On a Dorcas thimble within the rim if it has the name of Dorcas, then it was produced after 1905. However, if it does not have the name of Dorcas, then it might have PAT, which stood for patent, or a registration number. This is only one example of the hidden information that thimbles have for collectors to uncover. The Dorcas thimble was in fact created by Charles Horner in 1880 from Halifax when he solved a common problem with beveled silver thimbles. Silver is a ultimately a soft metal and can be easily pierced by a steel needle, so as a solution Horner used a steel core to cover the inside and outside of the thimble by silver. The thimble still remained elegant as the traditional silver thimbles, but now they were much more practical and durable. The Dorcas thimbles are now very popular with collectors and are known worldwide, and are offered in a variety of patterns, such as plain, traditional, dimpled, and engraved with designs.



Collectors can find thimbles that are made out of a variety kinds of metal as well as pottery and porcelain. There are some thimbles that are a bit impractical that have protruding figures from their rounded tops, while the sides of can be found with engraved patterns or delicately lacquered. Most thimbles are produced as promotional items by major companies and are highly sought after by collectors all over the world. Commemorative thimbles are issued for special occasions, such as presidential election or a wedding of prominent figures. Thimbles are sold as souvenirs all over the world at museums, state homes, cathedrals, and a variety of visitor attractions, which are designed for collecting.

Many collectors build collections of thimbles because they do not take up much room because they are so small, they can be souvenirs that will remind a collector of the places of were they have visited, and also because the manufactures of thimbles can be easily identified and dated. Other reasons include that many collectors themselves sew and thimbles are one of tools of the trade so they serve a very useful purpose and due to thimbles have been patented so there are a lot of design and varieties to choose from. Thimbles have been produced for a long time and all over the world in many cultures, plus they have been made from some exquisite materials that have been richly decorated, which can turn out to be quite valuable.

The value of new, souvenir, and commemorative thimble will vary depending on the material the thimble has been made from, the rarity, and the desirability of a particularly thimble. Bronze thimbles from the fourteenth and fifteenth century are going to be more valuable than bronze thimble produced during the eighteenth century. If a collector is considering purchasing a collection of thimble from another collector, then both collectors need to figure out if the asking price if worth the collection. Some collectors may simply want to sell their collection of thimbles quickly without putting much work or effort into it.