How do I know if my beer stein is valuable?

How to Tell if Your German Beer Stein Is Valuable

1. If the inside of the pewter lid is lighter than the outside, that indicates authenticity.
2. Hand-painted steins will have minor imperfections and feel raised.
3. Hand-carved designs indicate authenticity, and those with a German patriotic scheme can be more valuable.

What is my German beer stein worth?

German Stein Value You can find an antique German beer stein at a price range from $50 to $5,000. The precise information about the particular piece can make a difference of thousands of dollars. For example, a 17th-century American tankard, which belonged to one family for generations, was sold for $140,000.

How can you tell if a beer stein is vintage?

If it’s dipped in a darkening agent and made to look old, the entire lid will be dark. However, if upon opening your stein, the inside of the lid is lighter than the outside, you may have a stein of significant value.

Why do old beer steins 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.

Why do beer mugs have dimples?

The dimples prevent the glass slipping out of the fingers in a washing-up bowl, and the design of the glass emphasises strength, also to withstand frequent manual washing. These design features became less important when manual washing was superseded by machine washing from the 1960s onwards.

What are the big German beer glasses called?

They are called Maß! The first steins in Germany were actually called “Steinkrug”, which literally means “stone jug”.

Are beer steins safe to drink from?

Yes! The beer steins, mugs, horns, boots, shots and glass drink-ware listed on our website are safe to use for beverages.

How do I sell my beer steins?

Ask an appraiser to value the beer stein, especially if you feel like it’s worth some money. Sell the item at a garage sale, swap meet or other sale if you know it’s not worth anything and you want to get rid of it. You can also sell it online on an auction site if the item is worth some money.

What is the difference between a stein and a tankard?

A tankard is usually made from glass and has a handle, and it traditionally holds holds a pint of beer. A stein is a one litre or half-litre vessel that is often ceramic, and usually has a lid and a handle. Stein’s can be elaborately decorated.

How much is in a stein?

The Stein Glass will hold 2 pints however the line on the glass is unofficial and may be slightly inaccurate.

Why use a beer stein?

Beer steins came into the world during the time of the Bubonic Plague and, as a result of the deadly epidemic, Germany mandated that beverage containers must be covered for sanitary purposes. Conical tops with thumb levers (usually made of pewter) topped the beer steins, keeping flies and their associated diseases out.