kdf-wagen.de

by **Hacksaw-BoB** » 31.03.2009, 06:02

GEOBRA KdF SAVERS BANK - SPARKASSE

There were special German tin registering coin banks (sparkasse) made with a lithographed KdF Wagen design on the sides, that would keep track of 5 and 10 Reichspfennig coin deposits into the bank (100 Reichspfennig = 1 Reichsmark). A 5 or 10 Reichspfennig coin was placed in the coin slot on top of the bank and the lever pushed forward. There was a window on the bank indicating the amount of coins that had been deposited. When 5 Reichsmarks were accumulated, the banks door blew open automatically and the coins tumbled out. With the coins gathered together, a KdF savers stamp could then be purchased. Shown here is the not too commonly found of the four versions of the Savers Bank that was produced by Georg Brandstaetter or GEOBRA in the late 1930s and early 1940s. This GEOBRA KdF Savers Bank was bought from a private estate sale in Potsdam, Germany (former East German town near Berlin). The bank was heavy with coins when purchased and a spring hook was used to pick the lock on the front door to open the bank. Amazingly and to what a huge surprise as the bank was full of old German coins with the dates ranging from 1937 to 1943. All the zinc and brass coins were in nice condition after being stored away all those years and had the German wartime eagle with swastika on them. Time had really stood still for this amazing discovery. There were a total of 64 coins that added up exactly to the 4 Reichsmarks and 60 Reichspfennig inside the bank as indicated on the MK-PFG window on the Bank. WOW !! Truly an awesome piece of history here especially with the newest coins being dated 1943 and who knows what may have happened to the original owner of the bank or reason to stop saving for that KdF Wagen?

HACKSAW BoB

by **Devin** » 02.04.2009, 08:36

Wow, that is super cool! I have three boxes and two of them have coins in them - how did you pick the lock? All three are different - I was always unsure of the total number of versions, four or five? And what do the other versions look like? (there is a picture of the three I have in the 'models' section)

by **Hacksaw-BoB** » 02.04.2009, 22:42

Hi Devin,

Take a look at the photo of the GEOBRA bank door to see the lever and spring. If you use a spring hook or Xacto knife carefully between the bank front and door to pull the lever back, the bank door will open.

Here are some photos of the Volkswagen Savers Banks produced by GEOBRA. As you can see in the photos, STYLES 1, 2 and 3 are the KdF Wagen Savers Banks produced between 1938 and 1940. The STYLE 1-REVERSE A bank is the rarest of them all. The STYLE 4 GEOBRA Savers Bank with the red VW on the front is a post war production from 1950-1956. This bank is always called a KdF era bank which it is not. GEOBRA produced this bank for the export market as well and that is why you see the Schlilling, Lire and Franc markings on the banks. The lithograph on the front of this bank is found with variation shades in the colors and the VW is seen from red to orange. This bank is the most commonly found as it was produced in quantities in the early 1950s.

Hacksaw BoB

by **bugbug_be** » 03.04.2009, 09:31

hereby I proudly show my 4 savers banks, 3 Geobra and 1 Michael Seidel. :roll:

2 are filled with old coins: 20 shilling and 49 Deutche Marks ... sadly they are not all from aroud 1939, but much younger ones... :oops:

Tine

by **Devin** » 03.04.2009, 18:11

Bob, excellent pics and explanation! So there are four GEOBRA boxes (including one post-war), there is the Michael Seidel, and then there is also this other one (see pic one: the red one in the upper left corner)(that pic isn't mine, nor is the box. I found the pic some years ago on thesamba)

First pic is not mine, but is a great pic!
Second pic is my three boxes. I haven't tried picking the lock yet but will (and will let you know what I find...)

by **Hacksaw-BoB** » 03.04.2009, 23:53

Hi Devin,

Yes, please let us know what you find in the banks and please make a couple of photos.

The German tin toy company Michael Seidel also made many styles the toy banks and 3 of the styles were of the KdF Wagen. The SEIDEL KdF Savers Banks are not too common and the red and green face ones are seldom found. The lithograph design on the SEIDEL Style 3 KdF Bank is very nice.

Hacksaw BoB

by **Rick** » 15.04.2009, 00:13

Devin wrote: I found the pic some years ago on thesamba)

Hi Devin,
Wow, was I surprised when I saw the picture you posted ....... it's not my photo work, but it is my KdF Bank display. It was taken about 10 years ago during a get together at a friends house. Someone who was there that day must haven taken the picture you have. Here is a shot I took that day of the whole display. You can't see the banks very well, but at least it clears up any curiosity you may have had about it. Thanks for posting it!

............. Rick