Post Office Savings Bank money box

Date Added: 18 February 2009 Year: 1940 Institution Name: dnhhl Cat No: ◀ | 2004_025_023 | ▶ Picture No: 6773

Metal post office savings bank in the shape of a small book, with a green cover. Coin slot and holes for notes in base, keyhole on long side. Contains a sixpence. This was in the old Dornoch post office as an exhibit while it was used as a tourist and admin office by the Highlands of Scotland Tourist Board.

Dimensions: Height 118mm - Width 75mm thickness 21mm

23 Comments

I have one of these that belonged to my father does anyone know where I can obtain a key to open it.
Regards Linda Comment left on 23 January 2011 at 13:01 by Linda Baldwin

I worked on a Post Office counter in the early 1980's. We held a key there and to the best of my knowledge a personal key was not available. The idea behind it was that you took your full money box to the counter. It was opened for you and counted. The money was then paid into your national savings bank book. Comment left on 05 February 2011 at 14:23 by Phil Everall

I have one of these money boxes in a gold colour. Comment left on 13 February 2011 at 13:27 by YVONNE KEARLEY

I have a similar box possibly later belonged to my Grandmother, this one has a plaque rivetted to the front. My local locksmith has just made me a key, with very little trouble as it is a basic design Comment left on 10 May 2011 at 18:06 by Ray Murphy

Hi there could you tell me how much the locksmith charged you to make the key as I also have a few boxes and would love some keys Comment left on 13 July 2011 at 18:43 by Carol White

I also have a selection of these Boxes, one with a silhouette of King George 1V and the Queen so guess it was a 'Coronation' special issue. I also have an oval shape box from an earlier time? I also wish to get a Key cut to fit all? Any help please? Comment left on 13 February 2012 at 09:15 by Michael Dwyer

As per my earlier comment my locksmith charged me Â£10.00 to manufacture a key which works perfectly. I do not however know if all boxes are identical, he made the key from the box as I did not have a pattern Comment left on 17 February 2012 at 07:52 by Ray Murphy

Hello. Clearing out the loft with my Mum and Dad this morning we came across this. We think it belonged it my Great Grandma. It's full of coins and we have no key. Any suggestions on what I should do with it? Worth anything? Sheryl Comment left on 21 April 2012 at 16:42 by Sheryl Gribben

Dear all
I have seen a few requests for keys to open the Post Office savings book, I have a couple of keys that may do the trick. If you want to write to me alphaone25@yahoo.co.uk I may be able to help. Comment left on 02 November 2012 at 14:12 by Peter

Further to Phil Everll's comment I too worked on a PO counter in the 80s. If you pay a visit to your main PO counter and ask the counter manager to help, he should really still have a key to fit your box.
Comment left on 28 December 2012 at 14:41 by Tony Westcott

How much do you guys think a post office money box with the original key might be worth? Comment left on 20 April 2013 at 23:46 by Maria

Hi, If anyone knows how to obtain a key or even a pattern of a key for the book savings box, I would be really grateful. All the best BOB

Comment left on 06 May 2013 at 12:16 by Robert King Please see previous comments for ideas Administrator

I still use my savings box. My local post office gave me their key. I save 20p pieces and the box will hold Â£25. I am the only person in my area who uses a box, but the Post office staff know where to come if they need the key. Comment left on 07 May 2013 at 20:31 by Marilyn Crothers

I have four of these boxes. One in mint condition still in its original cardboard cover. They all had a serial number etched on the top. I used to save my pennies - don't ever remember having any notes for the slots though! then you took them to the Post Office, and the money went straight into your Savings Book. I would love to know if they are worth anything. My kids broke the original key trying to open one. Comment left on 09 June 2013 at 20:07 by Ann Cornelius

I have one too. Found after the loss of my 93 yr old Mum. It's green with brass edges and still has the original cardboard outer box with post office logo etc.
I can see coins inside. Will try my main post office for a key.
I too would be interested in the history and any value.
Comment left on 14 June 2013 at 00:45 by Colin Young I believe that the boxes were in use from the 1940s. You saved your money in the boxes and then took it to your local Post Office who opened the box with their key and added the money saved to your savings account. There do appear to be quite a lot of them still around Administrator

Seems that loads of us are keeping these boxes for sentimental reasons! However, I would like to sell mine, as they are now classed as "clutter", also, they are my memories, and not anyone else in the family would be interested. It doesn't seem that they are worth that much. Comment left on 14 June 2013 at 13:58 by Ann Cornelius

I am a USPS employee and I think I found one of these so called master keys? Can anyone show me a picture of an original one? I would be interested in buying one of those cool boxes..no one has shown the keyhole? Is it like a clock key? Comment left on 23 August 2013 at 20:09 by Kelly Robinson

No, it isn't like a clock key - it had a stubby thick handle and a metal piece at the end to do the unlocking. Not a very complicated "tool". Comment left on 24 August 2013 at 12:01 by

Reference the last comment - now added name and e mail, sorry! Comment left on 24 August 2013 at 15:51 by Ann Cornelius

I have made a key which fits both TSB and post office moneyboxes. It is a single lever which operates a sliding mechanism inside. The mechanism moves 2 retaining lugs, 1 at either end, to enable the lid to open. Comment left on 21 October 2014 at 11:37 by Barry Rimmington

I have a metal one. No key, how much are they worth? Comment left on 10 March 2015 at 06:08 by Maria Pender

These money boxes are very common and can be found at every antique/collectors fair's.they are a great piece of social history - then we saved now we borrow. Expect to pay around Â£5-Â£40 depending on condition Comment left on 16 August 2019 at 16:52 by

Keys available in ebay came with keyring and instructions for safe opening £7.50 key fits all PO boxes Comment left on 26 May 2022 at 00:15 by Paul

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