The swirls are usually different colors and the more colors used for the swirls, the more valuable the marble is. Marbles that feature no spaces between the colors are the most prized as collectibles.

Which marbles are worth the most?

When it comes to glass, handmade antique marbles are most valuable. They can be easily identified because they have a tiny scar, or pontil mark, where they were cut from the glass rod while being made.

How can you tell a vintage marble?

Hold the marbles up to the light and look for subtle flaws or marks that indicate the age. Older marbles will have certain bubbles or flaws caused by the glass-blowing process. Compare the colors of one type of marble to another.

Are old marbles worth any money?

There are thousands of marbles of each design produced. Marbles of yesteryear, though, are more unique. Collector marbles that are very rare will fetch a larger amount of money. Many of these marbles can be worth hundreds of dollars, with the rarest ones worth thousands.

What is a Pontil on a marble?

The pontil is characterized by a tiny finger of glass that is folded over at the cut-off point and partially melted into the marble surface. This pontil is formed by a similar process to the Pinpoint Pontil. The glass was a little too cool when it sheared off into the machine.

What are the really big marbles called?

Any marble larger than the majority may be termed a boulder, bonker, cosher, masher, plumper, popper, shooter, thumper, smasher, goom, noogie, taw, bumbo, crock, bumboozer, bowler, tonk, tronk, godfather, tom bowler, fourer, giant, dobber, dobbert, hogger, biggie or toebreaker.

What does a Pontil mark on a marble look like?

Examine the pontil marks that appear to be real. These lines are typically rough and extend out in a ripple-like pattern. Shear lines may appear rough depending on the machine that created them, but they will run along the marble in thin lines that look like cracks in glass.