Are old medicine bottles valuable?

Old medicine bottles can potentially be very valuable to collectors, depending on the age, rarity, color, and condition of the bottle. There are many factors that determine the value of antique medicine bottles.

Table of Contents

What makes old medicine bottles valuable?

There are a few key factors that make old medicine bottles valuable to collectors:

Age – Bottles made in the 19th century or earlier tend to be more valuable than later bottles.

Rarity – Bottles from defunct pharmacies or medicines are harder to find and thus more valuable.
Color – Unusual colors like cobalt blue or emerald green tend to increase value.
Condition – Bottles in mint condition with the original label intact are worth more.

Design – Fancy designs, shapes, or embossing boost the bottle’s desirability.
Provenance – Bottles that come with documentation on where it was found or used add to the story.

Rare antique medicine bottles from the 1800s or earlier in pristine condition can sell for anywhere from $50 to over $5,000. More common bottles tend to sell for under $50.

Most valuable types of old medicine bottles

Here are some of the most valuable and collectible types of old medicine bottles:

Pontiled bottles – Bottles with a pontil mark on the base, indicating it was hand blown in the 1800s or earlier, are highly prized by collectors.
Apothecary bottles – Intricate bottles used by pharmacists and apothecaries in the 19th century are very collectible.

Colorful bitters bottles – Bitters were very popular in the 1800s, and the colorful, embossed bottles can be worth hundreds.
Labeled cure bottles – Bottles with the original paper label intact can fetch high prices.
Figural bottles – Bottles shaped like people, animals or objects are quirky and desirable.

Poison bottles – Skull, crossbones, and other ominous markings indicate poison bottles that appeal to collectors.

Rare pontiled bottles from early apothecaries or bitters companies can bring in over $1,000 at auction. Pristine labeled cure bottles also command top dollar.

Factors decreasing medicine bottle value

While old bottles have lots of appeal, there are some factors that can decrease their value among collectors:

Chips, cracks, or damage – Any damage lowers value significantly.
Alterations – Bottles with ground lips or polished pontils lose original character.
Common bottles – Mass produced bottles are not as desirable unless rare color.

Reproduction labels – Originals are always worth more than replicas.
Unclear origin – Undocumented history makes it harder to authenticate.
Missing closure – Intact lids, stoppers, corks increase appeal.

With any type of old bottle, condition is paramount. Even rare bottles lose considerable value if damaged or altered from their original state.

Most common old medicine bottles

Here are some of the most common types of old medicine bottles that have lower collectible value:

Clear pharmacy bottles – Mass produced in the 20th century.

Generic druggist bottles – Bear no specific brand or pharmacy name.
Cylindrical liniment bottles – Contained topical medicines.
Paneled extract bottles – Held liquid herbal extracts.

Amber Oval whiskey flasks – Often reused for medicines.
Machine-made bottles – Have mold seams and lack pontil scar.

While old, these ubiquitous types of medicine bottles have modest value, usually less than $10 unless rare color or content origin.

Most valuable medicine bottle colors

Color is a major determinant of medicine bottle value. Some of the most prized colors include:

Cobalt blue – Deep blue reminiscent of Mediterranean glass.
Amber – Ranging from yellowish to deep orange-brown.

Emerald green – Brilliant green glass, often content obscured.
Aqua – Varying shades of light blue green.
Amethyst – Purple glass from manganese dioxide.

Black glass – Very rare, glass saturated with iron oxide.
Milk glass – Opal white glass, possible zinc oxide content.

Even common medicine bottles in bright cobalt or emerald can be worth $50 or more. The most desirable colors increase value dramatically.

Determining authenticity of old medicine bottles

With antique medicine bottles commanding high prices, confirming authenticity is important. Here are some tips:

Inspect the glass – Look for bubbles, striations, whittle marks indicating hand production.
Examine the lip – Crudely applied lips suggest early production.

Check the base – Pontil scars and mold seams help date it.
Assess color – Natural colors like amber and aqua point to authenticity.
Review labels – Original paper labels in period style font are ideal.

Consider provenance – Documentation on where it was found lends credibility.
Compare to references – Review collector guides to match features.

Authentic bottles have an uneven, handmade character compared to later machine-made versions. Understanding glass manufacture eras also aids authentication.

Cleaning and caring for old medicine bottles

Proper care is essential for preserving and maintaining the value of antique medicine bottles. Some tips include:

Use gentle cleaners – Avoid abrasives and stick to mild soap and water.
Never scrub or scour – This can damage the glass surface.

Rinse thoroughly – Make sure to remove all soap residues.
Dry carefully – Use soft towels and dry completely to prevent water spots.
Cotton swabs – Helpful for cleaning interior and hard to reach spots.

Use cotton gloves – Prevents fingerprints and smudges on glass.
Store safely – Place bottles in protective wraps or sleeves in secure boxes.

Harsh cleaning damages delicate glass and original labels. Take great care in cleaning to avoid value loss.

Rare and valuable antique medicine bottles

Some of the rarest and most valuable antique medicine bottles include:

Bottle	Estimated Value
Dr. J. Hostetter’s Celebrated Stomach Bitters – Cobalt blue – $12,500	Extremely rare color and highly sought after bitters bottle.
Drake’s Plantation Bitters – Green – $5,100	Beautiful green plantation bitters from 1860s.
Dr. Kilmer’s Swamp Root Kidney Cure – Amber – $3,750	Intact labeled cure bottle from the 1880s.
Dr. Fisch’s Bitters – Teal – $2,500	Rare teal colored bitters bottle from San Francisco.
Japanese Sailor Poison Bottle – Cobalt skull – $2,100	Scarce Asian poison bottle with cobalt skull.

These are just a few examples of extremely rare medicine bottles at auction. Elite specimens with color, labeling, and scarcity realize top dollar prices.

Tips for collecting old medicine bottles

Some helpful tips for collecting antique medicine bottles include:

Research heavily – Learn the field thoroughly before starting to buy bottles.
Focus your collection – Consider specializing in one type like bitters or poisons.
Inspect carefully – Examine all details closely before purchasing.

Ask about provenance – A bottle’s history can reveal authenticity.
Join collector groups – Connect with other enthusiasts to learn more.
Go to bottle shows – These allow you to see many specimens in person.

Consider quality over quantity – One pristine bottle beats several mediocre ones.
Document your collection – Catalog and record details on each acquisition.

Learning methodology for dating and authenticating bottles is crucial background knowledge for collectors. Being selective and patient pays off when acquiring additions.

Identifying potential valuable medicine bottles

Some signs that an old medicine bottle may be valuable include:

Unusual color like bright green, blue, or purple
Bold embossing or design details

Completely intact paper label
Glassmaking defects like whittle marks or bubbles
Pontil scar on base

Uncommon shape or facial depictions
Known rare medicine name
Early patent or pharmacy names

Researching glassmaker marks, medicine names, pharmacy logos, and other markings can identify coveted brands and makers. Understanding era-specific attributes also helps spot potentially valuable finds.

Most common places to find old medicine bottles

Some of the most common places antique medicine bottles can be found include:

Antique stores – Always inspect stock carefully for hidden gems.

Flea markets – Search through the dollar boxes and discount bins.
Estate sales – Check the barns, attics, and basements.
Online auctions – Search local auction house listings in your area.

Collector shows – Mingle with dealers to uncover bottles.
Property excavations – Look around old home sites and dumps.
Family inheritances – Check what your older relatives may have collected.

Thrift stores – Scan the shelves but beware reproductions.

It takes an eagle eye to spot valuable bottles among junk and reproductions. Arriving early and digging deep increases the chance of big finds.

Spotting reproduction or altered medicine bottles

Some tips for identifying fake antique medicine bottles:

Look for modern mold seams – Authentic bottles had none or barely visible seams.
Inspect for contemporary glass texture – Should have crude glaze and bubbles.
Review fonts on embossing – Early lettering had inconsistent spacing and depth.

Examine finish and lip – Rough, hand-applied lips indicate age.
Assess color consistency – Natural blotches and variation point to old glass.
Watch for flat bases – Pontil scars unlikely on modern reproductions.

Research brands and marks – Match specifics to recorded histories.

Familiarizing yourself with how genuine bottles look and feel comes with time and handling many examples. Side by side comparisons also help discern new from old.

Selling old medicine bottles

For selling antique medicine bottles, some options include:

Auction houses – Specialized bottle auctions reach serious collectors.
eBay – Global platform but fees, shipping risks.
Etsy – Lower fees but smaller user base.

Collector shows – Display in-person to connected buyers.
Antique malls – Offer sales space and built-in foot traffic.
Facebook groups – Connect with niche collectors.

Instagram – Showcase bottles to new audiences.
Maintain documentation – Photos, provenance will garner higher prices.

Having bottles professionally appraised is advisable to establish fair value. Finding the right engaged audience takes time and patience when selling.

Bottom line

The right old medicine bottle in excellent condition can be worth a surprising amount due to scarcity, color, and demand from collectors. Factors like rarity, intact labeling, desirable hues, and early production can drive prices to the hundreds or thousands. However, bottles need proper authentication to achieve top dollar. With diligent hunting and shrewd collecting, uncovering treasure bottle finds is an exciting possibility.