Cat eye marbles

[Jjay]

Are there any cat eye marbles that have value and if so what would they look like. Do larger ones have any more value than smaller ones. Say those that are 1"+ verses 1/2" versions? Thanks for any input.

[Al Oregon]

Condition is the big item for marble value.  Even a tiny chip can decease value by half or more.  So, with cat's-eyes, they pretty much need to be mint to have value.  The larger ones (of same type) would generally be worth more than the smaller ones.  I don't have a percentage increase.  As far as types, in the foreign ones, the cross-through types where instead of 3 different color pairs of vanes (side-by-side), you have the 3 different colors across from each other.  I'll post a picture.  Also, the Vitro style cat's-eyes, which I don't think I have seen in your picturs yet, are sometimes more valuable when they are hybrids - meaning 2 or 3 colors in the same vane.  I'll post a picture of those, too.  So, that's a beginning of an answer.

[Jjay]

Thanks a lot Al. That helps. I will see if I have any like that. Those are some neat examples you have there. Great picture taking too.

[Steph]

Here is a valuable cat's eye -- 4-color Marble King St. Marys cat eye. I think I payed $25 for it.   Last I checked I didn't see me being able to replace it with such a nice example for less.  
 

 

 

Mine is in the 5/8" range.  A boulder version would be worth a lot more.

[Steph]

Here's that same marble with some two-color St. Marys cat's eyes -- also valuable though not as valuable as the 4-color.

 

[Jjay]

Thanks Steph. That helps. I've got a few to go through and was just wandering what to look for. I appreciate it.

[Jjay]

Nice looking marbles Steph. As I started going through those cat eyes I have found some interesting ones. I will post some for some input on them. Thanks

[Al Oregon]

Good add-on Steph.  By the way, the two pics in my post were not my pics - had saved them.  The Vitro was Jerry's form some time back.

[Steph]

Next example is your own, Jjay.

The one on the left is an example of one which might pull in a few dollars.  Maybe more. Don't know.  But it's a good one.  

The one on the right is an example of the common configuration, which some people might pay a few cents apiece for but which can lower the value of marble lots if it's mixed in with vintage marbles.

 

Left -- good pattern with with four white vanes alternating with the others:  white, yellow, white, yellow, white, green, white, green

 

Right -- common, not collectible pattern with the vane pairs together:  white, white, yellow, yellow, green, green.  

[Steph]

Note, there are modern 4-color marble kings, which won't be worth as much as the vintage.  But they're still worth more than the usual cat's eye.  

[Steph]

One more note:  Peewee cat eyes -- definitely 1/2" or less, not a smidge over,  might bring in more than the basic 5/8" marbles. 

[Jjay]

Thanks for the good info. I'm about to post some cat eyes (I think) to see if what I have is of any value. They may not even be cat eyes. 

[Steph]

 

[James Goetz]

I guess i need to look through my cat eyes.