Antique Pop Bottle Values: A Collector's Guide to Pricing and Identification

Several methods help determine a soda bottle's age:

Check for maker’s marks on the bottle bottom
Look for patent dates (though these indicate design patent date, not manufacturing date)
Examine the seams (bottles with seams extending through the lip are machine-made, post-1910)
Research the brand and design online or in collector guides
For ACL (painted label) bottles, research when the specific design was used

Dating guides like those on the Society for Historical Archaeology website can help identify bottle manufacturing techniques by era.

Generally, full bottles are only marginally more valuable than empty ones - typically 10-25% more. However, this varies by bottle type and collector preference:

Some collectors prefer empty bottles for display and easier shipping
Very old full bottles may have evaporated or compromised contents
Extremely rare bottles might be more valuable empty to prevent accidental breakage
For modern commemorative bottles (post-1960s), full bottles tend to command better prices

The bottle itself is usually where most of the value lies, not its contents.

While value depends on specific variants, age, and condition, these brands typically command premium prices:

Early Coca-Cola bottles (especially Hutchinson-style and straight-sided)
Rare Mountain Dew bottles (particularly hillbilly character designs)
Dr. Pepper (especially pre-1950s variants)
Regional brands that operated briefly
Moxie (particularly figural bottles)
Clicquot Club (especially in unusual colors)
Historic brands from the 1800s like Saratoga mineral water bottles

Remember that rarity, condition, and regional interest often matter more than the brand name.

Exercise extreme caution when cleaning vintage bottles:

Never use harsh chemicals, abrasives, or dishwashers
For internal mineral deposits, use only distilled water and uncooked rice as a gentle agitator
For ACL (painted label) bottles, avoid scrubbing which can damage the paint
When in doubt, leave cleaning to experts - improper cleaning can drastically reduce value
Some collectors prefer bottles with natural patina that shows their age

If a bottle is extremely valuable, consult with a professional conservator before attempting any cleaning.

Several resources can help determine current market values:

Specialized bottle collecting books like "Collecting Applied Color Label Soda Bottles" by Bill Porter
Online auction archives like WorthPoint or past eBay sales (search "sold items")
Bottle collector forums like AntiqueBottles.net
Annual price guides published by bottle collecting organizations
Specialty collector magazines like "Antique Bottle & Glass Collector"

Remember that prices can vary significantly based on region, condition, and current collector interest.

Coca-Cola bottles can be particularly valuable if they have these characteristics:

Hutchinson-style Coca-Cola bottles (1890s-1910) are extremely valuable ($4,000+)
Straight-sided bottles (pre-1916) with city names can range from $100-$1,000+
Early contour/"hobbleskirt" bottles (1915-1920s) typically fetch $75-$400
Prototype or experimental designs command premium prices
Foreign country Coca-Cola bottles, especially early examples
Amber or other unusual colored Coke bottles
Commemorative bottles with errors or limited distribution

Condition is crucial for Coca-Cola bottles, as they were produced in large quantities.

Generally, plastic soda bottles have minimal collector value, with a few exceptions:

First-generation plastic bottles from the early 1970s
Promotional bottles for major events or with manufacturing errors
Limited edition designs from popular brands
Prototype bottles that never reached mass production
Internationally-distributed variations not commonly found in the US

Most plastic bottles would typically sell for under $10 even for collectible examples, compared to glass bottles that can fetch much higher prices.

The value relationship between embossed and ACL bottles varies by era and specific examples:

Pre-1930s embossed bottles generally command higher prices due to age and craftsmanship
Early ACL bottles (1934-1950) can be quite valuable, especially with rare designs or from small bottlers
Common embossed bottles from 1900-1930 typically range from $10-$50
Common ACL bottles from the 1950s-1970s typically range from $5-$25
Rarity and condition matter more than the decoration method
Some collectors specialize exclusively in either embossed or ACL bottles

The most valuable examples of both types can sell for hundreds of dollars in exceptional circumstances.