Piggy banks

[snopes]

Comment: I got this in an email of "true things" and i just think it sounds too made up.

Q: Why are many coin banks shaped like pigs?

A: Long ago, dishes and cookware in Europe were made of a dense orange clay called "pygg". When people saved coins in jars made of this clay, the jars became known as "pygg banks." When an English potter misunderstood the word, he made a bank that resembled a pig. And it caught on.

[Troberg]

I've always assumed that, at least around here, pork in various forms were always part of big celebrations, especially Christmas (and its precursors). In other words, it becomes a symbol for "save now so you can have fun later".

It's also a fat animal, and fat was, at that time, considered a sign of wealth.

[chillas]

For what it's worth, Cecil (well, his staff) supports the OP.

[Mycroft]

I tend to favour the OP, but with one important difference, that the originals were fairly plain and cheap; the main thing was they stopped you (and others) having easy access to the savings as they had to be broken to get the cash. Later when they became more elaborate (and expensive!) the Pig was chosen because of the name, but as a direct marketing ploy, not a potters mistake.
To counter the second post, pork has always been a relatively cheap meat, indeed in the UK until the '50s it was common to keep at least one pig for family consumption.

[Ieuan ab Arthur]

Originally Posted by chillas

For what it's worth, Cecil (well, his staff) supports the OP.

So does Wikipedia and Piggy Bank World

Ta ra 'wan,

Ieuan "Here, piggy piggy" ab Arthur