Root Beer Mugs

Q:         I have two child-size glass root beer mugs from the 1960s. They are each 3 inches high. One is stamped “A&W Root Beer” with a circular design. The other has a red printed design that says “Dog n Suds” and pictures a dog holding a tray. I remember my dad getting me a kid-sized root beer in them. Do you think they’re worth something?

A:         The first A&W drive-in restaurant opened in Sacramento, Calif., in 1923. The company name is based on the initials of the owners, Roy Allen and Frank Wright. The first Dog n Suds opened in Champaign, Ill., in 1953. Most advertising glasses from restaurants and fast-food chains don’t sell for much money because they were issued in large quantities and are easy to find. If a mug’s design is unusual and the mug was issued in limited quantity, it might be of interest to collectors. Common glasses like yours sell for as low as $1 to $5.