As Coke continues to enter our lives through promotions of all types, collectors of the memorabilia realize the importance of this brand even more than those who simply love the drink. Collectors ferret out Coca-Cola items to decorate their homes wherever they can find them, always on the prowl for something interesting and fun.
And that's one of the main reasons people enjoy collecting Coke items, they're often associated with fun and happy occasions.
Clever marketers working for Coca-Cola used beautiful women and Santa Claus extensively in their ads over the years. After all, what's more fun than a gorgeous girl or Jolly 'Ole St. Nick? In fact, some aficionados credit the company for developing the image of Santa children know and love today.
Beyond these images, Coke related antiques and collectibles dating back to the late 1800s have priced themselves out of the market for the average collector.
Schroeder's Antiques Price Guide lists a Coca-Cola calendar dated 1907 complete and in better than excellent condition for $17,000. A Victorian lady tray from 1897 in very good condition lists for $15,000 in the same publication. It might be time to take a closer look at those Coke items you tucked away from grandma's estate.
Of course, when any collecting category produces pieces commanding prices in the thousands, reproductions follow close behind. Coke collectibles are no exception.
Since the 1970s, many Coca-Cola collectibles have been fabricated to mimic older items and passed off to those who didn't know better. Numerous trays and several of the calendars have definitely been reproduced and some of them are reported to be so close to authentic, they'll nearly fool an expert.
The fakes don't stop with the most expensive items, however. From bottles to coolers, reproductions abound in this area. Some items were made to look old, but never existed as originals. Collectors refer to these items as "fantasies."
Fantasy items range from belt buckles to bottle shaped knives and often make their way into antique shops, flea markets and shows. Even though most dealers don't intentionally sell them to dupe their customers, these fakes do eventually get passed on to uneducated collectors as authentic Coca-Cola collectibles.
To protect yourself and others, it's wise to purchase expensive pieces from a trustworthy dealer and to have items you own authenticated by an expert before trying to sell them for big bucks.
Even with all this questionable activity going on, avoiding the pitfalls of reproductions and fantasy items while enjoying Coke collecting remains a possibility. Purchasing affordable items you like, whether they're new or old, offers lovers of Coca-Cola memorabilia a way to join in on the fun.
Most people buying just investment purposes will disagree with this recommendation, but collecting isn't always about making money. Lots of people collect Coke items for sheer amusement. If they can't afford the older pieces, something newer will suffice.
Among these collectors are the gatherers of commemorative Coke bottles. These hounds seek six-ounce bottles distributed in conjunction with sporting events, charitable functions and even political rallies. Most of these commemoratives sell in the $3-10 range and probably won't increase much in value for quite some time.
But just to prove that newer collectibles can turn out to be valuable on occasion, a bottle from the 1992 Republican National Convention in Houston reportedly can sell in the $500 range if the right customer comes along. Why?
It seems parched Republicans opened most of the bottles on hand to quench their thirst during the big party wrapping up the event. Those lucky enough to save an unopened bottle for a souvenir made a wise decision.
So did folks who saved 1986 Coke items specially produced or marked with a centennial anniversary logo. Many of these collectibles are already valuable, including a set of nine international bottles in a plexiglass case listed in Schroeder's for $500.
Collectors devoted to vintage pieces pass on these commemorative bottles, and anything else produced since the 1970s with the 'Dynamic Contour' logo, a fancy name for the twisting white ribbon under the Coca-Cola or Coke emblem. Not a problem. That leaves all those newer items for collectors who thrist for Coke collectibles on a budget.
