Old bottles always end up heaped in the dusty corners of attics and storerooms of homes and antique stores. But as an antique collector, I know these bottles are treasures for antique freaks!
If you’re one of those on a hunt to collect old valuable bottles, this article is just what you need. It’ll show you the 20 most valuable old bottles worth the money that you can get your hands on right away!
Key Takeaways
- Old bottles with a clear brand, location, and manufacturing embossments or etchings are usually collectors’ favorites.
- Rare-colored bottles, like purple, puce, yellow-green, & cobalt blue, are more valuable than common colors like clear, amber, & aqua.
- Pick old bottles with open pontil and iron pontil marks, as they usually date back to the 19th century.
How to Identify Rare & Valuable Old Bottles?
If you want to pick an old bottle that’s worth something among many others that may not look for these features:
- Old make of bottles (over around 100 years old
- Unique shapes of bottles (bulbous, hexagonal, etc.)
- Distinctive colors (blue, green, purple, pink, milk glass, etc.)
- Clear carving or embossings of the brand’s name, manufacturing date, location, patent numbers, etc.
- Antique pontil and seams marks – Open Pontil (1600s – 1855), Iron Pontil (1840s to 1865), Smooth-based Sand Pontil (1865 – 1910s)
- Original models with Original labels, wrapping, package/box, etc.
20 Invaluable Old Bottles to Find Right Away!
Here are the 20 most valuable old vintage bottles that you must lay your eyes on!
1. Antique Horton & Allday Sterling Silver Victorian Scent Bottle
It’s not just antique glass bottles that are valuable; metal bottles are worth a lot, too, just like this small Sterling Silver scent bottle. It’s an oval-shaped bottle with ornate silver work and hand-painted decoration.
Valuable Features:
- Beautiful floral enamel painting on the front
- Purity hallmarks and brand marking at the back
- Hinged domed bottle cap
- Original glass stopper (inside the cap)
| Estimated Cost | $1,000 |
| Brand/Maker | Horton & Allday |
| Origin | United Kingdom |
| Manufacturing Year | 1885 |
| Bottle Type | Scent Bottle |
| Material | Sterling Silver |
| Color | Silver |
| Item Height | 2 ⅝ inches (Approx.) |
2. Maurice Marinot Acid-Etched Glass Bottles
Designed by the famous Fauvist painter Maurice Marinot, these bottles are popular for their rugged abstract look. You can spot them by their rough and blurry, acid-etched surfaces.
Key Features to Spot:
- Marinot marked on the base
- Hand-blown body
| Estimated Cost | $3,000 |
| Brand/Maker | Maurice Marinot |
| Origin | N/A |
| Manufacturing Year | 1928 |
| Bottle Type | Regular |
| Color | Clear (Available in multiple colors) |
| Item Height | 18 inches (Approx.) |
3. Antique Old Homestead Wild Cherry Bitters Bottle
If you’re looking for a unique square bottle, this antique bitters bottle is the one! You can easily spot this with its square cabin shape with windows and doors on the panels and a tiled roof!
Key Features to Spot:
- “Old Homestead Wild Cherry Bitters” embossed on one of the four flat panels on the top
- Applied collared mouth
| Estimated Cost | $2,000 |
| Brand/Maker | Old Homestead |
| Origin | USA |
| Manufacturing Year | 1860-1880 |
| Bottle Type | Liquor |
| Color | Olive Yellow |
| Item Height | 9 inches (Approx.) |
4. Victorian Bristol Double-Ended Perfume Bottle
This antique perfume bottle is highly collectible because of its unique double-ended body. It has a beautiful dark cobalt blue glass body, capped with carved silver caps on both ends.
Key Features to Spot:
- Detailed floral engraving on the silver caps
- One cap is a hinged lid over a glass stopper, while the other one is a screw cap with fitted cork sealing
- Clear molding seams on the blue glass
| Estimated Cost | $500 |
| Brand/Maker | Bristol |
| Origin | N/A |
| Manufacturing Year | 1890s |
| Bottle Type | Perfume Bottle |
| Material | Glass, Silver |
| Color | Blue, Silver |
| Item Height | 9.25 cm (Approx.) |
5. The 18th Century J Bathe English Squat Bottle
This antique bottle from the 18th century is a real win! Heavy and solid, this squat style looks unique with dark green color and pretty stretch marks and lines.
Key Identifying Features:
- “J Bathe 1798” seal marked on the front
- Sand pontil at the base
- Uneven edge and rings on the mouth
| Estimated Cost | $2,000 |
| Brand/Maker | J Bathe |
| Origin | United Kingdom |
| Manufacturing Year | 1798 |
| Bottle Type | Regular |
| Color | Dark Green |
6. OPS Bourbon Whiskey Bottle
This antique whiskey bottle can be spotted with its clear and bold embossments and a long neck with an applied top. Its beautiful amber shade makes it look old and pricey!
Key Features to Spot:
- “OPS Bourbon Whiskey from A. P. Hotaling’s Old Private Stock San Francisco” embossed on the front
- Clear sand pontil with blowing bubbles and seed bubbles
- Visible applied top/mouth
| Estimated Cost | $2,000 |
| Brand/Maker | OPS |
| Origin | United Kingdom |
| Manufacturing Year | 1880-1890 |
| Bottle Type | Liquor |
| Color | Amber |
| Item Height | 11 inches (Approx) |
7. Cheetah Canon Ink Spot 5 Oz Bottle
This unique antique ink bottle is shaped like a cannon, which makes it rare in itself. Dating back to the early 20th century, this light aqua-colored bottle is even more valuable for intact brand labels on the sides.
Notable Features:
- Number marking on the top
- Applied top neck
- Molded hand-blown make with pushed back and rolled lip
| Estimated Cost | $2,200 |
| Brand/Maker | Cheetah |
| Origin | N/A |
| Manufacturing Year | 1900 – 1920s |
| Bottle Type | Ink Spot Bottle |
| Color | Aqua |
| Item Height | 7 cm (Approx.) |
8. French Old Paris Porcelain Figurial Scent Bottles
You don’t see figurial bottles nowadays, which is why these French bottles are even more collectible! This pair features two bottles in designs of a French king and queen standing on a pedestal.
Key Features to Look For:
- Hand-painted colorful French attire on both bottles
- Floral scrolling golden decoration on the pedestals
| Estimated Cost | $400 – $500 |
| Brand/Maker | Old Paris |
| Origin | France |
| Manufacturing Year | 1840 |
| Bottle Type | Scent Bottle |
| Material | Porcelain |
| Color | Multicolor |
| Item Height | 10.25 inches (Approx.) (Taller Bottle) |
9. R. Lalique Frosted Glass Ambre Perfume Bottle
Now this antique bottle looks more like a sculpture! You can spot it with its unique frosted glass texture with a beautiful carving of young women all around the bottle. The light-amber perfume bottle looks even more vintage with its Sepia patina.
Identifying Features:
- “R. Lalique” carved beneath the feet of the sculpted lady
- Lamp-shaped glass stopper/cap
| Estimated Cost | $1,000 |
| Brand/Maker | R. Lalique |
| Origin | United Kingdom |
| Manufacturing Year | 1910 |
| Bottle Type | Perfume Bottle |
| Material | Frosted Glass |
| Color | Light Amber/Sepia |
| Item Height | 6 inches (Approx.) |
10. English Double Globe Seltzogene Soda Siphon Bottle
This antique English Soda Seltzer bottle features a unique double globe body and metal netting. It’s an Art Nouveau-style bottle and would look perfect in your collection!
Key Features to Spot:
- Brand markings, patent number engraved on the metal netting
- Visible join mold seams between the two globes
- A metal stand at the base
| Estimated Cost | $400 – $500 |
| Brand/Maker | British Syphon Manufacturing Company |
| Origin | England |
| Manufacturing Year | Late 19th Century |
| Bottle Type | Soda Siphon/Seltzer Bottle |
| Material | Glass, Metal |
| Color | Clear |
| Item Height | 20.5 inches (Approx.) |
11. Inca Ceramic Bottle with Human Face
Although this ancient ceramic bottle is extremely difficult to find, if you manage to get one, it can be really valuable! The highlight of this slipped and painted vessel is its neck with a handmade face with all features (eyes, nose, mouth, ears)!
Features to Identify:
- Clumsy checkerboard pattern painted on the body (waist)
- Shiny finish
- Wider (than neck) mouth with uneven curled lips
| Estimated Cost | $1,300 |
| Brand/Maker | Unknown |
| Origin | N/A |
| Manufacturing Year | 1300 – 1500 A.D. |
| Bottle Type | Water Vessel |
| Material | Ceramic |
| Color | Reddish-Brown |
| Item Height | 7 ¼ inches (Approx.) |
12. 1800s Rare Cut Clear Crystal Liquor Gin Decanter Bottle
This antique crystal decanter bottle can be spotted with its large bulbous waist with cut-crystal patterns and a long neck. On the top, you’ll find a hallmarked Sterling silver stopper which hikes the value of this old bottle.
Key Features to Note:
- Intricate details on the cut-crystal patterns
- Hand-carved cursive initials on the stopper
- Hammered finish
| Estimated Cost | $200 – $400 |
| Brand/Maker | Unknown |
| Origin | N/A |
| Manufacturing Year | 1800s |
| Bottle Type | Decanter |
| Material | Crystal, Silver |
| Color | Clear, Silver |
| Item Height | 10 inches (Approx.) |
13. Robj Art Deco Black Mammy Bottle
Shaped as a black Mammy, this vintage Art Deco bottle is a rare find! The Mammy is dressed in a bright yellow dress with a green scarf around her neck. On her head, she wears a turban, which also is the stopper.
Features to Identify:
- “Robj Paris Made in France” marked at the bottom
- Cork stopper mounted to the ceramic turban
| Estimated Cost | $700 |
| Brand/Maker | Robj |
| Origin | N/A |
| Manufacturing Year | 1920s |
| Bottle Type | Figurial Bottle |
| Material | Ceramic |
| Color | Multicolor |
| Item Height | 10 inches (Approx.) |
14. Vintage Handmade Brass Bottle
This vintage bottle grabs attention with its round-shaped brass body with a thick riveted neck. You will notice a kicked-up bottom in the bottle along with a round wooden stopper, oozing vintage vibes!
Notable Features to Spot:
- Visible brazed seams on the body
- Thick flanged neck with rivets
- Visible hammered screws/pins around the neck
| Estimated Cost | $250 |
| Brand/Maker | Unknown |
| Origin | N/A |
| Manufacturing Year | Early 2000s |
| Bottle Type | Water Storing Bottle |
| Material | Brass |
| Color | Brass |
| Item Height | 22 inches (Approx.) |
15. Rare Bon-Opto Eye Remedy Bottle
This hundred-plus-year-old remedy bottle is a must-have for your antique collection! It can be identified by its square shape, antique cork stopper, uneven surface, and visible hand-blown mold seams. Besides, you will see clear embossments to verify its authenticity.
Valuable Features:
- Original labels, box, and stopper
- “BON-OPTO” and Eye Wash Cup embossed on one side, and “BON-OPTO FOR THE EYES” embossed on the other side
- Hand-blown into mold make
| Estimated Cost | $200 |
| Brand/Maker | Almas Drug Co. Rochester |
| Origin | New York |
| Manufacturing Year | 1880 – 1920s |
| Bottle Type | Remedy Bottle |
| Material | Glass |
| Color | Clear |
| Item Height | 3 ⅛ inches (Approx.) |
16. Antique F E MORGAN Apothecary Bottle
This antique pharmacy bottle is a collector’s treasure! Manufactured by F. E. Morgan pharmacy, this bottle is quite valuable thanks to its unique purple hue and raw hand-blown-into-mold body.
Key Features to Hike the Value:
- “F. E. MORGAN & SONS PHILADA” embossed on the body in an oval-shaped seal
- Original glass stopper with string
- Visible seams and tiny bubbles
| Estimated Cost | $100 – $200 |
| Brand/Maker | F E Morgan |
| Origin | USA |
| Manufacturing Year | Late 1800s |
| Bottle Type | Pharmacy Apothecary Bottle |
| Material | Glass |
| Color | Light Purple |
| Item Height | 4 inches (Approx.) |
17. Rare Green Glass Onion Bottle with Maarten Tromp Painting
This rare colored onion bottle holds great value as it’s a commemorating model with an intricate painting of Dutch General Maarten Tromp in an oval-painted panel.
Key Features to Spot:
- Detailed painting of Dutch-Spanish sea battle on the lower body
- Scroll designed with coats-of-arms for Amsterdam in golden color
| Estimated Cost | $400 – $500 (Up to $2,000 for good condition) |
| Brand/Maker | Unknown |
| Origin | N/A |
| Manufacturing Year | 18th Century |
| Bottle Type | Onion Bottle |
| Material | Glass |
| Color | Dark Green |
| Item Height | 18 inches (Approx.) |
18. Rare Straight Sided Amber Coca-Cola Bottle
Precious & rare, this vintage Coca-Cola bottle is a great addition to any antique collection! Unlike modern Coke bottles, this one has a dark amber tone glass with straight sides and old Coca-Cola name embossing.
Key Features to Spot:
- “Coca-Cola BOTTLING WORKS UNION CITY, TE’NN” embossed on the body
- “U.C.” marked at the bottom
- Visible mold seams & clumsy shape
| Estimated Cost | $500 |
| Brand/Maker | Coca-Cola |
| Origin | USA |
| Manufacturing Year | 1900s |
| Bottle Type | Soda Bottle |
| Material | Glass |
| Color | Medium Amber |
19. Antique Chinese Jade Stone Snuff Bottle Archaic
Coming from the late 19th century, this rare Chinese bottle is highly valuable because of its full-on Jade stone make! It’s shaped like a square bottle with Chinese Archaic poems and other symbols carved on the front and sides.
Identifying Features:
- Dragon/Lion heads engraved on the sides (mask handles)
- Carved Green jade stopper lid
- Original spoon attached to the cork fitted on the underside of the jade lid
- Smooth & uncarved backside
| Estimated Cost | $600 – $800 |
| Brand/Maker | N/A |
| Origin | China |
| Manufacturing Year | 19th Century |
| Bottle Type | Snuff Bottle |
| Material | Jade Stone |
| Color | Light Brown |
| Item Height | 2.9 inches (Approx.) |
20. French Bière d’Alsace Brasserie Beer Glass Bottle
Old 1900s brasserie bottles fetch good value because of their antique look! This Beire d’Alsace bottle can be easily identified with its French embossments and a porcelain cap, which is quite rare!
Valuable Features:
- Numbers and letters embossed at the bottom
- “Gdes Brasseries Alsaciennes Bière de ménage Bière d’Angoulême” & “proprieté de la brasserie” embossed on the body
- Metal brasserie on the top
- Dark green edge on the bottom
| Estimated Cost | $50 – $100 |
| Brand/Maker | Biére de ménage |
| Origin | France |
| Manufacturing Year | Early 1900s |
| Bottle Type | Liquor Bottle |
| Material | Glass, Porcelain (Stopper) |
| Color | Olive Green |
We hope this listicle will take you to your favorite invaluable old bottle that will make your shelf shine with antiqueness! All you need to do is verify the key features to pick authentic models!
But since different old bottles have different identification marks, you can learn about those in detail in my guides on old Coke bottles, liquor bottles, perfume bottles, and antique medicine bottles!
