Kovels’ Top 20 list of antiques and collectibles is based on the results of hundreds of thousands of searches that took place on Kovels.com. During October 2014, collectors were searching for prices of: 1) Fenton, 2) Coca-Cola, 3) Occupied Japan, 4) Stoves, 5) McCoy, 6) Wedgwood, 7) Bavaria, 8) Depression Glass, 9) Delft, 10) Capo-Di-Monte, 11) Lamps, 12) Pepsi Cola, 13) Hull, 14) Banks, 15) Belleek, 16) Scales, 17) Satsuma, 18) Trunks, 19) Haeger, and 20) Red Wing.

Banks (No. 14) are always on collectors’ minds and appear often on Kovels’ October Top 20 list. Collectors are delighted to see desirable or rare banks pop up at auction as downsizing collectors sell their treasures. Still banks (non-mechanical) from a single 40-year collection of toys and advertising were sold November 7 at a James D. Julia auction in Maine. Pictured is a rare painted version of a “Palace” still bank from the sale that went for $18,368. It was made about 1890 by Ives, Blakeslee & Co. of Connecticut. Ives made some of the finest iron mechanical toys and banks, but few still banks. The Palace bank is usually found with a japanned finish. This painted version is in excellent condition and exceptionally rare. Another bank depicting a black fisherman is part of an amazing collection that will be auctioned on November 14 and 15 at Bertoia Auction Co. in New Jersey. The 1880s bank has a pre-sale estimate of $225,000 to $250,000 – it’s one of only two known that have the original fish dangling at the end of the fisherman’s line.

Since the late 1860s fun and fascinating banks have been made to encourage children to save money. While prices for mechanical banks can be thousands of dollars, novice collectors can find still banks for less, even under $100. Look for banks that look like buildings, banks that work like cash registers, banks that advertise products or banks made of tin, glass or pottery.

Collectors who go to Kovels.com can learn the identifying features, marks and prices of antiques and collectibles. Kovels.com and the book, Kovels' Antiques and Collectibles Price Guide, list thousands of collectibles, including banks, in hundreds of categories that are described, edited, priced and pictured.