This is "Professor Pug Frog's Great Bicycle Feat", a cast-iron bank manufactured by J. & E. Stevens Company of Cromwell, CT in the late 1800s. It features Mother Goose on one side and a circus performer on the other. When a coin is placed on the rear wheel of Professor Pug Frog's bicycle and the crank is turned, the bicycle rotates and drops the coin in the basket of the circus performer and thus into the bank.
The important question here is: Is it an original or a reproduction? It's very hard to judge online and without a hands-on evaluation by a professional near you (which I advise you to do) but there are some clues that might give an indication. First, examine the screws carefully. Genuine vintage cast iron banks will use flat-head screws that appear to be suitably aged, never shiny, rounded, or Phillips-head screws. The one I can see in the photos appears to meet the requirement of original, but you provided no shot of the bottom so see what you find there.
Also, vintage cast-iron will have a noticeably earthy smell when wet which is absent on modern reproductions. Note that rust impacts the value a great deal so be certain to dry the bank VERY well if you decide to test this. Exposed vintage cast-iron is very dark (nearly black) while newer cast iron is more silvery, and since the underside appears to be very dark that's another point in your favor. Vintage cast toys typically have smoother edges than newer ones and again it looks like you have another positive indicator. None of this proves absolutely that the item is original, however, since I'm only going by the photos provided.
What's it worth? If it's original it's probably worth $3000-5000 at book value. If it's a reproduction it might get $50-100. Since there is such a large difference in value please, take this item to a local appraiser or museum near you for a hands-on examination and let us know what you find out!
Re: Professor pugs cast iron bank
This is "Professor Pug Frog's Great Bicycle Feat", a cast-iron bank manufactured by J. & E. Stevens Company of Cromwell, CT in the late 1800s. It features Mother Goose on one side and a circus performer on the other. When a coin is placed on the rear wheel of Professor Pug Frog's bicycle and the crank is turned, the bicycle rotates and drops the coin in the basket of the circus performer and thus into the bank.
The important question here is: Is it an original or a reproduction? It's very hard to judge online and without a hands-on evaluation by a professional near you (which I advise you to do) but there are some clues that might give an indication. First, examine the screws carefully. Genuine vintage cast iron banks will use flat-head screws that appear to be suitably aged, never shiny, rounded, or Phillips-head screws. The one I can see in the photos appears to meet the requirement of original, but you provided no shot of the bottom so see what you find there.
Also, vintage cast-iron will have a noticeably earthy smell when wet which is absent on modern reproductions. Note that rust impacts the value a great deal so be certain to dry the bank VERY well if you decide to test this. Exposed vintage cast-iron is very dark (nearly black) while newer cast iron is more silvery, and since the underside appears to be very dark that's another point in your favor. Vintage cast toys typically have smoother edges than newer ones and again it looks like you have another positive indicator. None of this proves absolutely that the item is original, however, since I'm only going by the photos provided.
What's it worth? If it's original it's probably worth $3000-5000 at book value. If it's a reproduction it might get $50-100. Since there is such a large difference in value please, take this item to a local appraiser or museum near you for a hands-on examination and let us know what you find out!