RC Royal Crown Cola Bottle Value Guide

This 1936 Royal Crown Cola bottle represents a pivotal era in American soft drink history, following the brand's name change from Chero-Cola in 1934. It is highly collectible due to its early use of applied color labeling (ACL) and its status as a landmark design from the Columbus, Georgia-based company.

What affects the value of RC Royal Crown Cola Bottle?

• Condition of the applied color label, as fading or 'case wear' significantly reduces the $35 market value.
• Presence of original glass clarity without heavy clouding, chips, or 'sick glass' syndrome.
• Rarity of the specific bottling location marks often found on the bottom of the vessel.
• The preservation of the 1936 date stamp which confirms its status as an early post-rebranding example.

How to Identify RC Royal Crown Cola Bottle?

• Verify the 12-fluid-ounce capacity embossed or printed on the glass body.
• Check for the specific 1936 date code typically found on the base or lower heel of the green glass.
• Ensure the 'Royal Crown' logo is an applied color label (ACL) rather than a paper label or simple embossing.
• Look for the distinctive green glass tint characteristic of mid-1930s RC production.

History of RC Royal Crown Cola Bottle

Royal Crown Cola, often shortened to RC Cola, was developed in 1905 by Claud A. Hatcher, a pharmacist in Columbus, Georgia. Initially called Chero-Cola, the name was changed to Royal Crown Cola in 1934. The 1936 bottle design with its distinctive applied color label is a classic example of early soda advertising, marking a period of innovation in bottling and branding for soft drinks in the United States.