Contemporary Plastic Toy Cash Registers

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Durham 1977
My Very First Toy Cash Register!

This Durham register dating from 1977 was one of the toy cash registers that I played with as a child, as well as the first register of my collection which I started in 1984. I bought it at Best Buy in San Diego because I recognized it from my childhood and it resonated with my inner child. 

It’s particularly interesting historically because it is quite possibly the very first toy cash register to signal the electronic age. It’s not actually electronically digital like contemporary toys are, but the battery lights up the numbers when a key is pressed. It also has a flat front which is similar to electronic type registers. An interesting note is that unlike contemporary electronic toys, it doesn't have an automatic turnoff, so if the kids leave it on - the batteries just wind on down. 

This exact register is not actually the register of my childhood nor is it the actual first register of my collection. For some idiotic reason I stupidly gave that one away when I was doing a purge a few years ago when I realized that eBay had rendered much of my former collection worthless. Stupid stupid stupid! So, I was absolutely thrilled to find this one Mint in Box on eBay for about $75. The box is in so-so condition, but the toy itself is in absolutely pristine condition - even better than the one I bought in 1984 which had sustained sun damage. 

Thumbnails open up to full size pictures

Pink Mini

I don't know what set this item came from but I think it has great detailing for being as tiny as it is.  

This beauty wins a best design award for its purple color and for how it opens up into a child's nursery (see below). What really clinches the deal is that in the nursery there is a teeny tiny cash register which of course makes no logical sense, but appealed to the jester in me. Bluebird toys, Swindin England, 1994, Made in China.

*A Top Ten Favorite

Sunbeam/Toytown made these little toy registers. What I find bizarre about them is that they're quite flimsy, and didn't even hold up to my gentle handling. I can't imagine what good they'd do for a child, not to mention they have many parts which fall off, and are swallowing hazards. They're cute though and they have nice contrasting colors. The Sunbeam ones are made in Hong Kong, and the Toytown is made in Great Britain. It has a metal backing.

This wind up coin bank style was very popular for a few years. This reproduction (ie a current model) allows you to put a coin in the "mouse" to make him run around the circle and deposit the coin into the bank. This is plastic on top and metal on the bottom. Later versions of this bank are entirely plastic. I also own a one of a kind Christmas version with a deer that runs around the circle.

Not particularly remarkable in any way, but colorful and cute. I love the tiny pink one. These usually come from sets such as My Little Pet Shop. The black one is also sold in dollhouse stores, and says on the back: "50's Club, Hello Street, 1988, Made in Taiwan.".  

Kitty Mini

This register has charm because of its small size, simple design, and the cat drawn on the front (always my favorite). Not fancy, but very clean and a classic design for toddlers. Tomy, Made in Thailand.

Salt & Pepper Shakers

Who could resist a salt and pepper shaker cash register? Not me! The two parts of the drawer pull out and can be filled. Made in USA - how rare is that? Only two others are made here.

Transparent Savings

This is my very first purchase on eBay in 1999. I was so thrilled! The unique feature is the transparency so you can see how much money you've saved.  I've only seen it one other time since 1999 so it's quite rare.

Avon Shampoo

Whatever possessed Avon to make a shampoo bottle in the shape of a cash register is beyond me. While the item itself is unremarkable (this one still has the shampoo in it), the box is truly remarkable. I cannot recall the artist's name, but she was hugely popular throughout the 1980's. I included the box sides and top so you could check it out. Please e-mail me if you know the artist's name. 

KB Toys Talking

A small and smart little toy. Press the Total key and it says, "Thank you for shopping at KB!" Press the Talking key and it says, "Can I help you?" Even the tiny scanner works. 1998, Made in Japan.

Zillionaire

The design of this little one is nothing to rave about, but who could resist the name Zillionaire? On the back it says, "This toy is a 'Good Thing'". 2000, Made in Thailand.

Contemporary

This little one is for the younger set, and features the most unusual artistic decoration of all - a picture of itself on the front. Escher would have liked this. Nice curvy style adds to its charm. MegCos, China.

Hand Grabber

This simple bank is of the "hand grabbing the coin" variety. Instead of the usual bright colored graphics, this one features low key flowers on the side. Made in Hong Kong.

Traditional

This is a typical "old fashioned" style cash register with a rounded front. I like the little grocery items like fish that pop up when making a purchase. Made in Hong Kong.

The only really cool thing about this item is that it's hot pink. Obviously an import as the vast majority of American made toys are made in primary colors. Other than that it's not really anything unusual. (you can tell I like pink from my website colors). Made by Do Ma.

I bought the Target cash register because I'm a Target fan. When I saw the baby version I was thrilled! How cute is that? Both by Battat, China.

This is not unique in any way, but it's a lovely example of the traditional cash register design with the rounded front. It's quite pretty. Blue Box, Singapore. 

This was made by Ohio Art of England in 1984. It was the second cash register of my collection, which I bought at K-Mart the very year it came out. This is the earliest example of a toy cash register with credit card capabilities that I am aware of. 

More details on this remarkable and unique toy.

If I was a parent, I'd toss this thing out the window because the "Wacky Sounds" are loud, annoying, and endless including the store clerk saying "eyow!". Kids probably love them. It looks like a "character" register but in fact the little guy is basically a grocery store clerk who rotates and waves at you. The green color is most unusual for a children's toy, and it features 1-2-3 buttons which open up Apple, Banana and Grape pop ups, the latter which looks more like Cherries which would make a heck of a lot more sense  (or possibly grape) pop ups. The coins are cool because they match the fruit and colors of the register, but also because each one has two holes in it. I haven't figured the holes out yet. 2003, Made in China .

Enesco Electric Mouse Cash Register

This is what you might call an adult novelty. The box still carries the original price tag of $240.00 from JC Penney, and it sells for that and more on eBay today. I lucked out on this one and got it for less, in excellent condition including the box. What is truly unique about this item is that it's electric, the only one of my collection. When turned on, the drawer goes in and out, the crank turns, and the register "numbers" go up and down so you can see the mice behind them. I saw this for sale at a Hallmark store Circa 1994 for about $150 and didn't buy it, something which I would regret for ten years. I'm thrilled to have it now in my collection! Here are some more detailed photos.

Close up of Register Tabs

Close up of Drawer

Box Top

Box Side 1

Box Side 2

Box Side 3

Box Bottom with Pricetag

This extremely rare register was made by the Western Stamping Company which made mostly register type banks. I like this one because it has detailed art on the front as well as an unusual pinkish orange color. The mint and still attached coins are a conundrum because they are marked Tom Thumb. So either they came from another toy or possibly the Tom Thumb insignia was owned by Western Stamping at that time. There's nothing on the box regarding this. I'm estimating the date to be circa 1970's because of the clothing and hairstyles, as well as the paneled walls in the photos.

Coins side 1

Coins Backside

Box front

Box Side 1

Box Side 2

Although I generally don't go for modern digital registers I couldn't resist this beauty for it's bizarre mix of the digital age calculator and scanner with the traditional heritage reflected in the shape and relief. That and the fact that it's nearly a foot high, bigger than any other toy cash register I've seen.