15 Most Valuable Beer Cans: Guide to Old Beer Cans Value

Breweries started considering the idea of beer canning in the early 20^th century. However, the breweries struggled to figure out how to create a can that would withstand pasteurization and keep the beer tasty and fresh for the consumers.

The first beer can was developed by the American Can Company in 1933 for the Gottfried Krueger’s Brewing Company. The beer can, however, did not hit the shelves until 1935.

Today, vintage beer cans are extremely interesting to collectors. An increasing demand for the beer cans has led to an increase in the old beer cans value.

The rarest beer cans sell for as much as $30,000. However, you can still find vintage beer cans on sale at prices under $1000 and $100.

In this detailed guide, we will take a deeper look at 15 of the most valuable beer cans. What’s more, we will answer all the questions related to the beer can collection.

15 High-Value Beer Cans

No.	Beer Can	Year	Price (USD)
1.	The New Yorker Beer Can	1940	$5,000 to $10,000
2.	Gunther’s Beer Can	1935	$5,000 to $10,000
3.	Rheingold Pale Double Can	1937	$8,000 to $20,000
4.	Tally-Ho Ale Can	1936 to 1940	$7,500 to $25,000
5.	Apache Export Can	Late 1930s	$10,000 to $30,000
6.	Old St. Louis Beer Can	1937	$9,500
7.	Ronz Beer Can	1952 to 1954	$810
8.	Queens Brau Beer Can	1950s	$79.99
9.	Anchor Export Beer Can	The 1950s	$334
10.	Old Ruppert Knickerbocker Beer Can	The 1950s	$69.99
11.	The Famous Narraganset Banquet Beer Can	The 1940s	$79.99
12.	Narragansett Select Stock Beer Can	The 1940s	$900
13.	Carling Black Label Beer Can	The 1940s	$99.99
14.	Ballantine XXX Ale Beer Can	1938	$199.99
15.	Krueger Cream Ale Beer Can	1935	$179.99

1. The New Yorker Beer Can

Produced in 1940 by the American Can Company and one of the rarest beer cans, The New Yorker Beer Can is valued at $5,000 to $10,000.

Sold in 2019 through the Live Auctioneers website, the beer can features a vanity lid and is in great shape. According to the seller, the can looks great in hand.

2. Gunther’s Beer Can

Produced by the American Can Company in 1935, this beer can is in pristine condition. This vintage can has the first label design and was part of a prototype.

The beer can features its original permit and comes with a patent-pending statement that connects it to the Jim Plant Collection. Sold via an auction held on May 26, 2019, this beer can had a final estimated price of $5,000 to $10,000.

3. Rheingold Pale Double Can

Produced in 1937 by the American Can Company, this beer can was designed for the Liebmann Breweries Company. One of the things that makes the beer can extremely valuable is that it is one of the few rarest beer cans that are still in perfect condition.

The beer can does not have surface dents or color fading. It only has a couple of slight handling marks on its surface. Sold at an auction held on May 26, 2019, this beer can had a final estimated price of $8,000 to $20,000.

4. Tally-Ho Ale Can

Produced from 1936 to 1940 for City Brewing Corporation, this beer can is in good condition and features smooth surfaces and popping colors.

The beer can still has its original gold finish. Sold at an auction in 2019, this beer can had one of the highest old beer cans value, with a final estimated price of $7,500 to $25,000.

5. Apache Export Can

Produced in the late 1930s by the Continental Can Company, this beer can holds the #1 position when it comes to the most valuable beer cans. Sold in 2019 at a live auction, the can had an estimated final price of $10,000 to $30,000.

Some of the features that made the can valuable include incredible graphics that sit on a black patterned and rich gold metallic background. The can still has perfect colors and a smooth, shiny surface.

6. Old St. Louis Beer Can

Dating back to 1937, this Old St. Louis beer can is in clean condition. According to the seller, the beer can retains its original, attractive, and bright color with an exception of a slight fade on several sections.

The vintage beer can was sold on eBay on November 17, 2019. The buyer paid $9,500 for the vintage beer can.

7. Ronz Beer Can

Dating back to between 1952 and 1954, this Ronz Beer Can is a rare specimen featuring a cone top. The can’s label details are still intact.

Falling in the old beer cans value of under $1000, the Ronz Beer Can was sold on 11^th December 2019 via eBay. The buyer paid $810 for this vintage beer can.

8. Queens Brau Beer Can

Dating back to the 1950s, this Queens Brau beer can is still in near perfect condition. Currently listed on eBay, the vintage beer can has minimal signs of wear and tear.

The flat-topped beer can has interesting graphics and designs on its intact label. The seller has listed the Queens Brau beer can for $79.99.

9. Anchor Export Beer Can

This rare vintage beer can was manufactured in the 1950s for Hull Brewery Company which was based in Yorkshire England.

The beer can is in good condition, with all its graphics still intact. The seller, however, indicates that the beer can may show some signs of wear from years of storage and handling. Currently listed on eBay, this vintage beer can has a price of $334.

10. Old Ruppert Knickerbocker Beer Can

Manufactured in the 1950s for the Jacob Ruppert brand, this beer can is in a near-perfect condition. The beer can, however, shows slight signs of wear on its top and sides.

The beer can’s label is still intact and shows all the details included on the can by the Ruppert Beer Manufacturing Company. This vintage beer can is currently listed on eBay for $69.99.

11. The Famous Narraganset Banquet Beer Can

Produced in the 1940s, this vintage beer can has been around for over 8 decades. For this reason, it carries some signs of wear on its top, bottom, and sides.

The seller, however, indicates that the can is still in a good condition and can be used for display. Currently listed on eBay, the vintage beer can has a price tag of $79.99 attached to it.

12. Narragansett Select Stock Beer Can

Dating back to the 1940s and one of the rarest beer cans, this Narragansett Select Stock Beer Can is still in excellent condition. The flat-topped beer can features gold, green, and copper-colored texts on its labels.

The beer can does not show any signs of rust on its surface. However, it does show signs of wear and tear from storage and handling. Currently listed on eBay, the vintage beer can fits in the old beer cans value of below $1000 – it has a price tag of $900 attached to it.

13. Carling Black Label Beer Can

This vintage beer can has a flat-topped design and has a 12-ounce capacity. Although the top and bottom linings of the beer can are showing signs of wear, the beer can labeling is still intact.

Although the vintage can dates back to the 1940s, it still carries interesting graphics on its label. Combining the colors red, black, and white, Carling Black Label Beer Can creates an interesting visual appeal. Currently on sale on eBay, this vintage beer can has a price of $99.99.

14. Ballantine XXX Ale Beer Can

Dating back to 1938, the Ballantine XXX Ale Beer Can is still in excellent condition. The flat-topped beer can was produced for Ballantine Brewing Company.

Its label is still visible and features wordings in gold, black, and Green. According to the labels, the brand behind the vintage beer can was based in Newark, New Jersey. Currently listed on eBay, this vintage beer can has a price tag of $199.99 attached to it.

15. Krueger Cream Ale Beer Can

Produced for the Krueger brand, this vintage beer can dates back to 1935. However, despite being around for close to 9 decades, the Krueger Cream Ale Beer Can is still in great condition.

The flat-topped beer can carries the Krueger logo on its label and indicates that the brand was based in Newark, New Jersey. Currently listed on eBay, the vintage beer can is selling at $179.99.

What Factors Affect the Value of Old Beer Cans?

Numerous factors are often considered when assessing the old beer cans value. However, these factors can be boiled down to 4 main ones — condition, demand, supply, and design. Below, we will look at these factors in detail.

Supply

When it comes to vintage beer cans, the term “supply’ refers to the availability or the current number of existing beer cans. As you would expect, the rarest beer cans — which have a small supply – are more valuable than the more common ones.

Demand & Design

The term “demand” refers to the number of people interested in a particular beer can. Demand is generally high for beer cans featuring the flat-top design. Some of the rarest beer cans, the flat-topped beer cans were produced by the American Can Company between 1935 and the mid-1960s.

The first flat top beer cans are known as Opening Instructional (OI) cans and were produced from 1935 to 1941. Being the rarest beer cans, OI cans are highly sought-after – with high demand, they have a higher value.

Condition

Condition refers to the appearance – and state – of a beer can. A beer can that shows serious signs of wear and tear will have a lower value than a similar can with minimal signs of wear.

How Can I Determine Old Beer Cans Value?

To determine old beer cans value, use the following tips:

Find Similar, Recently Sold Beer Cans

If you know about the vintage beer can you are interested in, you can try to find others like it. The key is to limit the search to beer cans that have already been sold.

Remember that a seller can ask any price for his/her can. However, the asking price does not reflect the actual value of a beer can unless someone pays it.

Ask Experts

When on the market for the rarest beer cans, you can talk to experts who have experience with vintage cans. Some of the best places to find experts include:

• The BCCA (Brewery Collectibles Club of America) holds a convention where its members meet and examine beer cans together.
• com provides unofficial appraisals for beer cans for free. All you have to do is provide details about the beer can and an email address.
• com also offers appraisals. However, since this site sells vintage beer cans, you may want a second opinion.

What Are Beer Cans Made of?

Although modern beer cans are made of aluminum, the earliest and rarest beer cans were produced using heavy gauged steel. The steel was coated with a thin tin layer to keep the steel from rusting.

Where Can I Sell My Vintage Beer Cans?

If you do have some of the rarest beer cans, you can use the following ways to sell them:

• Private Collectors – Once you understand the old beer cans value, you can sell them to local private collectors. Private collectors are generally available in almost every region and state.
• Beer Can Dealer – If you are selling the rarest beer cans and you would like premium prices, a beer can dealer may have the finances to make a huge purchase.
• Internet Auctions – Sites like eBay and Etsy will allow you to sell the rarest beer cans to people from all over the world.
• Flea Market / Garage Sale – If you are trying to sell common or more recent cans, flea markets and garage sales may be a good solution for you.
• Antique Shop – Some local antique shops may have an interest in beer cans. However, if you are trying to sell the rarest beer cans, this may not be a good option.

Conclusion

Canned beer has been on the market for close to a century, with its first “official” birthday being January 24, 1935. Today, the beer cans produced between 1930 and 1960 are extremely valuable.

This detailed guide takes a deeper look at some of the costliest vintage beer cans. What’s more, we have answered the questions often asked by people who are getting started with collecting.

We hope we have provided all the information you would need to confidently sell or buy the rarest beer cans. However, if you still have some questions, do not hesitate to leave them in the comment section.