Get gumball machines with metal cases and an inbuilt gumball bank system for an old and authentic make. 2. Antique Gumball Machine Shapes The older the antique, the more it’s worth. So, the first step to valuing a gumball machine is to find out its age via its manufacturing year! One way of doing so is to look for stamped dates or years on the base or top. But yes, that’s only for the branded pieces. Vintage gumball machines, as we know them today, were not there until the 1880s. In fact, Thomas Adams (the same person who made chewing gums) made a gumball globe just to hold and display his pieces. It was simply made of metal and glass globes. You’ll get antique gumball machines in three colors – bare metal, oxidized, and painted. Of these, the bare metal ones cost more due to their original finishes. Even the newer, red or blue ones are precious because of their hand touch.

Glass globe machines are just like those large chocolate machines you see today. So, you’ll see some common features like round tanks, trinkets, and chutes. But what’s different is their metal or wood bases, claw feet, and puppet animations. The hobby of collecting antique gumball machines can be rewarding and enjoyable, but it is important to learn some fundamentals before buying or selling. When you start collecting these coin-operated machines, you need to know their history and how to identify them accurately. Avoid getting chipped, scratched, broken, or faded gumball machines, as those might lose their value by 5 – 12%. 5. Old & Rare Gumball Machines Things took a fancy turn in the 1930s as the1920s and 1930s were all about Art Deco and Nouveau styles. So, even the gum machines had glass, porcelain, and iron motifs. And thanks to the Ford company, they even got coin slots for easy vending. But, these patent numbers were simply stamped with ink. So, it’s possible that the old, rusty models don’t have any numbers. In that case, use the following clues:

Vintage countertop gumball machines are the smallest and decorated of them all. So, you’ll also see ornate cut glass and porcelain filigree work on all sides. Plus, you can easily fit them onto regular countertops. Now, people didn’t use the same rolling gumball machines over the years. They explored more designs and added games that led to the four types below: 1. Glass Globe Gumball Machine (1900s) Gumball machines are antiques that look beautiful as part of the decoration of any place, and they have a particular charm that is hard to express. Straight sides, narrow walls, and a tapering base, Found in companies like Columbus A, Victor Topper, and Oak Acorn series

Avoid getting gumball machines with red oak walls, fasteners, screws, or metal castings, as those might be new and forged. 4. Old Gumball Machine Brands Now, it’s not that the base price is the final resale value! In fact, the final value also changes with various other factors like age, shape, and material. Here’s how: 1. Vintage Gumball Machine’s Date & Age These endearing collectibles can be a terrific place to start if you want to explore the interesting world of collecting antiques.This article will inform you about its origins, models, values, and how to identify genuine vintage Gumball machines from replicas. Vintage gumball machines won’t ever be painted from the inside. So if your device has red or blue ‘internal’ walls, it might be new and forged. 7. Vintage Gumball Machine Metal Casing Want to know how an old gumball machine’s value changes with the materials? Here’s a list: Old Gumball Machine Materials

The earliest gumball machines were all wood and metal, just like other antiques. But things took a sharp turn in the World War era. Since there was no money, makers shifted to brittle metals like plastic and acrylic. So, those are obviously cheaper than the antique models. But, then followed the Economic Depression and makers had to move to cheap plastic globes. And they even reduced the machine size and made 8-9” countertop models.