Mystery amber bottle, pontiled?

[dshaneb]

Hey everyone, I'm new here and my name is Shane. I recently won a bottle and have a few pics of it, though I haven't received it yet. I will try to attach the pics. It looks like it has a pontil, a seam where the neck was added to the molded body, and its only marking is four dots on the base. Any idea of age? value? identity? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Shane

 

[dshaneb]

Pic #2

 

[dshaneb]

Pic #3

 

[crunchtime]

These type of bottles are generally referred to as ale bottles. Age range is late 1870's - mid 1880's. Worth only a few bucks if being sold, but probably has much more 'personal value' to who ever actually dug it up!

 

[dshaneb]

Thanks for the info, crunchtime. I was under the impression that from the pontil mark (if that's what it is), and the neck/body seam, that it would date before 1866. I thought that was the date pontils generally ended. To what date did they go? I'm new to this stuff, but thanks for the info. 1870s to mid 1880s is still cool.

Shane

 

[dshaneb]

Upon receiving this bottle and closely inspecting it, it is not the amber color that the lighting and dirt in the photo make it appear to be. When I finally get a digital camera, I will try to post a new picture. The bottle is actually a deep olive green color. How does this effect its age, value, etc...?

Thanks,
Shane

 

[diggerjeff]

the olive color is typical of this type bottle . it does not increase the value.

 

[BRIAN S.]

We dug these Black beers or Ales if you prefer by the hundreds or maybe even thousands in Tampa. We thru most back in the hole and covered them up. They are very common and although there are nice looking bottles. We had trouble selling them at Shows for a buck a piece. So , that's why we left most of them at the site we were digging. Brian

 

[WhiteLighting]

could be a min water bottle aswell,.....kinda looks like afew of the Hawthorn/Empress bases...

 

[dshaneb]

Do the four dots on the base signify anything particular? Just wondering.