maximizing bells for both you and your neighbor

I am two hours away from getting my cannon, and if I go into a friends town I can fire that cannon, but I do not see any bells on their houses, only money. Same with the tunnel, only a stack of money. I have only a few friends yet that has the cannon, so it is not because I have done 40 friends-actions already.
Is this because I don't have my cannon?

Edit: The bells will show in your neighbor towns when you get the cannon. I will practise the fine art of patience...