Coin banks have a long history. Archeologists had discovered coin banks in ancient tombs, and European toy makers offered toy banks in the 16th century when they were described as "boxes of potters clay wherein boyes put their money to keepe." In America, the circulation of hard currency in the 18th century spurred the popularity of coin banks for children. Using mass-production methods developed in the mid-1800s, manufacturers offered some savings banks made of wood, glass, pottery, or composition. But most banks were made of cast iron and tinplate.