NEW VINTAGE COCA-COLA BOTTLE HITS STORE SHELVES ACROSS AMERICA

"These one-of-a-kind bottles help people celebrate their special relationship with Coca-Cola that goes beyond its great taste. This package invites consumers to another journey in time -- back to 1906 when the deliciously uplifting product they love was packaged in an equally appealing predecessor of today’s global iconic contour glass bottle," said Hendrik Steckhan, president and general manager, Sparkling Beverages, Coca-Cola North America.

Before the introduction of the curvy Coca-Cola contour bottle in 1916, Coca-Cola was sold in straight-sided bottles. Similar to the bottles used for other beverages, they were distinguished as Coca-Cola bottles from 1900 to 1916 by their diamond-shaped paper labels. In fact, the diamond paper label itself was registered as a trademark in 1907. The diamond labels featured either "Atlanta, Ga." or the signature of Asa Candler, who was then president of The Coca-Cola Company. Most of the paper labels from these early bottles have not survived; bottles with the original labels are highly sought by collectors.

The 8.5-ounce vintage 1906 "Diamond Label" bottles that began appearing on store shelves in late March across the U.S. capture the essence of this original design. They are available in four-packs that feature the early 20th century Coca-Cola Spencerian script logo and "Diamond Label" design elements.

Coca-Cola was first bottled in 1894 by a Vicksburg, Miss. candy store owner named Joseph Biedenharn, who was impressed with the growing demand for Coca-Cola at his store's soda fountain. He began bottling Coca-Cola using a common glass bottle called a Hutchinson, named after the inventor who designed it. A variety of straight-sided containers was used until 1916, when Coca-Cola bottlers introduced the distinctive contour bottle design that is still in use today.

About The Coca-Cola Company
The Coca-Cola Company is the world's largest beverage company. Along with Coca-Cola®, recognized as the world's most valuable brand, the Company markets four of the world's top five nonalcoholic sparkling brands, including Diet Coke®, Fanta® and Sprite®, and a wide range of other beverages, including diet and light beverages, waters, juices and juice drinks, teas, coffees, energy and sports drinks. Through the world's largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company's beverages at a rate of 1.5 billion servings each day. For more information about The Coca-Cola Company, please visit our website at www.thecoca-colacompany.com.