There are reasons why a collector would purchase a reproduction or commemorative jar. A reproduction jar should be both quite a bit cheaper and easier to find than the real thing. In my personal opinion, there is nothing wrong with having a reproduction jar of an older jar in your collection, as long as you know it is a reproduction jar when purchasing it. And as long as the jar is marked permanently and has enough size or glaze differences that later on down the line there will be absolutely no question about it being a reproduction.

Some jars that fit into this category would include the Midwest Sailor that is very similar to the Shawnee Sailor jar, the Dept. 56 series of jars that are look-a-likes of a few vintage jars and Jonal's Cookie Jar Classics series of jars. There are also authorized reproductions of more recent jars, such as the Henry Cavanagh series.

Reproducing licensed items is another story and one that is definitely open to lawsuits. Stay away from unauthorized jars of licensed characters or trademarked jars. For one thing, they are illegal and if you are interested in the monetary aspect, they will most likely not increase in value.

It's when the reproduced jars are made to deceive would-be buyers that problems start.