Abstract: A simple but effective, inexpensive coin-check operated lock is provided for locking articles such as umbrellas, canes, athletic equipment or a rock or stand to prevent theft or unauthorized use thereof and includes a reciprocating sliding bolt locked in extended position by a rocking latching lever which in turn is held in latched position by a coil spring and is unlatched from the bolt by contact of an inserted coin with a swingable spring biased detent arm which cooperates with a check key to hold the latching lever in unlocked position until the coin is inserted at which time the detent arm releases the check and the latching lever which operates to lock the reciprocating bolt in extended position, insertion of the key check unlocks the mechanism and resets same to receive a further coin.