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Also in the early thirties, however, flat top or punch top cans became popular. These cans had a solid top which a church-key or can punch had to be used to open the beer can for consumption.

In the late fifties pull tabs became available and were in used until the late seventies when pop tops and push tabs came out.

So what makes a can valuable and why? Will that can of Billy Beer my parents kept in the attic make me rich? Rarity is what makes a can valuable to a collector. No one wants a Billy Beer and no one will pay you anything significant for one. Rarity is the primary factor in determining value. Condition of the can is also a major factor.

Many of the older cans from the thirties and forties are valuable. Most cone tops have at least some value even if they are fairly common ones. Most flat tops have some value even if fairly common ones. Rare ones of either, however, can be worth hundreds or thousands. Ebay is a good source for checking values. The Beer Can Collectors of America have a published book on cone tops and flat tops which also indicates value and rarity of certain older cans.

Some cans that are more recent are still worth a significant amount of money. Some limited edition collectible cans such as the James Bond series are worth hundreds of dollars per can and regularly sell on ebay for such.

Where does one find these gems? The key is finding good old cans that are still in good condition. Garage sales, antique stores and estate sales often sell cans but some have seriously inflated prices. Before spending money at one of these you better know your values.

Dump sites for old bars often have cans which are still salvageable even after sixty or seventy years. Cleaning takes some work and that alone would take up another whole article. Attics and crawl spaces sometimes contain old cans in older houses and buildings. Sometimes when condemned buildings are torn down old cans are discovered in hidden places. The possibilities are endless. If you find an old can it may be worth something. Check ebay before you throw it out.

Learn more about this author, Joseph Mohr.
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