COLLECTIBLE POCKET MIRRORS

There are thousands of collectible pocket mirrors and perhaps a hundred ways to collect them. Some people collect items that fit a theme like American Indians, transportation, saloons, cigars or pretty women. Some may collect items from their city, state or region. Mirrors overlap into other collectible areas. Examples are mirrors from political campaigns, world's fairs and Coke.

I did an eBay search on February 19, 2026, for "advertising pocket mirror" and got more than 4400 listings. I suspect fewer than 5% would be considered numismatic.

If the mirror says "GOOD FOR 10 CENTS IN TRADE" it has a stated value and qualifies like metal "GOOD FOR" tokens. If it states GOOD FOR ONE DRINK" it also qualifies as a "GOOD FOR" trade token. Average costs to merchants was six cents.

Celluloid is considered the first plastic. It is produced from nitrocellulose treated with camphor. The celluloid is the clear layer over a printed image and a metal shell. This is considered the front. It is crimped over a glass mirror for the back.

Celluloid mirrors were popular from the 1890's up to Prohibition. Whitehead & Hoag of Newark, New Jersey, patented the first use of celluloid / paper / steel pinbacks and pocket mirrors in 1901.These are the mirrors that command the highest prices. Thank to Alan Weinberg for his comments about celluloid mirrors.

This is a typical good-for trade mirror. I picked this example because it is from Minnesota. This little girl gets around. She appears on dozens of similar mirrors.

Aurora is a small town north of Duluth

CARL ERICKSON'S, AURORA, MINN.

   

This is an example of a birthstone theme mirror popular with jewelry stores but also used for many other businesses. The central image of a child is somewhat unusual.

E. J. MARTIN. TARYTOWN, N. Y.

   

Any mirror with the word "Saloon" on it automatically increases its interest and value. The young woman pictured is much younger than many women in these mirrors.

R. McGEER, VALENTINE, NEBRASKA

   

While all saloon mirrors are good, saloon mirrors from western states are even better. I have driven through New Castle, Wyoming, after a hundred miles without a gas station.

PETE ALMANETTO, NEW CASTLE, WYO.

   

Another saloon mirror to introduce the concept of risqué mirrors. This a very mild example. There were many non-numismatic mirrors that feature Victorian nudes or boudoir photos.

COURT HOUSE SALOON, SAN ANDREAS, CAL.

   

Hal V. Dunn compiled a book Catalog of Western Good For Trade Mirrors.(1995)

 

The photos for the covers of Dunn's book were taken by Jack Collins in Alan Weinberg's kitchen. It was published by Paul Koppenhaver and Koppenhaver Press in 1995.

The Celluloid era included mirrors that were generally given away as advertising and promotional items. Promoters recognized the market and produced later mirrors for sale to collectors. Although some continue to be advertised as celluloid, the plastic was more likely to be acrylic.

I like this mirror because it reminds me of an AVA horsecar mirror. It does not look like it is a hundred years old. Research indicates the Nashville Flea Market was started in 1969.

Here is another clue to age. On February 19, 2026, this item is available on eBay at a "Buy it Now" price of $9.99. I did not buy it.

   

Many images have been reproduced with modern materials. Among the popular themes are Coke and portraits of attractive women. These may be deceptive for inexperienced collectors. If a mirror does not look like it is a hundred years old, it probably is not.

Coins encased in aluminum frames are normal. Coins encased within steel advertising mirrors are special. Mirrors with Indian Head cents are quite desirable. With an aluminum frame, original coins can be replaced to enhance value. Attempting to replace a coin in a mirror would likely cause severe damage.

A high grade 1902 Indian Head Cent as an encased mirror. If the coin was removed from the frame, it would likely show damage to the rim. It is worth more within the encasement.

The C. G. Braxmar Company, New York, 1902.
Diameter 1.75 inches.

   

Encased 1910 Lincoln cent in an oval frame

Shulman Standard System
Size: 1.75 x 3 inches

They were located in Buffalo, New York.

   

Encased 1946 Lincoln Cent. Other banks also issued encased coin mirrors.

Ridgewood Savings Bank
Diameter 2.25 inches

Originally in Queens, New York. In 2026 they have 36 branches across the state.

   

In the 1930's, encased coin mirrors were produced to promote political campaigns. These would represent a sub-set as a collecting field.

Encased coin mirrors have been produced into the twenty-first century.

When printed on an 8.5 x 11 page, the images are actual size. When viewed on an electronic device, the images may be as large or as small as the viewer wishes.

The February 15, 2026, issue of The E-Sylum had my article on Numismatist Mirrors. These are a subset of collectible pocket mirrors issued since 1973 for coin dealers, collectors and clubs.

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
NUMISMATIST MIRRORS (https://www.coinbooks.org/v29/esylum_v29n07a17.html)

	NBS (coinbooks.org) Web