10 Vintage Advertising Tins That Show Off Bold Retro Graphics

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Coca-Cola Red Script Tin

This vintage Coca-Cola tin captures the spirit of old soda shops with its vivid red color and elegant cursive script. The design evokes nostalgia for the 1940s and 1950s, when Coca-Cola used clean, confident branding that stood out in diners and vending machines.

Collectors appreciate how the tin reflects the early transition to mass marketing through eye-catching design. Today, these tins typically sell for $60 to $120, with rare promotional editions fetching more.

Quaker Oats Round Tin

Quaker Oats tins from the early 1900s remain prized for their pastoral artwork and early branding appeal. The image of the Quaker man was printed in deep blue and white, exuding calm reliability and trust during the turn of the century.

Because of their sturdy build, many of these tins survived decades of storage use. Collectors value them between $40 and $100 depending on the specific label version and condition of the lid.

Lipton Tea Storage Tin

Lipton Tea tins from the mid-20th century are admired for their ornate floral patterns and gold-toned accents. The rich graphics made these tins a common sight in kitchens, doubling as both packaging and household decor.

Collectors often search for the versions featuring tea plantations and ships, as they reflect Lipton’s early branding around global trade. These tins are usually valued between $35 and $90 depending on rarity and preservation.

Hershey’s Cocoa Tin

Hershey’s Cocoa tins from the 1920s and 1930s showcase a simple yet appealing brown and gold color scheme. The typography and border details reflect the early American industrial era, when packaging was designed to balance beauty with utility.

The Hershey name carries wide recognition, adding sentimental and historical worth to these tins. Well-kept examples can fetch $80 to $160 depending on rarity and lid design.

Colman’s Mustard Yellow Tin

The bright yellow Colman’s Mustard tin is an unmistakable icon from British advertising history. Its proud bull’s head emblem and bold lettering communicate strength and tradition, dating back to the Victorian era.

Collectors enjoy how the tin still reflects the same color and design seen on modern shelves. Vintage versions with intact print can range from $40 to $120 based on age and color vibrancy.

Nabisco Uneeda Biscuit Tin

The Uneeda Biscuit tin by Nabisco marked one of the earliest attempts to advertise pre-packaged food as trustworthy and hygienic. Its design, with a boy in a raincoat carrying a biscuit box, captured attention instantly in the early 1900s.

This tin played a vital role in American marketing, combining a character and slogan to create brand recognition. Today, authentic Uneeda tins are valued between $120 and $250, especially when featuring clear lithographs.

Cracker Jack Popcorn Tin

The Cracker Jack tin brings to life early 20th-century carnival fun with its nautical theme and animated boy mascot. Its design, full of reds and blues, mirrors the playful spirit of the brand’s early prize-filled popcorn boxes.

Many collectors enjoy these tins as part of Americana nostalgia, linking them to baseball and fairgrounds. Prices usually range between $70 and $150, with limited promotional runs valued higher.

Blue Bird Toffee Tin

Blue Bird Toffee tins from England featured rich illustrations of birds, countryside scenes, and sweet treats. The designs are loved for their warmth and artistic detail, making them display-worthy pieces of vintage confectionery packaging.

Because the tins were often reused for keepsakes, surviving examples often show charming wear. Depending on the design, these tins can sell for $60 to $140, with earlier 1930s versions fetching more.

Huntley & Palmers biscuit tins are admired for their elaborate Victorian and Edwardian artwork. These tins often displayed garden scenes, royal emblems, and soft color tones that reflected elegance and sophistication. The company treated its tins as miniature pieces of art, which helped them stand apart from simpler packaging of the era.

Collectors treasure these tins for their variety of themes and craftsmanship. Depending on the design and production year, prices range from $100 to $250, with rare illustrated versions reaching even higher values.

Borden’s Malted Milk Tin

Borden’s Malted Milk tins are a favorite among collectors who appreciate nostalgic grocery advertising. With their cream-colored bodies and red script, they captured the wholesome image of early 20th-century family nutrition.

The tins often featured the Borden cow, which became a memorable advertising icon. Depending on size and condition, vintage Borden’s tins typically sell for $60 to $120.

This article originally appeared on Avocadu.