The first beer can patent was issued in the early 1930’s and people have been collecting them for many years.  http://www.breweriana.com/?gclid=CIzduuvIhZMCFRdqIgodvCMdCA  has values for just about any and every type of beer container that is imaginable.  The prices start anywhere from $300 to several thousand dollars, for hard to find cans such as Colonial Ale, from Westhaven, Connecticut.   They update their site often, and they also collect beer bottles; and the labels on those bottles have value too.  Information about anything to do with collecting bottles, cans, coasters, openers, and even the history of each item, is right there to instruct, inform and educate you.  You can also e-mail them with your questions about the contents of your collection, and the prices that your items are worth.