Date: 1963
Country of Origin: United States of America
Dimensions:
Overall: 15.24 x 4.45 x 13.34cm (6in. x 1 3/4in. x 5 1/4in.)
Materials:
Cardboard
This is an original box for a John F. Kennedy memorial bank created by Astro Manufacturing, a company founded in 1957 by John and Steven Berzac, two brothers who had formerly worked at Duro Manufacturing (making space-themed mechanical banks). Created to memorialize the President who was remembered by many as an advocate for spaceflight, this bank contained in this box may well have used the plans for a Kennedy half dollar as its inspiration. Unlike the mechanical banks that had also been designed by the Berzacs, this Kennedy memorial bank was a simple still bank with a slot in the top for the deposit of coins and a locked hatch in the base for their removal.
Raymond Reines donated this bank to the Museum in 2011.
Gift of Raymond R. Reines. Dedicated to the Berzac Family, in honor of Team NASA.
