Coca-Cola Contour Bottle Value Guide

The Coca-Cola Contour Bottle is a masterpiece of industrial design, originally created by the Root Glass Company to be recognizable even in the dark. This iconic 'hobbleskirt' shape, inspired by the cocoa bean, remains one of the most successful examples of brand packaging in history.

What Is Coca-Cola Contour Bottle Worth?

The typical price range for Coca-Cola Contour Bottle is $8 - $12 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The presence of specific city names on the bottom can increase desirability for regional collectors.
• Condition of the glass, including the absence of 'case wear' or cloudiness from being buried, significantly impacts the $8-$12 price range.
• Clarity and depth of the embossed lettering and the trademark registration markings.
• The specific date code found on the base, with certain years being more common than others.

How to Identify Coca-Cola Contour Bottle?

• Look for the distinctive light green glass color and the embossed Coca-Cola script logo on the center of the bottle.
• Check the base for embossed city names and specific date codes used to identify the manufacturing plant.
• Verify the 'hobbleskirt' silhouette, which features a narrow waist and wider middle section consistent with the 1915 patent design.
• Ensure the glass is thick and heavy, characteristic of the 1940-1960 production era before thinner glass became standard.

History of Coca-Cola Contour Bottle

The iconic contour bottle was patented in 1915 by the Root Glass Company of Terre Haute, Indiana, following a competition to design a bottle so unique it could be recognized by touch alone or even if broken. The design was inspired, though indirectly, by the shape of a cocoa bean. It was officially registered as a trademark in 1977, cementing its status as one of the most famous and recognizable packaging designs in global history. The bottles often feature city names and date codes embossed on the base, which helps collectors pinpoint the exact time and location of manufacture.