The value of antique Ball, Mason and Kerr canning jars varies greatly. Typical prics range from $8 to $25 a jar.

How do you tell how old Kerr Mason jars are?

Check the jar from top to bottom. The Kerr name will be embossed on the glass. There are some general guidelines to approximate the date of a vintage Kerr jar between 1915 and 1930. The finish on a fruit jar can tell you roughly about the date it was made.

Are Kerr Mason jars old?

A Brief History of Kerr Mason Jars The Kerr Glass Manufacturing Co. began in Portland, OR in 1904. The Kerr name first appeared on a mason jar in 1915 as Kerr Economy. Later, the Economy was dropped, and the Kerr name was featured prominently, along with Self Sealing, as Kerr Self Sealing Trademark Reg.

Are Kerr and Ball the same company?

If the Kerr jars and their packaging looks eerily similar to that of Ball jars, its because theyre basically the same: Both Ball and Kerr brands are now owned and manufactured by the parent company Jarden.

Are Ball jars and mason jars the same thing?

A Mason jar is a molded glass jar that is originally used in canning to preserve food. Other common names for the original Mason jar include Ball jars (after the Ball Corporation), fruit jars and simply glass canning jars. All Mason jars are not created equal.

How old is my mason jar?

So if you have some old jars, how do you know their true age? If you have a Ball jar, you can date most of them just by looking at the logo. Every few years, the Ball Manufacturing Co changed the logo and if you compare yours to a reliable chart, you know how old it is. All you need is a chart like the one below.

What does the number on the bottom of blue Mason jars mean?

Many Ball mason jars have a number printed on the bottom of the jar, but this is a mold number that does not indicate the year of production. Rather, the mold number tells you where the jar was positioned on the glass-making machine that was used to produce it.