Shepard Hardware Co., American. Mechanical Uncle Sam coin bank, ca. 1886. The work depicts the American patriotic persona of “Uncle Sam” atop a platform with his hand outstretched above a purse. When a small button is pressed on the platform just behind the umbrella, the figure’s arm drops a coin into the purse, which opens, and his mouth open. Height: 11 1/8 in x width: 5 in x depth: 4 in.