How To Tell If Your CorningWare Dish Is Valuable (And How To Spot A Rare Find)

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If you love vintage Corning Ware and have been anywhere near social media in the past few years, you've likely heard how some pieces are worth more than others. Maybe you've searched for Corning Ware on eBay and were confused seeing some sellers seeking $1,000 for a piece while others want something that looks identical for just $25. Speaking exclusively to Hunker, Dr. Lori Verderame, Ph.D. (aka Dr. Lori), an antiques appraiser who's appeared on the History Channel, set the record straight, shedding light on how to tell if a piece of Corning Ware is valuable. Dr. Lori also shared some of the most valuable Corning Ware patterns to look for.

According to Dr. Lori, "Most pieces of Corning Ware are valued based on their pattern, design, and condition in the range between $50 and $5,000." Typically, larger pieces are worth more than smaller ones. For example, a small 2.75-cup dish (model number P-43-B) may sell for $5 without a lid or around $15 with the lid. Meanwhile, a 5-quart casserole (model number A-5-B) may sell for $30 to $60 with a lid.

Dr. Lori recommends checking out thrift stores, flea markets, yard sales, and estate sales for vintage Corning Ware. For those who prefer to shop online, places to look include eBay, Etsy, and Everything But the House.

Some Corning Ware patterns are more in demand with collectors, and as a result, carry higher values. Dr. Lori ticked off a few of the most popular patterns: "Black Starburst, Wildflower, Floral Bouquet, Spice of Life, [and] Blue Cornflower." 

Produced from 1959 to 1963 and limited to the company's percolators, Corning Ware's Black Starburst pattern usually sells for over $100. You may find this average value surprising, given that some Black Starburst percolators, such as P-116 and P-119 models, were part of a large 1970s recall. The first Floral Bouquet variation debuted in 1969, and the design remains a limited-run Corning Ware pattern that collectors look for. You can expect to pay $40 to $100 for a Floral Bouquet piece.

The other patterns that Dr. Lori listed are available in more designs, making them generally easier to acquire. For example, Blue Cornflower, Corning Ware's oldest pattern, was in continuous production for 30 years — from 1958 to 1988 — then again from 1993 to 1994. Pieces available with the Blue Cornflower pattern include casserole dishes, skillets and saucepans, coffee and teapots, and a "counter saver" cutting board. Casserole Blue Cornflower dishes are particularly popular, often valued in the $30 to $45 range, with some climbing into the hundreds. Spice of Life (Spice O' Life) pieces, manufactured from 1972 to 1988, tend to sell for $10 to $30 and feature earth-toned illustrations of garden herbs and vegetables.