| Aqua/Clear Aqua |
1800s-1920s |
The most common color for 19th century medicine bottles, created by natural iron impurities in the glass |
| Cobalt Blue |
1890s-1960s |
Popular for poison, cosmetic vessels, and specialty medicines |
| Amber/Brown |
1860s-present |
Used for light-sensitive preparations, became increasingly common after 1910 |
| Green (various shades) |
1800s-1920s |
Common in early medicines, particularly olive green in the earliest examples |
| Colorless (clear) |
1875-present |
Became widespread after the development of manganese decolorization processes |
| Purple/Amethyst |
1880s-1920 |
Manganese-decolorized glass that turned purple with sun exposure; production virtually ceased during WWI |
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It’s worth noting that clear glass that has turned purple or amethyst due to sun exposure (known as “sun-purpled”) contains manganese, which was primarily used as a decolorizing agent between 1880 and 1916. When the United States entered World War I, manganese imports from Germany were cut off, and selenium became the preferred decolorizer, resulting in glass that does not turn purple with sun exposure.
Bottle Shapes and Styles
Medicine bottles came in distinctive shapes that often indicated their contents or purpose. Recognizing these standard forms can help identify the bottle’s original use.
Common Medicine Bottle Shapes:
- Philadelphia Ovals - Rectangular with rounded sides, the most common prescription bottle shape
- French Squares - Square or rectangular bottles with beveled corners
- Vials - Small cylindrical bottles with straight sides
- Panel Bottles - Rectangular bottles with indented panels for labels
- Poison Bottles - Often features distinctive ribbed or hobnail patterns, unusual shapes, or tactile warnings
- Extract Bottles - Tall and slender with long necks
Embossing and Markings
Many medicine bottles feature embossed lettering that can provide crucial information about their origin, contents, and age.
Types of Embossing to Look For:
- Pharmacy Names - Local drugstore names and locations
- Proprietary Medicine Brands - Patent medicine names and slogans
- Manufacturer Marks - Usually found on the bottle base
- Volume Indicators - Often shown in ounces or drams
- Content Warnings - “Poison,” “Not to be taken,” etc.
Maker’s marks on bottle bases can be particularly valuable for dating. Resources like the Society for Historical Archaeology’s Bottle Makers Marks page provide comprehensive listings of these identifying symbols.
Finishing Techniques
The bottle’s “finish” (the top portion including the lip and neck) evolved significantly over time, making it one of the most useful features for dating.
Applied Finish (1830s-1880s): A separate piece of glass was added to the bottle neck while still hot. Look for a distinct seam or color difference where the finish meets the neck.
Tooled Finish (1870s-1910s): The finish was formed from the same glass as the bottle body using special tools, resulting in a smoother transition from neck to finish.
Machine-Made Finish (post-1910): Completely uniform with mold seams extending through the finish to the top of the lip.
Base Markings and Valve Marks
Examining the bottle’s base can reveal important dating clues:
- Pontil Scars (pre-1860s): Rough circular marks where the pontil rod was attached
- Post-Bottom Molds (1850s-1890s): Smooth bases with embossed characters
- Cup-Bottom Molds (1880s-1930s): Circular seam visible on the heel of the bottle
- Valve Marks (1900s-1930s): Circular or off-center feathery marks from Owens Automatic Bottle Machine
- Stippling (post-1940): Textured base with tiny dots
Closure Methods
The method used to seal medicine bottles changed over time:
- Cork Closures (pre-1920s): Bottles with a simple lip designed for cork stoppers
- Glass Stoppers (1850s-1920s): Ground glass finish to accept glass stopper
- Screw Threads (post-1910): Machine-cut threads for metal caps
- Crown Caps (post-1892): Special lip design to accept crimped metal caps
Bottle Dating Checklist
Use this checklist to help determine the approximate age of your medicine bottle
Age and Rarity
Generally, older bottles command higher prices, particularly pre-1870s examples. However, rarity often trumps age—an unusual 1890s bottle might be worth more than a common 1850s specimen.
Condition Assessment
The condition of an antique medicine bottle significantly impacts its value. Collectors typically evaluate bottles based on these factors:
- Cracks and Chips: Even minor damage can drastically reduce value
- Staining: White or rainbow mineral staining from burial
- Clarity: Haziness or cloudiness in the glass
- Completeness: Original labels, contents, or packaging dramatically increase value
- Color: Vibrant or unusual colors typically command premium prices
Historical Significance
Bottles with connections to significant historical events, notable pharmacies, or famous individuals generally carry a premium. Examples include Civil War era field hospital bottles or those from pharmacies in historically significant locations.
Aesthetic Appeal
Unusual shapes, vibrant colors, elaborate embossing, and artistic design elements all contribute to a bottle’s desirability among collectors.
Value Ranges for Antique Medicine Bottles
Approximate market values as of 2023
| Category |
Price |
Notes |
| Common machine-made pharmacy bottles (1920s-1950s) |
$5-$25 |
Clear or amber glass, minimal embossing |
| Embossed local pharmacy bottles (1880s-1910s) |
$20-$100 |
Value increases with age and pharmacy significance |
| Labeled patent medicine bottles (1880s-1920s) |
$30-$150 |
Original paper labels intact |
| Colored glass prescription bottles (1870s-1900s) |
$50-$200 |
Cobalt blue, emerald green, amber |
| Early pontiled medicine bottles (pre-1860s) |
$100-$500+ |
Crude manufacturing, applied lips |
| Rare poison bottles with unusual shapes |
$150-$800 |
Skull-shaped, coffin-shaped, or hobnail patterns |
| Figural medicine bottles (rare shapes) |
$200-$1,000+ |
Bottles shaped like organs, figures, or objects |
| Pre-Civil War medicine bottles with labels |
$500-$5,000+ |
Original contents and packaging dramatically increase value |
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Research and Education
Before investing significant money in antique medicine bottles:
- Study reference books and online resources dedicated to bottle collecting
- Join collector organizations like the Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors
- Attend bottle shows and auctions to examine examples firsthand
- Consult with experienced collectors and dealers
Specialization Approaches
Many collectors focus on specific categories to build more meaningful collections:
- Geographic Focus: Bottles from a particular city, region, or state
- Time Period Focus: Bottles from a specific era (e.g., Civil War, Prohibition)
- Type Focus: Collecting specific categories (poison bottles, bitters, etc.)
- Manufacturer Focus: Bottles from a particular glass company or pharmacy
Authentication Concerns
As with many collectibles, reproduction and fake antique bottles exist in the marketplace. Here are some red flags:
- Unnaturally bright or unusual colors inconsistent with period manufacturing
- Perfectly uniform bubbles in the glass (authentic bubbles vary in size and distribution)
- Mold seams that don’t match the purported age of the bottle
- Machine-made characteristics on supposedly early handmade bottles
- “Too perfect” embossing or overall condition for very old examples
Finding and Acquiring Bottles
Antique medicine bottles can be found through various channels:
- Bottle Shows and Collector Events: The best place to meet experienced collectors and see many examples
- Online Marketplaces: eBay, Etsy, and specialized collector sites
- Antique Shops and Malls: Often have selections of bottles, though prices may be higher
- Estate Sales and Auctions: Can yield unexpected finds at reasonable prices
- Networking with Other Collectors: Trading can be an economical way to build a collection
- Bottle Digging: Some collectors (where legal) excavate old dump sites for bottles
Common Questions About Old Medicine Bottles
How can you tell how old a glass medicine bottle is?
Determine a medicine bottle's age by examining several key features:
- Manufacturing technique: Hand-blown bottles (pre-1860s) have no mold seams, while machine-made bottles (post-1910) have seams running to the top of the lip
- Pontil marks: A rough scar on the bottle base indicates pre-1860s manufacture
- Finish type: Applied finishes (1830s-1880s), tooled finishes (1870s-1910s), or machine-made finishes (post-1910)
- Glass color: Aqua (pre-1920s), purple-tinted clear (1880-1916), or colorless (predominantly post-1920)
- Base markings: Maker’s marks or date codes can provide specific date ranges
The most accurate dating considers multiple features together rather than relying on a single characteristic.
How do I know if my old glass bottles are worth anything?
To determine if your old glass bottles have value, consider these factors:
- Age: Generally, pre-1900 bottles command higher prices
- Rarity: Uncommon shapes, colors, or manufacturers increase value
- Condition: Cracks, chips, and staining significantly reduce value
- Historical significance: Bottles from notable pharmacies or with interesting histories are more valuable
- Color: Unusual or vibrant colors typically bring premium prices
- Embossing: Detailed embossing, especially with pharmaceutical or regional significance, enhances value
- Completeness: Original labels, boxes, or contents dramatically increase value
Research similar bottles that have recently sold to establish a baseline value, or consult professional appraisers for rare examples.
Is there a free app for glass bottle identification?
While there isn't a specialized app exclusively for identifying antique glass bottles, several resources can help:
- Google Lens: Take a photo of your bottle to find similar images online
- Bottle collector forum apps: Communities like Antique Bottles Forum have mobile apps where experts can help identify your finds
- iNaturalist or similar crowdsourcing apps: Though designed for nature, these can be repurposed for bottle identification
For the most accurate identification, traditional resources remain superior:
- The Society for Historical Archaeology’s Bottle Website
- Reference books like "Antique Trader Bottles Identification & Price Guide"
- Bottle collector forums and social media groups
Many professional appraisers now offer virtual identification services via email or video consultation.
What do the numbers on the bottom of old bottles mean?
Numbers and markings on bottle bases typically indicate:
- Manufacturer identification: Many glass companies used distinctive codes or marks
- Mold numbers: Identify specific molds used in production
- Date codes: Some manufacturers used numbering systems to indicate production date
- For example, bottles made by Owens-Illinois (after 1929) often have a two-digit number to the right of their mark indicating the year of manufacture
- Patent numbers: References to patented designs or manufacturing processes
- Volume markings: Capacity indicators (especially on later bottles)
The Society for Historical Archaeology provides an extensive database of maker’s marks to help decipher these codes.
Always consider these numbers alongside other bottle characteristics, as similar numbering systems were used for different purposes by different manufacturers.
What is the most valuable antique medicine bottle?
The most valuable antique medicine bottles regularly sell for thousands of dollars at specialized auctions. Some notable examples include:
- Drake’s Plantation Bitters (cabin form) in rare colors like puce or deep emerald green have sold for $10,000-$15,000
- Early pontiled medicine bottles with unusual colors and crude manufacturing can reach $5,000-$20,000
- Warner’s Safe Cure bottles in unusual colors like olive amber or deep green can sell for $3,000-$7,000
- Figural poison bottles shaped like skulls, coffins, or other unusual forms can command $2,000-$10,000
- Civil War era medicine bottles with original labels and contents have sold for over $5,000
The highest prices are typically achieved by bottles that combine multiple desirable characteristics: extreme age (pre-1860s), rare color, unusual form, historical significance, and excellent condition with original labeling or contents.
Values fluctuate based on collector interest and market conditions, with exceptional examples occasionally selling for far more at specialized auctions.
Cleaning Methods
Cleaning antique bottles requires caution to avoid damage:
Safe Cleaning Methods:
- Lukewarm water with mild dish soap
- Soft bottle brushes for interior cleaning
- Soaking in distilled water to loosen dirt
- Cotton swabs for detailed cleaning
Methods to Avoid:
- Harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners
- Ultrasonic cleaners (can damage fragile glass)
- Wire brushes or abrasive pads
- Hot water (can cause thermal shock)
For bottles with original labels, extreme caution is warranted—often professional conservation is advisable rather than amateur cleaning attempts.
Display Considerations
When displaying your medicine bottle collection, consider these factors:
- UV Protection: Prevent fading of colored glass and labels by avoiding direct sunlight
- Stable Environment: Maintain consistent temperature and humidity levels
- Secure Shelving: Ensure displays are stable and protected from vibration
- Accessibility: Consider how bottles will be handled for examination or cleaning
- Organization: Group bottles by category, age, color, or other classification systems
- Documentation: Label or catalog information about each bottle for reference
Documentation and Provenance
Maintaining records about your bottles enhances both their historical value and potential resale value:
- Acquisition Information: Where, when, and how the bottle was acquired
- Historical Research: Any known history of the pharmacy, medicine, or manufacturer
- Previous Ownership: Chain of custody if known
- Condition Notes: Document existing damage or repairs
- Photographs: High-quality images showing all sides of the bottle
External Resources for Medicine Bottle Collectors
Conclusion
Identifying and collecting antique medicine bottles connects us to the pharmaceutical history and material culture of previous generations. These glass vessels—once considered utilitarian and disposable—now serve as tangible links to medical practices, local businesses, and manufacturing techniques of the past.
The most successful collectors combine knowledge from multiple sources: understanding manufacturing techniques, recognizing diagnostic features, researching historical context, and developing an eye for authenticity. By mastering these skills and utilizing the resources listed in this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to build a meaningful and potentially valuable collection of antique medicine bottles.
Whether you’re a seasoned collector expanding your knowledge or a newcomer discovering your first bottle at a flea market, the world of antique medicine bottles offers endless opportunities for discovery. Each bottle tells a story—about the medicine it contained, the people who made it, and the era in which it was used—waiting for the discerning collector to decode its secrets.
