Coffee beans have been consumed, whether whole or as an infused drink, since around 800 AD. The first coffee “grinders” were mortars and pestles. It wasn’t until the 15th century in Turkey that the first coffee grinders were made. To this day, Turkish grinders are a familiar sight: typically metal cylinders with detailed engraving, unusually tall compared to other variants. The Turkish grinder was invented for both coffee and spices, technically. In 1665, Englishman Nicholas Book, was claiming to sell the first specifically coffee-intended mill. It was another hundred years until another notable innovation took hold.
Coffee grinders come in many shapes and sizes, with a range of functionality. Some grinders can grind one cup’s worth of coffee beans at a time, others can maintain an entire café’s worth of coffee. Some will make a fine espresso grind, while others are more course, suitable for French press coffee, some have an adjustable grind.
On the norm, the more coffee a grinder can handle the more expensive it will be. Finer grounds require finer grinders, so they will be more expensive than course, but adjustable is at the top of that ranking. The wall-mounted and glass jar style grinders are rare to find with all the original pieces, so those will typically be your rarest, most expensive finds.
Table of Contents
Vintage Coffee Grinders List
I) Electric Vintage Coffee Grinders
1. Moulinex Blade Grinder
Period: 1960s
Condition: Great condition
Price: $38
This grinder was made in France for a European market, so it features a European plus and will require a converted for American use. Otherwise, it is in excellent condition, functionally and cosmetically, and ready for use!
2. Braun KMM20-4045
Period: 1975
Condition: Excellent condition, fully functional
Price: $158
This countertop grinder allows for stationary grinding, just set the dial to your desired fineness and it will take care of the rest. Easy to clean out and in full functioning condition!
3. Waring Burr Style
Period: 1970s
Condition: Excellent condition, fully functional
Price: $75
An electric grinder, clean and in good condition. It is fully functional, with an American style plug.
4. Philips dial-a-bean
Period: 1970s
Condition: Good condition, functional
Price: $63
A larger size for a coffee grinder, which means more cups of coffee at one time! A dial allows a choice of 12 different grinds, ranging from fine to coarse. The machine shows a bit of wear but is in overall good functional condition for its age.
5. Orange Rowenta Grinder
Period: 1980s
Condition: Good condition, fully functional
Price: $18
This is a bold black-and-orange grinder that is sure to catch the eye. Aesthetically, there are two small cracks in the plastic casing, but functionally they don’t impact.
6. Braun Aromatic KSM-2-4041
Period: 1980s
Condition: Excellent condition, fully functional
Price: $20
An electrical grinder tested and cleaned, ready for you! It has an American plug.
7. Krups 203 Mill
Period: Pre-2000
Condition: Good condition
Price: $28
Straightforward single-button electric grinder in good, functional condition. The white color makes cleaning a breeze as well.
II) Manual/Hand Crank Coffee Grinders
1. Peugeot et Frères Grinder
Period: 1876-1936
Condition: Great condition
Price: $100
A hand-cranked coffee mill produced in Normandy, France by Peugeot et Frères. It shows some cosmetic signs of wear, but that is hardly surprising considering its age.
2. Brass Turkish Grinder
Period: 1900s
Condition: Good vintage condition
Price: $84
This is a Turkish piece, longer and larger than some designs. It shows a beautiful metalworking display on the outside of the canister.
3. Embossed Metal and Dovetailing
Period: 1930s
Condition: Excellent condition, functional
Price: $70
The coffee box features dovetail joinery, while the lid and grinder handle showcase detailed embossing work, this grinder is an absolute charmer. Bonus: it’s still functional too!
4. Brass Coffee Grinder
Period: 1930s
Condition: Good condition
Price: $55
This grinder is fully constructed out of brass, from handle to pull-out box. It shows some wear, nothing extreme or abnormal for the age though!
5. Tre Spade Italian Grinder
Period: 1950s
Condition: Good condition, some rust only on external metal
Price: $98
Mid-Century Modern style shows up in the design of this grinder, with a post0ndustrial handle design and light blue box. It is in good condition, some wear with a bit of rust around the external metal components. It has been used and could use a good cleaning internally.
6. West Germany Grinder
Period: 1950s
Condition: Good vintage condition
Price: $46
This adorable grinder features hand-painted flowers on the top and front of the box; it is in good and functional vintage condition.
7. German Mailbox
Period: 1950s
Condition: Excellent quality
Price: $49
This is a classy German mailbox-shaped grinder. It is in good condition, with no major dents or scratches.
8. Brass Grinder
Period: 1970s
Condition: Original condition
Price: $55
While vaguely reminiscent of a fire extinguisher—this is, in fact, a grinder. It is in original condition and ready to grace your kitchen shelf.
9. Shabby Chic Grinder
Period: 1970s
Condition: Fully functional
Price: $95
A picturesque small grinder perfect for a dash of shabby chic style. This grinder has been painted and tested prior to listing.
10. Stainless Steel Grinder
Period: 1980s
Condition: New
Price: $52
A throw-back to an earlier era, this piece is from the late 20th century, but reminiscent of styling popular in the early 20th century. It’s never been used and is in excellent condition.
III) Antique Coffee Grinders with Glass Jars
1. Arcade Crystal Wall Mount
Period: 19th century
Condition: Good, all original pieces
Price: $330
A cast iron grinder designed to be mounted to the wall (two screws to either side) with attached glass containers for both beans and grounds. All of the pieces are original on this piece.
2. Arcade Crystal Model 25
Period: Late 19th century to early 20th
Condition: Good condition; stress lines in glass, missing catcher
Price: $135
Unusual to Arcade Crystal machines, this piece is painted a lovely antique green color, most likely an addition made by a past owner. The jar has a few stress lines, nothing that impedes use, and the catcher is missing, however this machine is functional overall.
3. Arcade Crystal No.1
Period: Late 19th century to early 20th
Condition: Good condition; glass cracked, missing catcher
Price: $115
The original Arcade Crystal wall-mounted coffee grinder, a rare find! This listing is missing the lower jar & the upper is cracked, but it is in overall good condition for its age.
4. Arcade Crystal No.4
Period: Late 19th century to early 20th
Condition: Excellent condition, all original pieces
Price: $225
This one still has its catcher! This Arcade Crystal piece is full and complete: lid, catcher, and all.
5. Arcade Crystal No.3
Period: 1930s
Condition: Excellent condition; missing catcher
Price: $179
This piece is wall-mounted, originally with a jar for beans, and a lower catcher for grounds but the catcher is missing now. The top jar still contains antique coffee beans….
6. Androck 49
Period: 1950s
Condition: Good, some rust
Price: $25
Hand-cranked grinder lid set on a small glass jar, for easy and quick coffee (or spice) grinding. This one even features a colorful pattern on the outside of the grinder metal.
7. Anchor Hocking Jar Mill
Period: Pre-2000
Condition: Good, fully functional
Price: $18
This mill is fully functional, inset to a jar lid making for easy access once you’re done grinding. There is some fading, but the glass is fully intact with no chips or cracks.
8. Hario Grinder
Period: Pre-2000
Condition: Good condition
Price: $30
A jar mill with a grinder lid, this one is not a screw-top lid. It is in good condition, functional with all pieces accounted for!
9. Universal No.24 Hanging
Period: Pre-2000
Condition: Excellent condition, apparently functional
Price: $122
This is an unusual piece: grinders like this were typically designed to be wall-mounted, however this one has a hook at the top for hanging it instead. All the pieces are accounted for, this is a unique piece of history in good condition.
IV) Large Antique Coffee Grinders
1. Enterprise No.7
Period: 1873
Condition: Unrestored, potentially functional
Price: $2750
This Enterprise model with an eagle finial at the top was designed for the 1876 American centennial. It’s a very specific, rare model. This machine is in good condition, it shows wear but is still potentially functional.
2. Peugeot et Frères Industrial Grinder
Period: Late 19th century to early 20th
Condition: Fully functional
Price: $362
Peugeot et Frères (Peugeot & Bros.) was a popular and high-quality brand of coffee mill around the turn of the century, manufactured in Normandy, France. This machine shows evidence of daily use for years but is still in functional condition! Cosmetically, it is admittedly worn, which either adds to the charm or can be altered.
3. Landers, Frary, and Clark Coffee Mill
Period: 19th century
Condition: Restored, functionality unclear
Price: $650
Double-wheeled with a small pull-out at the base for grinds, this coffee mill has been recently repainted to a lovely red color. It is in excellent condition.
4. Cast Iron No. 1.5
Period: 1920s
Condition: Fully functional
Price: $215
A large coffee mill secured to a wooden base for ease of use, this is a beautifully maintained piece of history ready for use.
5. Lienbrock’s Ideal Grinder
Period: 1950s
Condition: Excellent vintage condition, fully functional
Price: $195
7.5” tall, this grinder is a larger size than many coffee mills, allowing for a bulk grind. The burr is adjustable for your desired coffee grind!
6. Tall Wood & Brass German Grinder
Period: 1980s
Condition: Good condition, untested functionality
Price: $28
This coffee grinder has the appearance of four drawers rather than the usual one—although only one on this piece is actually meant to open. The piece is in good vintage condition overall.
7. David Birch of London Retro Grinder
Period: Pre-2000
Condition: Excellent condition, fine grind
Price: $145
A through back to the 1800s, this piece was manufactured in London and found in Normandy, France. It has only been lightly used, possibly just as a decoration piece, however it is a fully functional grinder.
8. Early American Coffee-Pepper Mill Grinder
Period: Pre-2000 (possibly c. 1900)
Condition: Fully functional
Price: $175
A style similar to German grinders from the turn of the century, it’s unclear if this piece is from the same era or a stylistic replica. Either way, it’s in excellent condition and working properly.
9. 10” Dovetailed Box Grinder
Period: Pre-2000
Condition: Good vintage condition
Price: $50
Unusually tall for this variety of grinder, this lovely box grinder has dovetailed joints and an embossed cast iron handle. The detailing craftsmanship is beautiful.
V) Vintage Coffee Grinder Wall Mount
1. Cast-iron & Wood Grinder
Period: Late 19th century
Condition: Good condition
Price: $68
A lovely hand-crank designed for wall-mounted grinding. The mechanism hasn’t been tested, but it moves easily so it is presumably functional.
2. Universal No.0012
Period: 1905
Condition: Décor condition
Price: $124
All black jar and metal grinder arm create a tasteful antique décor piece. It is possible this could function properly, but it’s untested and therefore unclear.
3. Arcade Crystal No.3 #2
Period: 1940s
Condition: Good condition; missing lid, catcher, & catcher brace
Price: $135
Another fine example of an Arcade Crystal wall grinder; this one is missing a few more pieces, but it will still look classy on your wall!
4. Zaussenhaus Windmill Grinder
Period: 1940s
Condition: Good, some rust & pitting on metal components
Price: $80
A porcelain-and-glass piece, plus the metal grinder: this is a darling vintage coffee mill to add a bit of old-timey styling to your daily coffee routine.
5. Armin Tosser Complete Grinder
Period: 1950s
Condition: Good condition, some cleaning/oiling required for full functionality
Price: $75
It’s rare to find an Armin Tosser brand coffee grinder with both the top lid & glass catcher intact, so this one is a catch!
6. Delft-Style Ceramic & Cast Iron
Period: 1950s
Condition: Excellent condition
Price: $79
Featuring another Dutch-looking windmill on the ceramic bean container, this piece is a quaint throwback piece to decorate your wall!
VI) Cast Iron Antique Coffee Grinders
1. 14” Double Wheel Mill
Period: 19th century
Condition: Good display condition
Price: $499
This piece is an early mechanical coffee grinder, it shows its years. It is most likely unsuited for grinding work, but it is a lovely display of late 19th century style.
2. Primitive Grinder
Period: 1930s
Condition: Unclear
Price: $62
The quintessential coffee grinder with a pull-out drawer and a cast iron hand-crank, this is a charming piece.
3. Farmhouse-Style Grinder
Period: 1940s
Condition: Good vintage condition
Price: $21
Another classic-looking piece, this one has a full metal crank and bowl. It is in good condition and ready for display or use.
5. French Country Grinder
Period: 1940s
Condition: Good vintage condition, grinding mechanism is loose
Price: $39
This grinder is the classic bowl-and-box setup, with a French country twist to the contours of the box. The grinding mechanism is a bit loose, so most likely will require some tuning before it is optimally functional.
6. Porcelain & Wood
Period: Late 20th century
Condition: Excellent vintage
Price: $27.50
A small porcelain piece emblazoned with “Café” and delicate blue flowers; the piece is in good vintage condition!
7. Painted Miniature Grinder
Period: Pre-2000
Condition: Good condition
Price: $9
Not even 4” tall, this is a darling coffee grinder miniature. It is cast iron, painted with flowers; it’s unclear whether it actually functions.
8. Victorian Styling
Period: Pre-2000
Condition: Never used, fully functional
Price: $125
A quaint industrial-looking piece, this grinder nonetheless maintains a refined Victorian air with the details metal handles and woodwork.
9. Box Coffee Grinder
Period: Pre-2000
Condition: Good condition
Price: $48
A straightforward little mechanism in cast iron rests on a wooden box with a pull-out door for accessing the grounds post-grind. This is a quintessential coffee grinder, easy and ready to use!
10. Adjustable Coffee Grinder
Period: Pre-2000
Condition: Good condition
Price: $45
The cog nut on this antique grinder allows you to adjust the fineness of the grind—from fine grinds for espresso or course grinds for French press.
