When is it Good to Find a Pull Tab?

[Bigcypresshunter]

Everyone hates finding pull tabs. But there is one time where I am happy to find one. Can you guess?

Pull tabs were first used in 1962 by Iron City Beer, and this invention was called a Zip Tab. They were made only from 1962-1964. If I am looking for silver coins and I find a Zip Tab, I am in the right area. (first two pics)

Pull Tabs or Pop Tops were used from 1965, thru the 70's and 80's, until anti-littering efforts finally had them replaced. (3rd pic)

Statabs replaced pull tabs in the 1990's and are supposed to stay on the can.(4thpic)

Zip Tabs mean 50's and 60's silver coins, and I am happy to find them.

 

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[txkickergirl]

OH THANKS! for posting that pic, I have been finding those at the ranch by the school house and had no idea what they were. Too cool, now I'm happy to be finding pull tabs those anyway.

 

[Dimeman]

Great research and pics!!!! This helps alot on deciding to all metal or not, to get those older nickels and possibly some old gold rings!!!!!!

Thanks for posting this info.

Dimeman

 

[Zincoln Miner]

top notch info thanks

an area with those in the ground,I would dig all.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Thanks. I dont find Zip Tops too often. When I find them, they are always bent off to one side.

 

[TreasureTales]

Very interesting history of the pulltab. I know a couple guys who started collecting the different styles and shapes and made quite nice wall plaques with their collections.

Once in my life I made a conscious effort to find some pulltabs. I needed some washers so the heads of some screws wouldn't continue to pull through the plastic fender shroud of a friend's travel trailer. The screws were pulling through the worn plastic and the fender was flapping in the wind as a result. A few pulltabs were found, used as washers, and the problem was solved. He later sold his trailer, with the pulltabs still in place. It was funny seeing those pesky things serving a second life as useful devices.

 

[Hoosier Kingfisher]

Great info. Happy hunting,Ron

 

[debistogs]

Those pesky tabs are great for hanging pictures too!

 

[bakergeol]

Nice pictures of the history of the pulltab BCH

I agree as detector users at the time (BFO users) dug everything and Zip tabs would have surely
been dug in 60's-70's era.

Actually when I started out (1964) pull tabs were just rare. You could dig countless dozens of silver coins in a day and simply not dig one up. You weren't discriminating because with BFOs you dug everything.
The real pain for the BFO users was not pull tabs as there weren't many but tin foil. Small pieces of tin foil sounded just like deep coins.

George

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I wonder if foil can be dated?

 

[Rob in KS]

Wow, I had no idea, thanks for posting.

I like to find them on top of a cold can

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Iron City Beer was the first to utilize the Zip Top on their cans... advertised as a Snap Top. I was weaned on Iron City growing up in Pittsburgh.

 

[Gypsy Heart]

The only time I like to find a pull tab is just before I take the first drink.....

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I dont mind if they're all Zips.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Here is a good site on the history of Zip Tabs.
http://www.rustycans.com/zips.html

 

[bakergeol]

Iron City Beer was the first to utilize the Zip Top on their cans... advertised as a Snap Top. I was weaned on Iron City growing up in Pittsburgh.

Oh No. No wonder you have so many health problems. Yep I drank many a bottle in southern Ohio- Not that I liked the taste but it was cheap.

George

 

[jopher]

Any time Im digging pull tabs, I know that Im in an area that has not been hunted well.Maybe cherry picked of silver and copper, but not nickel, gold, or brass.

 

[TreasureTales]

The one good thing about finding pulltabs is that they indicate the (previous) presence of people. And where there were people, there is bound to be treasure!

 

[Ray S ECenFL]

Very informative post, thank you.

I can say that I have never found a ZIP TAB, but have found tons of all the others.....

Happy Hunting.......

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Iron City Beer was the first to utilize the Zip Top on their cans... advertised as a Snap Top. I was weaned on Iron City growing up in Pittsburgh.

Oh No. No wonder you have so many health problems. Yep I drank many a bottle in southern Ohio- Not that I liked the taste but it was cheap.

George

I think it may have helped preserve me.