All questions / Dolls, bottles and keepsakes

Are old bottles worth money?

Hand-blown and embossed bottles from the 1800s are collected; modern clear bottles are common. Clear modern bottles and machine-made common jars usually sell for little.

What to look for

Check what applies to yours:

• A rough pontil scar on the base, a sign of an older hand-blown bottle.
• Embossed names of towns, drugstores or soda makers.
• Unusual colors, such as cobalt blue or deep green, and no cracks.

Before you sell

• Compare with items that actually sold, not only with asking prices.
• Take clear photos in daylight: front, back, marks and any damage.
• Do not clean coins, and do not repaint or polish old items: it often lowers the value.
• For anything that might be valuable, get an opinion from a certified appraiser or a specialist dealer.