Are old German beer steins worth anything?

Are old German beer steins worth anything?

German beer steins can sell for under $50 or over $5,000, but many sell in the $100 to $500 range. To determine whether your stein is a valuable antique or just a cool collectible, you need to look for clues about how old the stein is, where it was made, and how it was made.

How do I know if my beer stein is valuable?

How to Tell if a Beer Stein is Valuable

1. It’s German. If it’s made in Germany, odds are your stein is special.
2. The lid is lighter on the inside.
3. There’s no bump on the handle.
4. It’s hand-painted.
5. It tells a story.
6. It’s made out of an expensive substance.
7. Read more about collectibles and antiques on the SecurCare blog.

What is a regimental stein?

Regimental Steins were usually produced in porcelain, occasionally they were of pottery or stoneware or very rarely of glass or pewter. The decorations generally depicted typical training scenes, portraits or rarely combat scenes. The glazes on these steins included great varieties of color and brilliance.

How do I identify old German beer steins?

Markings and Identification

1. Country of Origin. The country-of-origin mark tells you how old a stein mug is.
2. Condition of the Beer Stein Lid. The lid of a mug will tell you a lot about its value.
3. Decorative Figures and Shapes.
4. Handle Bumps.
5. Hand-painted.
6. Materials.
7. Oldest Known Steins.
8. Standard Stein Shape.

How can you tell if a German stein is real?

Stein lids Cheap varieties have a very rough lid look without a stamp. Be careful because you can sometimes face a Chinese stein with an original German lid with a pressed stamp. Keep in mind that the lid’s soft metal will darken on the air over time. However, its inside is always lighter than the outside.

What is a bump on a beer stein?

The presence of a bump on the handle means your German beer stein has been made relatively recently.

Why did tankards have lids?

The lid. The lids on beer mugs serve as a sanitary measure, especially to keep insects out of the beer. They are usually made out of pewter, and are usually equipped with a lever that is in reach of the thumb, so that it is possible to grab the mug and open and close the lid with a single hand.