1915 Bank Sign

[greenacres]

My son dropped this off to me today. I think it's bronze. I still need to really inspect it. I have been so busy and haven't been around. I've never heard the bank. It could have crashed in the 20's. I still have to do more research.

[greenacres]

I think and could be wrong, that "The Marian Bank" was one of the first banks to join the "Federal Reserve". Not exactly the one we know today. It was more where banks united and people could cash there checks where ever there was a "Federal Reserve Bank".

https://fraser.stlouisfed.org/docs/publications/FRB/1910s/frb_051915.pdf

[frogpatch]

Back when banks looked like stone fortresses, they had sign like that by the door. As they were taken over the signs came off.

[greenacres]

It's heavy as heck! Still really haven't found the bank, lol. Yes in Philadelphia some still hang. I think it's bronze.

[mart]

I have never seen one that was not bronze !!  You got that right !!

[greenacres]

Hi mart, what is it brass?

[mart]

No !!  I said I have never seen one that was NOT bronze !!  So, yours is bronze !!

[greenacres]

Lol, sorry mart. Is there value besides the material it's made of. Where would I find out?

[KC]

Yepper, it should be bronze.

There are still Marion Banks all over the US.  Even one here in Texas.  They were independently owned Banks that received charters from the respective States that they were/are in.  Many were established in the late 1890's to early 1900's.

I know there is one here in San Antonio, Texas that was chartered in 1906 and is still alive and thriving!

[mart]

I looked and found a reference to one bank with that spelling !!  KC,, did you notice that this one is spelled MARIAN,, you spelled it MARION,, wonder if they are different banks or if there was a casting error and they misspelled the name !! So maybe this one was never used !!

[rottenapple]

it looks like it was fastened to something at one time judging by the shinier spots around the hole where it gets fastened 

[greenacres]

Yes clean near the screw area. Wrote to the history museum today. I can't find anything spelled this way. Searched the web. I started to think was this from Philadelphia. I do think so,  but need to know more
.

[fancypants]

According to bankencyclopedia.co m , there is/was a Marian State Bank @ 401 Fairmount Ave. , Philadelphia , Pa. 19123 .

Looks like it is/was in the middle of a series of bank acquiring moves , around April 20 , 1992 , if indeed it's the same institution as the one on your item ?

[KC]

The one in Philadelphia went under and the owners are being sued for over-extending the bank which wasn't FDIC insured!

[rottenapple]

sounds like an interesting piece....i love hearing stories behind the items