BOXES, COIN COLLECTING
Overview (PREPAYMENT)

Overview

Box, Coin Collecting  No. 1 and No. 1A
These were introduced just as the National Telephone company merged with the GPO in 1912.  The GPO modified the box slightly and it finally became the Box, Coin Collecting No. 1.  This was a flimsy box and can be forced open easily, so armoured cash boxes were installed positioned under the case.  Secured with a Key, Lock A.

The BCC No. 1A is used where a large cash compartment is required.  This unit comes with fixing screws, a Baseboard No. 5 and a Box, Cash No. 1A.  Secured with a Key, Lock A.

These boxes were used with a Telephone No. 1 in CB exchange areas or a Telephone No. 3 or 11 in LB/Magneto areas.

For more information on the BCC No. 1 click here
 

Box, Coin Collecting  No. 4
This coin box is used with table telephones on PBX circuits.  The lock and key are provided by the subscriber.  The unit comes complete with Baseboard and a Buzzer No. 6.
 

Box, Coin Collecting  No. 6
This coin box is used with wall telephones on PBX circuits.  The lock and key are provided by the subscriber.  The unit comes with fixing screws, a Box, Cash No. 4 and a Buzzer No. 6.  Secured with a Key, Lock B (Straight key slot).

For more information on the BCC No. 6 click here


Box, Coin Collecting  No. 7
This coin box is used in call offices and subscribers premises where a large cash box is required.  Secured with a Key, Lock A.  The unit includes a Baseboard No. 6 and a Box, Cash 1A.  Supersedes the BCC No. 1A.

Box, Coin Collecting  No. 8
Secured with a Key, Lock D (Curved key slot).

Box, Coin Collecting  No. 10
This coin box is used in Automatic Exchange areas and is similar to the BCC No. 1A, but with Veeder meter and window in door.  Secured with a Key, Lock D (Curved key slot).  The unit comes fixing screws, a Baseboard No. 5 and a Box, Cash No. 1.

For more information on the BCC No. 10 click here
 

Box, Coin Collecting  No. 13
The Box, Coin Collecting No. 13 was the original A&B coin mechanism and was introduced in 1924's.  Around the mid 1930's the Boxes, Coin Collecting No's 14, 16 and 17 were introduced and these were the second generation of the A&B model.

The main differences were that the BCC No.13 had a Bell Receiver and the Mechanism No. 13 connected via large plunger style connectors.  This setup was known as the Telephone No. 115 (CB), Telephone No. 119 (automatic) or Telephone No. 123 (Automatic).  All these used a separate Bellset No. 1.

A Box, Coin Collecting No. 13G as also used in areas where unscrupulous people blocked up the reject chute.  This had a modified lower font which was glazed so that any blockages could be seen by the user.

For more information on the BCC No. 13 click here
 

Box, Coin Collecting  No. 14
Introduced in 1930, the Box, Coin Collecting No. 14 used the Box, Coin Collecting No. 13 casings, but was fitted with the Mechanism No. 14, which had a completely different style of connector (see picture below).  Originally, this collection box would have been used in Kiosks with a Telephone No. 131 in Automatic areas.  From 1933 the Telephone No. 131 was replaced with a Telephone No. 218 and Bellset No. 30.

The Box, Coin Collecting No. 14A was introduced in 1930 for use in subscriber premises.  These used a Telephone No. 131 or a Telephone No. 182 and Bellset No. 24.  From 1933 these used the Telephone No. 218 on a wall bracket.

The year 1935 saw the introduction of the Box, Coin Collecting No. 14D, for telephone kiosks, which was used until the introduction of the 700 type payphones.  This box was used with a Telephone No. 238 (automatic areas) or No. 242 (CB areas) fitted on top of the left hand shelf.  An internal Bellset was also fitted, making the installation self contained.  For subscriber installations the Box, Coin Collecting No. 14E was used with same telephones except these were fitted on a metal wall bracket.

The Box, Coin Collecting No. 14G as also used in kiosk areas where unscrupulous people blocked up the reject chute.  This had a modified lower front which was glazed so that any blockages could be seen by the user.

Some BCC No. 14 and 16 were fitted with a cover over the coin slots called a Hood, Coin Slot, No. 1.  This was to stop the malicious insertion of foreign objects into the coin slots.

More information on the BCC No. 14 click here
 

Box, Coin Collecting  No. 16
These were introduced in 1933 in Magneto and CBS 1, 2 and 3 areas.  This used the shorted case.  Originally fitted with a Telephone No. 190, this was superseded with the Telephone No. 196, which was used with a Bellset No. 21, 29 or 31. 

The Box, Coin Collecting No. 16A was introduced in 1933 and this was used in Subscribers premises.

In 1935 the Box, Coin Collecting No. 16B superseded the Box, Coin Collecting No. 16 and used the full height case.  This allowed for an integral Bellset.  In the same year the Box, Coin Collecting No. 16C superseded the Box, Coin Collecting No. 16A and used the standard subscribers case.

More information on the BCC No. 16 click here
 

Box, Coin Collecting  No. 17
Two models of the Box, Coin Collecting No. 14 were introduced in 1949 as a trial and it not known if any were generally installed.  The differences were that the coin mechanism (Mechanism No. 17) had a flexible cord that connected to the Bellset, which allowed mechanism to be swung out for maintenance whilst remaining operational.  Box, Coin Collecting No. 17 replaced the Box, Coin Collecting No. 14D and the Box, Coin Collecting No. 17A replaced the Box, Coin Collecting No. 14E.

More information on the BCC No. 17 click here

Last revised: November 25, 2023