5 Most Valuable Mason Jars Ever Made: From $500 to $23,500
Duane Beckett
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We love vintage collectibles including everything from watches to sports cards. The world of mason jars was new to us, but clearly holds some value behind it. When we saw the most valuable jar is worth a massive $23,500, we had to dig deeper. We found that these 5 most valuable mason jars are history trapped in glass, from its embossing to inventive fastenings.
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5. 1858 Willoughby Stopple Jar, $500
The Willoughby Stopple Jar was invented in 1858 and had a unique cork lid. The Jar is an antique piece, with few coming up for sale in preserved, or complete condition. The glass is free-blown during this time period and comes in this blueish color in addition to clear versions.
Due to the scarcity, even if you manage to find one, the price tag might make you gasp. Online prices of this jar vary between $500 and $1000. The cork lid (stopple) alone could cost you $60 as it shows an early version of mason jar lids that were then replaced later on.
4. The 1870 Chief Mason Jar, $800
Manufactured in 1870, this Mason jar is made up of clear glass, including the words “The Chief” embossed on one side, and the letter âKâ embossed in cursive on the other side.
The jar uses a wire fixture on the underside of the lid that hooks onto the sides to seal it. It is a rare jar and very difficult to find. The price of The Chief Mason Jar in good condition is around $800.
3. 1933 Ball Upside Down Error Jar, $1,000
There are two types of Ball upside-down Mason jars; The first kind was produced as a result of a mistake (manufactured in 1933), and the second was produced intentionally to work as a dispenser. Many people who used these jars intentionally did so with coffee beans to then grind and produce coffee.
In the first kind of Ball upside-down jars, the glass embossing was set upside down with the company only producing 12 such jars by mistake. This small production makes them extremely rare, so you can expect to spend around $1,000 today to own one.
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2. Black Amber Magic Star Fruit Jar, $3,000
The Black Amber Magic Star fruit jar was manufactured in 1886 and has a distinguishing dark color. One of these jars in good condition could be worth around $3,000.
The jar features a glass lid that is secured with an iron clamp, which at the time was an innovative way to seal jars back in 1886. The jar was patented in Pennsylvania in 1886 by Hermann Buchholz and was later produced by the glassware company McCully & Co.
While the jar was produced in many colors, the black version has become extremely rare, hence its value. However, if you’re looking for one, know that a Black Amber Magic Star fruit jar has rarely ever been found for sale.
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1. Van Vliet Improved Jar, $23,500
If you were wondering if the $23,500 price tag is a mistake, it’s not. The Van Vliet improved jar really does cost five figures to own. Invented in 1881, the this jar has a distinguishing feature: a wire attached to the lid. As one of the first mason jar lid designs, this works by hooking to the bottom of the jar and sealing it completely.
The jar’s scarcity drives the price, as only a few exist today. The reason for this is because the Van Vliet factory was burned down in 1885, taking many of its jars with it. This is therefore the rarest Mason jar on the planet, which explains the $23,500 price tag.