NEW YORK — German beer steins have been collected as far back as the 14th century. Newly made steins are popular souvenirs with tourists visiting German towns and cities such as Cologne, Munich, and Heidelberg. Antique and vintage ones, however, are highly prized and can fetch thousands of dollars at auction. Whether old or new, steins often feature images of the city they represent or local landmarks such as a castle or mountains and rivers. Others use scenes to tell a story.