A look at Antique Stores or Collectible shops would show a wide variety of old items that came in tin containers. These were disposable items such as foods, soaps, tobacco and medicines. But the one item that was actually kept and not disposable, was most often sold in cardboard boxes - the Board Game. These much played-with game boxes wound up being tattered and torn. The family's favorite games would have old boxes bound together with tape and ribbons. Games are still put in boxes, but occasionally the game's container is a tin. These are not necessarily to protect the games, they are done to entice the collector!
Collectibles Market
Taking advantage of the huge collectibles market, companies are continually coming up with new must-haves for us. Games in tin boxes are usually cross-collectibles, appealing to the tin collector and the collector of the game produced. e.g. Monopoly collectors. A visit to your local Toys R Us usually finds the best selection and can add numerous game tins to a collection at issue prices.Millennium Monopoly
Barb Crews
There have been several Monopoly games that were sold in different tins. These are two favorites in the collection. The Monopoly Millennium game in tin is a special edition of the game. The large embossed tin has eight Millennium tokens, hotels and houses that glow on their edges, as well as futuristic dice. It even has translucent money.
1935 Commemorative Monopoly
Barb Crews
The 1935 Monopoly Commemorative Edition is a more colorful tin than the Millennium. It is the same size, but with the retro look of the original game. This version can be found sporadically on eBay in the Board Games category.
Nick at Nite
Barb Crews
Nick at Nite is a simple tin, the game consists of questions about all the classic TV shows and, for the Baby Boomers, The Brady Bunch, Get Smart, Happy Days, and Taxi. The Nick at Nite web site is fun place to visit where you can test your knowledge about the classic TV shows without buying the game!
UNO Game
Barb Crews
Uno has also come in a variety of different packaging and tins. These two are fairly representative of them. The top one was available at Toys R Us stores, a store exclusive 50th Anniversary UNO tin. The bottom tin is the Coke UNO.
Richard Petty
Barb Crews
A cross collectible appealing to Nascar fans, Petty fans and tin collectors.
