Craft beer sales may be slowing, but one collector just dropped six figures on a single vintage can. While many independent breweries are tightening belts and battling for tap handles, a rare Chief Oshkosh Crowntainer beer can fetched an eye-popping $111,150 at Morean Auctions. The early 1950s can, believed to be the only one of its kind, now holds the record for the most expensive beer can ever sold — or so the press release says.
When asked about the groundbreaking sale, Morean reflected, “It was both thrilling and validating to see the price surpass $100,000. These old beer cans were never meant to be collectibles. They were designed to be disposed of, which makes them incredibly rare. Collectors have had a deep passion for them since the 1970s, and it’s gratifying to see them gain the recognition they truly deserve.”
The unicorn can: Chief Oshkosh Crowntainer
Painted white, crowned with Native iconography, and brewed circa 1951, the Chief Oshkosh Crowntainer has a cool backstory. It was likely held in a safe at Oshkosh Brewing Co. for years. After the brewery shuttered, the can passed through a series of passionate collectors — from a mailman-car-bartering deal in the ‘70s to a wooden replica carved by a regretful ex-owner. Over the decades, it changed hands through legends of the hobby: Paul Esslinger, Dave Peck, Bob McCoy, and more. Each trade layered mystique, and when it hit the Morean stage in 2025, collectors knew: this was the can. Read the whole story on Breweriana.com’s Facebook page.
Who is Morean Auctions?
If you collect vintage beer cans, Morean Auctions is the house you already know. Based in Brimfield, Massachusetts, it’s the only licensed auction firm specializing in beer cans and alcohol advertising. Founder Dan Morean evolved from online sales via Breweriana.com (since 1997) into full-blown auctions in 2016. The Chief Oshkosh sale wasn’t a one-off. Morean also set the previous record at $93,600. This team knows how to photograph, promote, and preserve beer collectibles better than anyone. Their in-house shipping, low consignment lead times, and deep connection to hobbyists have earned them loyalty from the top collections in the country.
Join the crowntainer collective
This record-breaking sale highlights a truth craft brewers know well: beer is more than a beverage. It’s culture. That includes cans. Collectors look for:
- Pre-1960 steel cans, especially cone tops and crowntainers
- Rare variants from small regional breweries
- Commemorative designs, misprints, or short-run graphics
- Condition — even surface scratches matter
Your average Billy Beer? Maybe $2. But a flat-top Hop Gold Ye Old English Ale in mint shape? Now we’re talking.
Getting started: tips for beer can collecting
- Start small. Hit up garage sales, flea markets, or local breweries with historical flair.
- Join a club. Groups like the Brewery Collectibles Club of America (BCCA) and NABABREW offer guides, events, and local chapter meetups.
- Learn to grade. The United States Beer Cans Vol I & II provide values and condition breakdowns.
- Open from the bottom. Collectors prefer empties, and bottom-opened cans retain their visual appeal.
- Keep it dry. Steel cans rust fast. Store your treasures safely.
Want more? Visit the BCCA website for forums, price guides, and a helpful FAQ that debunks myths about your old MAS*H can stash.
Beer is temporary. The can is forever.
Whether you brew, collect, or just enjoy history in a six-ounce cylinder, this record-breaking Chief Oshkosh Crowntainer proves it: old beer cans still have fresh stories to tell. So, next time you crack a cold one, save the can. You never know when today’s design becomes tomorrow’s crown jewel.
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