In my opinion they are pretty rare due to the composition. Clay doesn't really withstand the elements and ground conditions. I would thing they would disintegrate after a while. Besides I haven't heard of a lot of folks finding them.
I don't think they're marbles. I'm fairly sure they must be for sealing clay bottle tops. Such as very small dye bottles. They sometimes were fitted inside the bottle neck of glass pharmacy bottles, the idea was supposed to stop fluid leaking when the bottle was knocked over. The clay ball would roll towards the opening and seal it supposedly.
Ok i have to admit i found those marbles as a kid never thout much of it i was just a kid diggin in the dirt grrrrrrrrrrrr slaps forhead / sniffles / crys like snoopy
Clays are actually more common than you would think. Many many were made before glass ones came along. Plus, they were cheaper and easier to make. As with anything collectible, look for condition issues (if any) and rarity of size, design, color etc.
I love the rich glazed blue ones . I have been collecting them since I was a kid . Here is an article I found on clay marbles : Before glass marbles became common, antique toy marbles were made from ceramics, including clay, stoneware, and china or porcelain. From the late 1500s through the early 1700s salt-glazed stoneware marbles were made first by the Dutch and then later by the Germans. Clay marbles were first made in America in 1884 by The Akron Toy Company. Prior to 1884 they were imported from Germany. Billions of the plain clay marbles were made in the USA from 1884 until about 1950. Despite being antiques, these clay "commies" are still common today and not really collectible. On the other hand, certain ceramic marbles are quite collectible. These include the very affordable glazed Bennington marbles colored brown, tan, blue or "fancy" as well as the early "China" marbles that were painted with often intricate line patterns, or even miniature painted scenes. Especially rare and desirable are the "Pennsylvania Dutch china" marbles from the late 1800s, which feature charming hand painted designs. These can easily fetch more than $500 when they do come up for sale.
Be aware that even these are replicated for some low-life's monetary gain If you ever want to talk marbles, just send me a message
Those are probably some of the more interesting ones too. Kids have lost them or used them with sling-shots way back when.
