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How old are Atlas canning jars?

Author

William Rodriguez

Published Jan 19, 2026

Since 1964, Atlas jars have been made by many different alternate companies and have been most recently used for Classico's pasta sauces. They're not the original Hazel-Atlas jars. Original jars range in price from $10-60, depending on condition, color, and age.

How do you date Atlas canning jars?

Dating an Atlas Mason Jar

  1. Look for Mold Seams. Examine the jar to see if it has lines or mold seams from its construction. ...
  2. Check the Texture of the Glass. ...
  3. Note the Name. ...
  4. Examine the Jar's Condition. ...
  5. Check the Style. ...
  6. Consider the Color. ...
  7. Compare to Recent Sales Prices.

What year did Atlas mason jars come out?

Authentic Atlas mason jars were mason jars made by the Hazel-Atlas Glass Company, which was in business from 1902 to 1964. Since then, Atlas jars have been made by a different company and are used to package Classico pasta sauces.

When did they stop making Atlas mason jars?

The Hazel-Atlas Glass Company, famous for its depression glass, made the Atlas mason jars and operated from 1902 until 1964.

Are Atlas mason jars worth any money?

Atlas Mason Jars sell under $10 – $15 on average, and the valuable ones aren't worth more than $200 individually. Also, to help you in your collection journey is a total value and identification guide, so you don't feel overwhelmed by indulging in your new hobby.

26 related questions found

How do you date old Mason jars?

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.

How do you identify Hazel-Atlas glasses?

For example, Hazel Atlas made small square bowls with ruffled rims and pressed diamonds on the outside. You'll find these at almost every flea market or antique store and it's great to know who made them. Lots of Hazel Atlas kitchen glass, jars and tumblers are marked with the HA, but many are not.

Do they still make Atlas Mason jars?

Likely you've heard of Ball. They're the most commonly used these days when it comes to canning and storage, along with Jardin and Kerr. However, Atlas came around later and is still a highly sought-after vintage mason jar.

When did Hazel-Atlas go out of business?

Hazel-Atlas Glass Company (1902-1964)

What are the most valuable Mason jars?

The most valuable mason jars are:

  1. Van Vliet Improved Jar – $23,500.
  2. Black Amber Magic Star Fruit Jar – $3,000. ...
  3. 1933 Ball Upside Down Error Jar – $1,000. There are two types of Ball upside-down Mason jars. ...
  4. The 1870 Chief Mason Jar – $800. (Photo: gregspurgeon.com) ...
  5. 1858 Willoughby Stopple Jar – $500. (Photo: hoosierjar.com) ...

Are Atlas Mason jars safe for canning?

The jars being stamped Mason Atlas has more to do with marketing than anything else. They are lighter than actual mason canning jars, although the seals and rings for mason jars will fit on them. Therefore, you should NOT use empty Classic jars for home canning!

Are old canning jars worth anything?

Value depends on a lot of factors, but many canning jars sell for under $15. However, these are a few notable examples of what your canning jar could be worth: An antique Ball brand perfect Mason jar sold on eBay for about $80, likely because its deep olive green color is relatively rare.

What do the numbers mean on the bottom of Ball jars?

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.

What are old Mason jars worth?

The smaller and more common vintage jars usually sell for less than $20. However, the vintage green jars or those with special wire carriers can sell in excess of $300.

How old is Hazel Atlas glassware?

It was founded in 1902 in Washington, Pennsylvania, as the merger of four companies: Hazel Glass and Metals Company (started in 1887) Atlas Glass Company (started 1896)

Who bought Hazel-Atlas?

In the early 1960s, Continental Can was ordered to dispose of glass container plants it acquired when it bought Hazel-Atlas.

What is the mark for Anchor Hocking?

The “L-398” was a code number for that particular bottle mold / design. The first identification mark used by the Anchor Hocking Glass Corporation was an “Anchor superimposed over an H” or “Anchor and letter H entwined” which has been in use since 1938.

Are all Hazel-Atlas pieces marked?

Not all Hazel-Atlas items are labeled, but the maker's mark is a good place to start to determine authenticity. It is a curved “H” with an “A” nested neatly underneath.

Does Hazel-Atlas glass have lead?

Vintage Orange Hazel Atlas Milk Glass Mug: 24,100 ppm Lead + 1,546 ppm Cadmium + 39 ppm Mercury. Cadmium causes cancer.

When was Hazel-Atlas Moderntone made?

Moderntone was produced from 1934 to 1942. The earliest production was probably crystal as we know that Hazel Atlas didn't produce Ritz blue (cobalt) much earlier than 1936.

How do I identify Old Ball Mason jars?

The logo imprinted on each jar is, by far, the easiest and fastest way to determine the approximate age your Ball mason jar.
...
Rare Finds

  1. Logo Imperfections. One of the most common imperfections are misspelled words in the logo. ...
  2. Upside Down Jars. ...
  3. Size. ...
  4. Jars With Original Lids.

How old are Knox Mason jars?

The Knox jars were made in the 1940s by the Knox Glass Bottle Co. in Knox, PA The pints and quarts are worth about $6.

Do old Mason jars contain lead?

Ball is the most consistently Lead-free brand I have found (with just a few exceptions.) Conversely, almost all Kerr jars I have tested have been positive for low-levels of lead (20 to 40 ppm range) – with very few exceptions.

Can you freeze Atlas Mason jars?

Mason jars are a workhorse in the kitchen, and are the perfect simplified storage solution because they can be used in so many different ways. They're durable, are plastic-free, inexpensive, and work perfectly in the pantry, fridge and in the freezer.

Are Classico jars real mason jars?

To retain those rich, authentic flavors, it makes sense that Classico® sauces are stored in glass Mason jars just as you would store your own sauces at home.