Coin Bank

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Object Details

Description

In the late 1860s and early 1870s, a faction of the Democratic party know as Tammany Hall dominated New York City politics. The notoriously corrupt machine was led by Boss William Tweed, who ultimately ended up in prison for stealing millions of dollars from city contracts. Part of the scam involved the creation of Tammany Banks to embezzle funds, which caused a run on the banks in 1871, as Tweed’s empire came crashing down. This object satirizes the seemingly unending corruption of political machines like Tammany Hall.

Credit Line

Ralph E. Becker

date made

1873

ID Number

PL.227739.1872.X02

catalog number

227739.1872.X02

accession number

227739

Object Name

Bank

Physical Description

brown, beige, black (overall color)

metal, iron (overall material)

Measurements

overall: 5 1/2 in x 3 1/2 in x 4 1/4 in; 13.97 cm x 8.89 cm x 10.795 cm

See more items in

Political History: Political History, Campaign Collection

Government, Politics, and Reform

American Democracy: A Great Leap of Faith

Exhibition

American Democracy

Exhibition Location

National Museum of American History

Data Source