The Hillerich & Bradsby
baseball bat coin banks were made from the 1950s through the
1980s. Both Player and team bats. The 10 bat team banks
were made in 1961 and later, the first year the leagues
expanded from 8 teams to 10. Separate banks were made
for the American & National Leagues. The
year(s) the banks were made could be figured out by the
teams featured on the bats. The bank pictured above can be
dated to the 1969-1971 era because 1969 was the first year
for the Kansas City Royals, and 1971 was the last year for
the Washington senators. When the leagues expanded to 12
teams in 1969 they continues to make the banks with 10
bats.
The coins were deposited through a slot at
the top. To empty the bank all the bats need to be
removed, then the top is turned and can be opened. The coin slot
reads American league for the corresponding bats, and the
National League banks are commonly found without any
markings.
