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18th October 2022 - Richard Philips The Buck Stops Here - A History of Moneyboxes
Biggar Probus Club met for its second meeting of its autumn session on 18
October 2022.
We welcomed back
Richard Phillips from Penicuik, who gave us his latest presentation on
“ The Buck Stops Here – A History of
Money Boxes”.
Richard’s interest in money boxes has developed from his passion for
locks and security - he has previously spoken to us on these subjects.
The earliest known moneyboxes found by archaeologists in Britain date from the
second century BC - these are flint
balls with natural holes in them, inside which gold coins were secreted. Even
earlier pottery containers were made by the Greeks and Romans to store coins
safely.
By the Middle Ages metal safes were being used to store valuable items including
coins and more portable versions became the money boxes we are familiar with.
Until the 19th century they were mainly used for safe storage of
wealth, but they then evolved as an advertising vehicle for banks, building
societies and other businesses, and into the 20th century they became a way of
encouraging children to save money.
Today’s moneyboxes have evolved from mechanical boxes to incorporate electronic
combination locks. They include commemorative and novelty items and, perhaps
more familiarly, the home banks issued by building societies and banks.
Part of the story
is social, in particular it charts the changing position of children in the
family; and part it is technological, showing how the arrival of new materials
and production methods takes forward the development of everyday objects.
Richard illustrated these themes with an extensive collection of photos and
moving images.
Richard brought
several moneyboxes from his own collection, some of which had working mechanisms
which were demonstrated and examined by the audience. This was a fascinating
presentation of a subject we often overlook because of its familiarity.
The next meeting is on Tuesday 1 November in Biggar
Municipal Hall at 10.00 when our speaker will be Roy Johnstone on the Rise and
Fall of Napoleon. All are welcome |