Couroc of Monterey made a good number of boxes as well as their better known trays.  Often, the labels washed off and there was no "signature" molded into the bottom like on the trays - except the largest, later boxes.  You can find them on e-bay if you are looking carefully. 

The boxes are made out of the same kind of resin that the trays of the period were.  This means that the boxes from the 1950's have the same texture and finish as the trays of the 1950's etc..  They are prone to warping - just like the trays.

Older boxes:  Older Couroc boxes have no hinges.  The top just fits right on top of the box (trivia note: the box top of the small boxes of the 50's is the same mold Couroc used for coasters later in the 70's).  Watch out for cracks in these - especially between coins and the edge of the box.  Make sure the box and the box top sit level on a level surface.

Are the original cork and wood inserts there?  All that I have seen have a cork bottom and wooden dividers or liners (which in some cases holds the top on).  They were meant to be cigarette boxes and writing or stamp boxes.

Does the top fit the box? Ideally, it should fit nicely with no wobble.  The finish of the top should be consistent with the bottom.

I have encountered three distinct types of older boxes.

Later Boxes:  Later Couroc boxes use a brass piano-type hinge.  The hinges were pretty durable but can corrode just like brass will (it loses its Zinc and dies).  This corrosion can be cleaned up somewhat but once it is there it cannot be reversed.

The hinges were attached to the box with little nails and glue, later screwss were used.  This is where you want to look for cracks - between the nail and the box edge.  Ninety percent of your cracks will be here.  Does the hinge open and close nicely?  Examine the box with the lid carefully opened; is the hinge bent at all?  This is common as the box lids are very heavy and will tip and empty box when not supported.

Is the box warped?  The same warpage problems exist here.  Check the way the box sits on a level surface and closely examine the fit of the top.

Is there an insert?  There should be in some cases.  It is hard to tell how many inserts for later boxes Couroc made but I have seen them for all sizes of later boxes.  They were not terribly durable and often were discarded.  The medium sized (8.5" x 4" x 2") insert seemed to have been to create a jewelry box effect while the larger boxes were often to compartmentalize the box to hold dominos, cards, dice and other gaming type things.  A number of different companies worked with Couroc to create new box markets (gaming, trophies, corporate premiums) which resulted in a lot of different types.  I am not even sure which ones were made by Couroc.

Finally, is it a gaming box?  The poker chips in Couroc boxes are some of the nicest Bakelite I have ever seen.  I have seen many boxes where they have been replaced by cheap chips.  The dice and other products used were always of the highest quality.

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