Identification of a Cast Iron Lion Still Bank (Lion with Tail Right)
Likely Manufacturer and Era of Production
The described cast iron lion bank, about 5 inches long and ~4-4.5 inches tall, with a two-piece molded body and coin slot, is very likely an early 20th-century American still bank produced by the A.C. Williams Company. Collector references (e.g. The Penny Bank Book by Andy & Susan Moore) note a “Lion, Tail Right” still bank made by A.C. Williams circa 1905-1931 (1). The Minneapolis Institute of Art’s catalog of toy banks also attributes a standing lion bank (tail curled to the right side) to A.C. Williams, dating it broadly to the 1905-1930 period (2). A.C. Williams, based in Ohio, was one of the major makers of cast iron banks in the early 1900’s, and this lion was part of their lineup during the 1910s-1920s. Contemporary sources often estimate its production in the 1910s or early 1920s (3).
Note: Some antique dealers or auction listings have occasionally attributed similar lion banks to other makers like Hubley (Pennsylvania) or Arcade Manufacturing (Illinois). For example, one 1910s gold-painted lion bank was listed as an “Arcade” piece but even that source noted it “appears to be an A.C. Williams” design (4). Likewise, others have marketed it as a Hubley lion of the 1910s (5). This confusion rises because multiple toy companies produced cast iron still banks around the same time, often with similar styles. However, the weight of evidence (lack of any Hubley maker’s mark, and inclusion in A.C. Williams reference catalogs) points to A.C. Williams as the likely manufacturer. Notably, these banks were unmarked, making firm attribution difficult (3), but collectors generally associate the “lion with tail right” bank with A.C. Williams’ range of circa 1905-1930 production.
Design Characteristics and Variants
The bank depicts a male lion standing on all fours with its tail curved around to the right side of its body (hence the collector nickname “Lion, Tail Right”). It is cast in two halves of iron joined by a single screw, leaving a faint seam line running vertically along the lion’s spine and underside. This construction matches the classic two-part mold method used by early 1900s toy makers. The coin slot is typically found on the top, generally between the lion’s shoulders or upper back (often described as on the “top of the lion’s head/ back”), allowing coins to be dropped inside (6). The overall sculpting shows a detailed mane and facial features. An original example in worn condition still clearly shows the molded mane strands, facial details (eyes, snout, paws), and a well-proportioned body (6). The casting quality on authentic early pieces is quite good, with a smooth surface and tight seams, reflecting the higher craftsmanship of the era (7)(8).
An antique cast iron lion still bank (circa 1905-1920s) in original gold/bronze paint. Note the two-part construction seam and the lion’s tail resting on its right hind leg, a defining feature of this model (1)(6).
In terms of size, collectors recognize that A.C. Williams produced this lion bank in (at least) two variants: a larger version roughly 6¼″ long by 5¼″ tall, and a slightly smaller version around 5″ long by ~4″ tall. The example you describe (≈5″ by 4.5″) likely corresponds to the smaller variant. In the Penny Bank Book, two versions are listed: “Lion, Tail Right” (a larger, heavy-maned lion) and “Lion, Fine-Haired Mane” (a somewhat smaller lion with a more finely detailed mane) (9). The “Fine-Haired Mane” lion is about 4⅞″ long and 3⅞″ tall (9), which is essentially the size you have, whereas the larger “Tail Right” lion is about 6¼″ by 5″ (often cited as the big version) (1). Both versions are otherwise similar in pose (standing four-square) and were painted in similar fashion. The key difference is in the sculpting of the mane (coarse heavy mane vs. finer hair detailing) and size. Both have the tail molded against the right hind leg. Neither version bears a maker’s mark, which is typical, as A.C. Williams did not mark their still banks (3). Period catalogs are scarce, but museum entries confirm the existence of the “Lion, Fine-Haired Mane” (c. 1920-1930) and “Lion, Tail Right” (c. 1905-1931) as products of A.C. Williams (10)(11).
Distinguishing Original vs. Reproduction Features
Cast iron banks (especially popular designs like animals) have been widely reproduced in the mid/late 20th century, so it’s important to differentiate an antique original from a later copy. Fortunately, the lion bank has several tell-tale signs:
- Casting Smoothness and Detail: Originals from the early 1900s tend to have a relatively smooth iron surface and crisp details, due to better metallurgy and finishing. Reproduction castings are often rougher or grainy in texture. Collectors note that “truly vintage cast iron pieces are well made and the casting is smooth,” whereas more recent reproductions “tend to be very rough to the feel” (8). In the context of lion banks, authentic examples have well-defined mane hair, facial features, and a generally smooth patina on the metal (aside from wear and casting seams). Repros made from sand-casting an existing bank often lose fine detail and have a pebbly surface. In fact, one guide cautions that “smooth is older and rough is newer” as a rule of thumb for cast iron banks (12).
- Seams and Fit: Antique banks were made with care so the two halves fit tightly. A genuine old lionbank will have a snug seam with no large gaps or misalignment between the halves. Reproductions, being cheaply made, often exhibit gapping or a poor fit at the seams (13). In your lion, the visible center seam itself is normal (that’s how the bank was made), but check that the halves align well. A wide or sloppy seam could indicate a later copy or poor-quality casting.
- Screw Type: Examine the screw that holds the halves together. Original early-1900s banks use a flat-head (slotted) screw, which on a well-preserved bank will sit flush with the surface. Many reproductions, especially mid-century ones, use Phillips-head screws or mismatched modern screws(14). If you see a Phillips (X-shaped) screw, it’s almost certainly a reproduction or at least has a replaced screw. Even if slotted, the profile of the screw can tell a lot, originals usually have an old steel screw whose slot is often slightly worn and which may be oxidized to match the patina. Newer screws might look too shiny or new (unless artificially aged). Placement: On known originals of the lion bank, the screw is typically on one side of the lion (often through the midsection). The Giamer Antiques example noted its screw was original and still holding the halves tightly (6).
- Interior and Metal Color: If you carefully open the bank (which collectors sometimes do by removing the screw), an original’s interior iron surfaces will usually be a dark, aged gray or even brownish from decades of oxidation. Freshly cast iron has a lighter gray appearance. One reference notes “old, unrusted cast iron is dark grey… new cast iron is a lighter grey” internally (15). Also, authentic 100+ year-old iron often has a certain weight and hardness; many originals feel quite heavy for their size (the 5″ lion weighs over 1 pound of iron (16)). Reproduction pieces can sometimes be lighter if the iron quality is inferior or hollow spots exist. That said, weight alone is not definitive, but an obvious lightness might be a red flag.
- Signs of Aging vs Artificial Wear: Original paint and metal wear tend to occur in logical places and with a smooth, natural character. High points, like the lion’s mane, ears, shoulders, and haunches typically show the most paint loss from handling and rubbing over time. The surfaces of authentic banks often feel satin-smooth where paint has worn off due to long-term handling (17). By contrast, reproductions are sometimes “distressed” deliberately, but the wear may appear coarse or in odd locations. For instance, if you see deep scratch marks or filed edges meant to simulate wear, or uniform paint chipping that doesn’t correspond to how a child would handle a bank, be cautious. Some fakes are even given an all-over rust to appear old; however, inside the bank they might still look new and shiny (forgers sometimes rust the interior too, but often a completely rust-coated interior is a tactic to hide new metal) (18). In short, look for authentic aging: genuine paint from the early 1900s may exhibit fine craquelure or alligatoring, and any rust will typically be in areas where paint was lost long ago (like edges and around the slot or screw).
- Dimensions: Reproduction castings made by molding an original will usually come out slightly smaller than the original (metal shrinks on cooling, and using an original as the pattern introduces an extra shrinkage). If your lion bank is significantly off in size from known originals (which are about 5″ or 6″ long depending on version), that could be a clue. However, small differences in measurement can occur due to how one measures the curved pose, so this is a secondary factor. In general, if your bank roughly matches the known size and proportions, that’s a good sign. (Collectors sometimes even trace the base outline of a suspect bank and overlay it on an authentic trace, reproductions often are a few percent smaller (15).)
In summary, an authentic early 1900s lion bank will have smooth cast iron with tight-fitting halves, a flush slotted screw, heavy weight, and naturally worn gold paint. Reproductions tend to be rougher, with looser seams, often wrong hardware, and a “fake aged” look. Given the description: gold tone paint, molded mane details, center seam, coin slot, no maker’s mark, it aligns very well with an original A.C. Williams lion bank. If the piece shows appropriate age and passes the above checks, it is likely an antique from the early 20th century rather than a later copy (12)(14).
Original Paint and Wear Characteristics
The typical original finish on these lion banks was a gold or bronze-colored paint. A.C. Williams in particular was known to use a gold paint on many of its toy banks (it was an economical paint that gave a “gilt” look). Over a century, this paint often oxidizes and collects dirt, yielding a darkened bronze or brownish patina. Collectors report that many surviving lions appear brown or dark gold until closely inspected “so soiled that it gained a dark patina, but you can still see the gold coloring underneath” (6). An untouched antique example will usually show significant paint loss on the raised areas. It’s normal to see the gold finish flaked or worn off on the muzzle, mane high points, ears, and along the edges of the legs, revealing the dull gray iron or a brown patina beneath. Minor surface rust might be present where paint wore off, but usually not deep corrosion if the piece was kept dry. Overall, “most [original lion banks] tend to have some paint loss,” as one appraiser noted, and a bit of paint loss is actually expected (it confirms the item wasn’t recently repainted) (3).
On genuine pieces, the paint will also often exhibit an old texture, sometimes slight cracking/crazing or just a very smooth worn-through edge where countless hands have touched it. For instance, an antique lion bank documented by Giamer Antiques retained all its original gold paint but very darkened, with general light wear and scratches, and a “dark patina over the years” that still shows gold in protected areas (19). That bank had no repaints and no repairs, just the kind of honest wear you want to see in a 100+ year-old toy (19).
It’s worth noting that some originals had painted details in addition to the gold base coat. Many early cast iron animal banks were given a touch of paint to highlight features – in the case of the lion, a small amount of red paint was often applied to the mouth and sometimes the eyes or tongue. One dealer offering an original lion bank noted it still had “red paint intact around [the] mouth and eyes” along with the gold finish (20). The Minneapolis Institute of Art’s catalog entry for a later variant (“Lion, Ears Up, Turnpin”, 1934) explicitly describes red coloration on the lion’s eyes and mouth (21). On many surviving examples, these red details have worn away or are very faint, so your bank might appear only gold/bronze now. If you see traces of reddish paint in the grooves of the mouth or eye area, that’s a good indicator of original paint. Reproductions sometimes ignore these small details or use brighter, non-worn paint that looks out of place.
In summary, an original lion bank of this style should present as golden-bronze in color with age-darkening, with paint wear on high points and possibly a few remaining hints of painted details (like red features) if not completely worn off. All original paint will show appropriate aging, it will not look fresh or overly glossy. The patina often appears smooth from handling, and any exposed iron may have a stable dark oxide layer. This contrasts with replicas that either have unnaturally bright “new” gold paint or an artificially rusted look. Always prefer an example with what appears to be old paint, even if worn, over one that looks newly painted. The presence of authentic wear not only helps prove the piece is antique, it also adds to the charm and collector value (22).
Catalog References and Similar Examples
The cast iron lion still bank was a popular item, and it appears in multiple collector guides and museum collections. As mentioned, the definitive reference The Penny Bank Book (1984) by Andy and Susan Moore lists this lion bank. In that book it is recorded under two entries: “Lion, Tail Right” (large version) and “Lion, Fine-Haired Mane” (small version). The authors did not assign a firm manufacturer in the book (at the time, the maker was listed as unknown/no date) (9), but subsequent research and collecting lore have strongly linked these to A.C. Williams. The larger “Lion, Tail Right” is cataloged as bank #758 in Moore’s book (23), and the smaller “fine mane” lion as bank #756 (9), both are rated “A” for availability in the book (meaning they were known to collectors, though not extremely common) (9). The inclusion in this classic reference confirms that these lion banks are recognized as authentic turn-of-the-century still banks.
Looking at period examples, the Minneapolis Institute of Art (MIA) holds several A.C. Williams banks in its collection, including the lion. Their catalog entries (accessible online) list a “Lion, Tail Right” still bank made by A.C. Williams, describing it as a big golden lion with prominent mane, dating circa 1905-1931 (11). They also list a “Lion, Fine-Haired Mane” variant, dating circa 1920-1930 (10). These entries corroborate the time frame and manufacturer. MIA even has the later 1930s lion (with ears up and a turnpin closure) which further illustrates the evolution by 1934 A.C. Williams produced a different lion bank model with a twist-lock(turnpin) instead of a screw, possibly to cut costs at the end of their bank production (24). That later model had a slightly cartoonish look (ears more pronounced) and definitely was painted with red mouth/eyes, but your described bank is the earlier, more naturalistic lion.
Collectors and auction records provide additional insight. Antique toy bank auctions (e.g., through LiveAuctioneers and similar venues) frequently include the A.C. Williams lion. For instance, one lot of cast iron banks noted two “Lion, Tail Right” banks plus one “Lion, Fine Haired Mane”, all identified as A.C. Williams circa 1905-1931 (25)(26). This shows that multiple examples exist in collections and that both variants are sought after. Values can vary, but these are generally modestly valued still banks (often in the range of $50-$150 depending on condition, original paint, etc., as they are not extremely rare). The key value factors are having the original paint (even if worn) and no damage or repairs.
To illustrate with a specific example: an original A.C. Williams lion bank sold by a collector had most of its original gold paint intact (with expected wear) and was described as “all original, no touch-up, tight seam, good amount of original paint, red detailing present,” measuring about 5¼″ long and 4″ tall (20). That piece was clearly of the same type as yours and was advertised unabashedly as a “Vintage, Original Cast Iron Lion Bank.” Another example from an online antiques dealer was heavily patinated, with nearly blackened surface, but identified as the gold-painted A.C. Williams lion (they even cited the exact page and figure in Moore’s Penny Bank Book) (6). Seeing these in old catalogs: while we may not have the original A.C. Williams sales catalog image here, the consistency of descriptions across many sources (estate sales, antique shops, reference books) leaves little doubt about the identification.
In summary, your 5″ gold/bronze cast iron lion still bank was most likely made by the A.C. Williams Co. around 1910-1920 (early 20th century). It exemplifies the “Lion, Tail Right” still bank found in antique penny bank collections (1). Its distinguishing original features two-part cast construction with a center screw, a smoothly cast detailed mane, and aged gold paint are characteristic of authentic A.C. Williams production and of the era. When compared to reproductions, an original will have smoother casting and a tight fit, with a slotted screw and genuinely worn paint (14)(12). Original paint should be a dulled gold with natural patina and possibly hints of red on facial details (20). Several similar examples are documented in collector guides and museum collections, reinforcing the identification of your piece as an early 1900s cast iron lion bank by A.C. Williams (sometimes attributed in trade to Arcade or Hubley, but almost certainly produced by A.C. Williams) (1)(4). This delightful “King of the Jungle” still bank would have been a child’s penny bank about a century ago, and surviving examples like yours provide a tangible link to the golden age of cast iron toys.
Sources:
- Moore, Andy & Susan. The Penny Bank Book (Schiffer Publishing, 1984), entry for Lion bank (No. 756/758) (9)(23).
- Bargain John’s Antiques – Lion, Tail Right cast iron bank description (A.C. Williams, 1905-31) (1).
- Minneapolis Institute of Art – Catalog of A.C. Williams still banks (Lion, Tail Right; Lion, Fine-Haired Mane, etc.) (10)(11).
- Vendio/Antique Cast Iron forum – discussion on authentic vs. reproduction cast iron banks (8)(13).
- EBay listing by Foxy’s Antiques – description of “Lion, Fine Haired Mane” bank and reproduction tips (7).
- Giamer Antiques – product description of antique gold-colored lion bank (original screw, paint, ref. to Moore’s book) (6)(19).
- “The Toys Time Forgot” shop – listing for original lion bank (dimensions, original gold and red paint details) (20).
- JustAnswer Antiques – appraisal noting AC Williams lion bank circa 1900-1920 and typical paint loss (3).
- LiveAuctioneers lot records – multiple A.C. Williams lion still banks, c. 1905-1930s (25(26).
Cates Auction (estatefresh) – notes on Arcade vs. A.C. Williams lion bank, original gold paint (4).
(1) Bargain John’s Antiques | Lion, Tail Right Coin Bank – Cast Iron – Bargain John’s Antiques
(2)(10)(11)(21)(24) artist:”A.C. Williams Company” | Mia
(3)(22) Identifying and Appraising Vintage Metal Lion Banks and Glassware
(4) Antique Arcade Gold Cast Iron Lion Bank – Cates Auction
srsltid=AfmBOooV7oajAlj39xKVrOlVxyOJcH3j76EoxqLYiA9KCPN0SnhhOlaK
(5) Hubley Cast Iron Lion Still Bank c. 1910’s FREE SHIPPING!
(6)(16)(19)(23) Antique Gold Colored Cast Iron Still Penny Bank Standing Lion With Tai – Giamer Antiques and Collectibles
https://giamerantiquesandcollectibles.com/products/antique-gold-colored-cast-iron-still-penny-bank-standing-lion-with-tail-right? srsltid=AfmBOorZJPG2Eu3oBntzd2jgpjEW58rQiPvMxf5QFw6GQXNSRRSOURDP
(7)(9)(12) eBay
http://itm.ebaydesc.com/itmdesc/390215110725?
(8)(13)(14)(15)(17)(18) Cast Iron Bank–Authentic or Repro?
(20) VINTAGE, ORIGINAL CAST IRON LION BANK – The Toys Time Forgot
(25) Large Ac Williams Cast Iron Lion Penny Coin Bank – LiveAuctioneers https://www.liveauctioneers.com/price-result/large-ac-williams-cast-iron-lion-penny-coin-bank/? srsltid=AfmBOoooRUXEf0VN5x9YseXHXnmb28xNyuxJAz7DO3v-D6A3EatrzIKt
(26) Sea Lion On Rocks Iron Bank – LiveAuctioneers https://www.liveauctioneers.com/price-result/sea-lion-on-rocks-iron-bank/? srsltid=AfmBOoqkOed4hoK5cVxY3sLdbYbpm4IYaPaeznGTO97RptLqWnlJQTMn