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How to Identify Coke Bottles

On May 8, 1886, Dr. John Stith Pemberton, a Georgian pharmacist, invented the syrup that is now known as the basic ingredient for Coca-Cola. The Coca-Cola syrup was originally intended to be a pain medicine for it contained cocaine. Throughout the years, Coca-Cola has become one of the most popular soft drinks in the world. In 1970, the company began producing commemorative bottles to honor special events such as anniversaries, sports events and holidays. These bottles have become a highly sought after item for collectors. Although a majority of these bottles are worth only a little over $10, a few have become rare. There is a way for collectors to identify the bottles.

Instructions

- 1
  Locate the fluid ounces statement on the bottle. Bottles produced before 1992 usually contain 10 fluid ounces.Some bottles contain 6.5 or 7 ounces. Subsequent to 1992, the bottles hold 8 fluid ounces.
- 2
  Inspect the shape of the bottle. Eight-ounce bottles usually contain "hobbleskirt" shape. The "hobbleskirt" shape resembles a dress from the early 1900s. This skirt was wide around the waste area and very slim below the knees. Ten-ounce bottles were either tall with straight sides, and narrower at the top, or short, with a wider body that narrowed toward the top.
- 3
  View the label or imprint on the front of bottle. Most commemorative bottles display the special event and some labels or imprints state the year of production.
- 4
  Compare your bottle to other bottles on a Coca-Cola bottle collector web site. Using the label, shape and size of the bottle, you can use a web site dedicated to identifying Coca-Cola bottles to verify the special event or year your bottle was produced.

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