There a millions of variations of beer cans. To attempt to classify and value all of them is impossible.
Let's take an example from the state of Minnesota. 95% OF PEOPLE WHO CONTACT ME have can collections
that were left by a son or comprised of 1980's junk. Let's dispel a few can myths now:
I have a FULL CAN-is it worth more??
Full cans ARE NOT worth more.More than likely,the old beer is seeping like black goo out of the seam and has turned to vinegar.If the can is a cone/spout top,place a quarter on the cap, then pry it off. This will preserve the cap, can, AND it costs less to mail.
I have a lot of aluminum cans in my collection!
The rule here is-if its aluminum,you should recycle it. There are VERY few aluminum cans worth the metal they were made of.
Is my BILLY/J.R./MASH/HARLEY DAVIDSON etc. can worth a lot??
Sorry-you should have drank this swill after you bought it. Everyone and their Grandma saved a six pack. If I could get a dime for the countless cases I have of this stuff, I'd deliver it to the buyer.
How about the SCHMIDT cans? I have the whole set of wildlife cans!
Like Billy beer,every MN teenager started collecting by assembling the pyramid of Schmidt scenic cans. The original set had 17, then they added 4 more. There are a few exceptions-check the back of the cans. The MOST COMMON are from G. Heileman Brewing. But if you have some with a WIDE WHITE or YELLOW seam on the back, they have some value. If they were opened with a can opener and have a METALLIC/SHINY border around the Schmidt logo, keep em.
I found a bunch of junk during our remodeling job-bottles,cans,etc...should I keep it?
Heres a good example-a guy calls me asking about Hamms cans.I'm trying to pin down the era they are from,so my questioning finally gets to "Do they have instructions on how to open the can printed on the back?" Well, they did. He was installing a furnace and found "vice alley" in the basement. FULL of whiskey bottles, beer and food cans. These were the first cans Hamm's put out in the late 30's.They were in pretty good shape. I think he would have been happy with a few dollars, but I paid him MORE than the installation job made him.
So,I have cans,and you have money-what do I do?
I realize that you are reading words off a website, and have no idea WHO you are dealing with. Same here. I've done deals over the phone, in person and through the mail. I belong to 3 national and 2 local beer groups. I started collecting in 1976 or so, and my hobby keeps me current of information and prices. In the old days,cans were mailed on an "approval" basis. The buyer would get the cans, assess their value, call the seller to discuss his offer, then send the money. In today's age, a digital camera and email are terrific.(Hey,you found me, didn't you?)
I don't care about this stuff-why do you?
Well-to most people, its trash or tacky. But to me, its the reminder of yesterday's taverns, picnics at the beach and having a tap beer at a hamburger joint. There's nothing I enjoy more than being STUMPED on a date, brewery or advertising. Sure,the actual pieces are great, a visual reminder of the people and stories I meet along the way. I can't take it with me, but I can sure preserve, display and enjoy it now. Rest assured, if you have decent beer cans, they will go to a loving home here in Minnesota. If I have it, I'll tell you what its worth. If I don't, you'll be paid fairly and treated like I'd want to be.
Surprise me!!
Barrry the beerguy
