Birthday Pennies: houston, we have an odd one! lance's spaceman bank

Hi Woodsy on your birthday,

I've got a blast from the past for you. I was over at my Mom's and she still has in one of her curio cabinets, my astronaut bank! I got this in the early 70's when we lived up in Kalamazoo Michigan. 

It is about 6 inches tall and made of ceramic. Time and use have been rather kind to it as the only paint rub is on the visor and I recall that being there before we moved. 

On the other hand, time was not kind to the rubber plug that kept all the coins in. It has turned hard and brittle and I was afraid to even touch it due to the fragility of it. 

The only markings I could find on it was the Made In Japan sticker on the foot's underside. I have never seen another one of these and honestly have no idea if it came from our trip to the Kennedy Space Center or a local store. 

I thought I'd share this with you and the rest of the base and see if anyone else has had any sightings or knowledge of this "artifact".

Thanks!

Lance,

USA