Coin Spot: Opalescent Patterned Glass
Coin Spot is a popular pattern in American Victorian art glass characterized by circular opalescent spots (resembling coins) evenly distributed across the surface of the glass. Produced primarily from the 1880s through the early 1900s, Coin Spot glass was made by several factories including Hobbs, Brockunier & Co., Northwood Glass Company, Buckeye Glass, and others in the Ohio Valley glass-producing region. The pattern appears in a wide range of colors and forms, from water pitchers and tumblers to cruets, syrup jugs, and lamp shades.
History and Production
- 1880s: Hobbs, Brockunier & Co. of Wheeling, West Virginia, was among the first to produce coin spot opalescent glass
- 1890s: Harry Northwood and other glassmakers expanded the pattern into numerous colors and forms
- The opalescent spots are created by pressing or molding the glass with raised dots, then reheating the piece; the thicker glass at the raised dots turns opalescent white while the thinner background remains transparent
- Production continued into the early 1900s, with Fenton Art Glass later reviving similar patterns
Colors and Varieties
- Cranberry: Deep red with white opalescent spots; the most sought-after color
- Blue: Ranging from pale to deep cobalt with opalescent spots
- Green: Various shades from light to dark
- Amber/Topaz: Warm golden tones with white spots
- Clear (crystal): Transparent glass with white opalescent spots
- Rubina: Shading from red at top to clear at bottom
- Vaseline/canary: Yellow-green uranium glass with opalescent spots
Auction Price Ranges
| Form | Color | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Water pitcher | Cranberry | $200 - $800 |
| Cruet with stopper | Cranberry | $150 - $500 |
| Syrup jug | Cranberry, original lid | $200 - $600 |
| Water pitcher | Blue | $100 - $400 |
| Tumbler | Cranberry | $40 - $150 |
| Barber bottle | Any color | $100 - $400 |
| Lamp shade | Any color | $75 - $300 |
| Sugar shaker | Cranberry, original lid | $150 - $450 |
Condition Factors
- Spot definition: Well-defined, evenly distributed opalescent spots indicate quality production; weak or irregular spots suggest a lesser piece
- Color saturation: Strong, even background color is preferred; pale or uneven coloration reduces desirability
- Original fittings: Cruets, syrup jugs, and sugar shakers should retain their original stoppers, lids, and hardware; replacements reduce value 30-50%
- Chips and cracks: Rim chips on tumblers and pitchers are common; even small chips reduce value significantly
- Applied handles: Check for stress cracks where handles join the body; this is a common failure point
Collecting Tips
- Cranberry coin spot commands the highest prices across all forms; blue is the second most desirable color
- Complete sets (pitcher with matching tumblers) bring disproportionate premiums over individual pieces
- Original metal fittings on cruets, syrup jugs, and castor frames are essential for full value; verify that lids and stoppers match the glass piece
- Distinguish coin spot from coin dot -- coin spot has opalescent spots on a colored ground; coin dot (or polka dot) may refer to slightly different patterns or production methods
- Fenton reproductions: Fenton Art Glass produced coin spot/dot glass from the mid-20th century; these are typically marked and not presented as Victorian, but unmarked examples can cause confusion
- Display opalescent glass where light passes through it -- the beauty of the pattern is best appreciated when backlit