Appraising Tinned Food Containers

Tin cans from the 19th and early 20th centuries are highly collectible but require careful examination.

Distinguishing Between Tinplate and Steel

• Use a magnet to test the ferrous metal content of the can body.
• Tinplate is a thin layer of tin over steel, while steel cans are heavier.
• Steel cans are more prone to denting and permanent deformation.

Reading the "Best Before" Era Codes

• Codes usually consist of a number and a letter representing the month.
• The year is often encoded in the first digit of the code.
• Research specific manufacturer codes for the era of production to verify date.

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