Solution Citrate Magnesia Bottle Value Guide

Period
1900-1940
Origin
United States
Materials
Glass

The Solution Citrate Magnesia bottle is a staple of early 20th-century American pharmacy history, originally used to house effervescent laxatives and antacids. These clear glass vessels are highly collectible due to their distinctive embossed lettering and their role as a common household remedy before the rise of modern pharmaceuticals.

What affects the value of Solution Citrate Magnesia Bottle?

  • Condition of the glass, specifically the absence of chips, cracks, or heavy 'clouding' from burial.
  • The presence of the original ceramic stopper and wire bail assembly significantly increases market value.
  • Rarity of the specific bottling company or city name if embossed alongside the standard product title.
  • The sharpness and depth of the embossing, as crisp lettering is more desirable to collectors.

How to Identify Solution Citrate Magnesia Bottle?

  • Look for the specific 'SOLUTION CITRATE MAGNESIA' text embossed directly into the clear glass body.
  • Examine the bottle for a porcelain or metal swing-top closure, which was common for carbonated medicinal solutions of this era.
  • Check the base for glass manufacturer marks that date the piece between 1900 and 1940.
  • Verify the glass clarity; authentic examples from this period often show small air bubbles or slight manufacturing imperfections.

History of Solution Citrate Magnesia Bottle

Citrate of Magnesia was a popular effervescent laxative and antacid during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These bottles, often with distinctive shapes and embossing, held a carbonated solution of magnesium citrate. They were widely used as a common household remedy before modern pharmaceuticals became prevalent. The bottles themselves are now collected for their historical significance and varied designs, reflecting a bygone era of medicinal packaging.

Related items

Have one in hand?

Snap it. Relic tells you what it is and what it's likely worth.

Scan yours with Relic →