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How to Empty a Coin Bank With Only One Opening

People sometimes refer to dipping into their savings as "breaking open the piggy bank." This phrase comes from the original design of a coin bank. According to Piggy Bank World, the piggy bank gets its name from a clay used during the Middle Ages called "pygg," which was used to create jars. If you own an older piggy bank, you may find some difficulty in emptying it out, as it usually only has one opening. The traditional way to open these piggy banks is to break it open, which, with some preparation, is a safe and simple procedure.

Instructions

- 1
  Spread newspaper across the floor. It is best to do this on a hardwood floor, but if you only have carpeting, lay out a few sheets of newspaper to cover more space.
- 2
  Wrap your piggy bank very loosely in newspaper, ensuring no large gaps show in the paper. This protective layer of newspaper is going to contain any broken pieces when you break the bank open.
- 3
  Place your wrapped piggy bank in the center of your newspaper-covered floor. Hold the piggy bank still with one hand, and raise a hammer a few inches above the bank. You do not want to hit the bank with so much strength that the entire thing shatters. Tap the bank forcefully with the hammer. If it does not break the first time, repeat this action with slightly more force. You want it to break into a few large pieces instead of many small pieces.
- 4
  Unwrap the newspaper covering the bank pieces, and spread it out. Carefully remove the broken pieces of the bank, and collect all your coins.
- 5
  Throw out the newspaper and the broken pieces of the bank.
- 6
  Sweep the area with a broom and dustpan to ensure that no broken pieces remain on your floor. If you find an area with small broken pieces, wet a paper or cloth towel, and carefully pick up them up.

Coin Collecting