Antiques -> Decorative Arts -> Ceramics, Porcelain

Ceramic piggy banks have an interesting history. Why pigs, exactly, and not bank shapes or a tiny safe? Apparently, we use pigs because of language, and a simple mistake. The word “pygg” was an old English word for an orange clay commonly used to make jars, pots, dishes, and almost anything we use ceramic for today. Extra coins in a household were commonly dropped into a jar made from pygg. Language evolved over the next few hundreds years, and in the early 19th century when some English potters were asked to make pygg banks, they made banks shaped like pigs. They were a hit with customers, and the piggy bank was born—or so the most widely believed explanation says.

One other version of the origin of the ceramic piggy bank claims that a young boy in the early 20th century wanted to raise money to help lepers. He sold his pet pig and donated the money from the sale to help leprosy victims. His generosity caused people to call it the Pig Bank Movement, thus staring the name piggy bank. A church in Kansas bears a plaque commemorating the boy and his generosity, and the piggy bank in general.

Who hasn’t had a piggy bank at some point in his or her life? Ceramic piggy banks are popular items today, and are often given to children at birth or as a first birthday gift, as an heirloom and to foster the good habit of saving money for a rainy day. Silver-plated banks are often engraved with the child’s name and date of birth or some other milestone date when given as gifts. And often tradition has the gift-giver putting the first coin into the bank before giving it as a seed for future wealth.

The value of collectible ceramic piggy banks hinges on a number of things like the age, the condition, and the significance of the design or the bank itself (did it belong so someone noteworthy, or was it created by someone famous, for instance.) What kind of piggy bank you purchases depends on whether or not you’re interested in it as a collectible, or if it’s simply because you love the design.

Vintage ceramic piggy banks can be called vintage simply because they’re not in a currently popular style. Be sure it’s not just labeled as vintage, but collectible as well, if you’re looking for an investment piece to add value to your collection. The uniqueness of the bank, and the quality and condition all figure into the price and the value.

Very old ceramic piggy banks will often have cracks, chips or crackling. If you can find a very old bank intact, you’ve probably found a nice collector piece. Just be sure to ask the seller, whether online or in person, if repairs have been made, if any chips have been glued, or if any type of re-glazing has been done to the bank. You’ll want one as close to its original condition as possible.

Photo Credits: 23dingenvoormusea

Originally posted 2008-10-29 14:00:07. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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When you get started with collecting currencies of any kind, there are different things that you are likely to be concerned with. One of the main things that people will be concerned with is the kinds of currency that they have as well as what the value is. Of course, if you are into collecting old coins and paper money, you will likely look for ways that you will be able to add to your collection without having to spend a lot of money. If you know where to look, this will pose less of a problem than you think.

There are a few different ways that you will be able to get the kinds of deals that you are looking for on old coins and paper money. One of the first ways is to find what you are looking for at rummage sales. Additionally, you can look at estate sales to get a good deal. One other way that you might be able to get a good deal is to attend currency auctions. Any of these methods can help you to get the kinds of currencies that will make a great addition to your collection.

Making Discoveries at Rummage Sales

There are many times when people will try to get rid of things that they have been holding on to for some time. Some people will come across some old coins and paper money that they collected years ago. If they were collecting for fun rather than for profit, they might not even know what they have. This will allow you to be able to select something which might be worth a lot. Best of all, because of the very nature of these sales, you will be able to get what you are looking for at far less than its value.

Saving Money at Estate Sales

Estates are auctioned off all of the time. You can attend the auctions and look for old coins and paper money. This will allow you to be able to buy something which was not even being considered as a collector’s piece. You will be able to get the currency at far less than what you will normally be able to get it for. The only way that you will possibly lose value on the piece is if there is another collector in the auction with you.

Getting a Deal at an Auction

There are great collecting shows which will come to town from time to time. Part of what they will have at some of these includes a currency auction. You will be able to place bids which start far below value for old coins and paper money. This is done to raise money for charity and other causes. While it is possible that you will be able to get a great value on the pieces, it is a good feeling that you will be helping to give money to a good cause.

Photo Credits: Homini:)

Originally posted 2011-07-01 03:15:25. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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