common clay marbles or commies have been around for hundreds to thousands of years.Some are dyed and others not. The Albright company is a manufacturer which mass produced this type of marble. There is no real way to date them. Collecters dont pay that much for them because they are so common. .50$ for 5/8". Good news though, it is said that people would hide jewlery inside of clay marbles to elude thieves. Break out the MD.