Don’t go throwing away the old stuff in the attic and basement just yet. Those old comic books, CDs, and dolls could be your ticket to a lovely vacation and grandma’s old kitchen stuff may just get you that car.
To begin with, while some see porcelain dolls as potentially a little terrifying, they could be worth anywhere from $1000-$3000 for a single one. Of course, it will need to be in good shape with it’s hair and clothing.
This is a list of all the items found in most homes that surprisingly, have amazing value today. So dust them off, head on down to an antique store and see what you could get for them.
1. Porcelain Tableware – up to $5000
Your grandmother’s cups and plates for ‘special occasions’ could be worth the price of a dream vacation. Take the set to an antique shop for an appraisal, but do try to negotiate and ask for a second and third opinion elsewhere.
These can sell for hundreds or even thousands of dollars online. Porcelain antiques began in the late 18th century, and complete sets can sell online for over $5,000.
2. Christmas Ornaments – up to $1000
3. Game Boys – up to $4000
That Nintendo Game Boy you had as a child holds value. Introduced in 1989, the Game Boy was an instant best seller. They have now become a collectors’ item on the resale market, going anywhere from $750 to $2000. A brand new Game Boy sold for nearly $4000 on August 18, 2019.
4. Rocking Chair – Up to $5000
The 1700s saw the first rocking chairs as contraptions meant to put babies to sleep, but these old-fashioned pieces of furniture can now fetch upwards of $5000.
It all depends on the make and manufacture if you have a rocking chair in your home, take it to the antique store and ask for an appraisal.
5. Harry Potter Books – Up to $55000
6. Old Yearbooks – up to $10500
That dusty old yearbook with embarrassing high school photos stashed somewhere in the house could be worth some money, especially if there is a famous person featured in that yearbook.
Should there be a Hollywood star in your precious yearbook, it could be worth a few thick wads of cash. A yearbook with a photo of James Dean made over $10,500 on eBay.
7. Boom Boxes – up to $8250
These are the big, bulky things that played ‘cassettes’ back in the day and they have become a cultural icon. The value of boom boxes has skyrocketed in recent years, thanks to a renewed interest in retro products among today’s hipsters.
In August of 2019, a SharpGF-999 Stereo Boombox sold for $3000, while a VTG 2 Lasonic TRC-975 Ghetto Blaster Boombox from 1988 sold for $8250.
8. Pyrex – up to $300+
9. Mechanical Piggy Banks – up to $2500
Piggy banks were designed and meant for saving money so it’s ironic that these porcine pots have become valuable themselves, especially those fancy, mechanical versions. The Mechanical Bank Collectors of America have sought out these artifacts since 1958.
Some of these piggy banks have sold for as much as $2,500.
10. Antique Biscuit Tin – up to $3400
Old cookie jars, like ceramic kitchenware produced in the 1940s and 50s have become quite valuable as of late. Reyne Hirsch, an antique expert from PBS’s Antiques Roadshow, shared that a biscuit jar from the 1950s sold for a whopping $1,200 in 2018.
Hirsch says jars that are designed to resemble well-known cartoon characters make more. In 2019, a Little Audrey biscuit jar took $3400 on an online auction site.
11. Old CDs – up to $12,134.19
The “Thriller” signature track from Michael Jackson in 1993 and the “Protection” EP from Coldplay in 1998 are each worth over $1,500 today. Paris Hilton’s 2006 album “Paris” go for around $12,134.19.
12. Cuckoo Clocks – up to $2000
These kitsch pieces are handcrafted which makes them unique. One made by a renowned craftsman can fetch up to $2,000.
13. American Girl Dolls – up to $5000
The original 1986 American Girl dolls, especially the ones released in 1986, are now highly collectible, with Samantha fetching $4,200, while a mint-condition Molly doll selling for $5,000.
Collectors don’t care if they have been removed from their packaging either, since they can still fetch hundreds of dollars.
14. Apple iPod 1st Generation – up to $15,999
The first-generation of the Steve Jobs music revolution has become quite valuable. Apple’s constant push for consumers to upgrade to a newer version of their products is the reason for this.
In July 2019, someone on a secondary market made $2,200 for a used Apple iPod. The next month shad first-generation models selling for a whopping $15,999.
15. Old Canning Jars – up to $1,000
Thousands of homes and eateries have turned to these canning jars as an alternative to plastic storage containers. They were once a luxury item but today, you can get a carload of these jars for less than $15.
Though some vintage items that can still fetch insane prices. It’s possible to get $500 for an old Willoughby Stopple jar, and $1000 for an inverted Ball Mason jar right from the turn of the century.
16. CorningWare Scales – up to $10,000
They may be worth thousands of dollars. Floral Bouquet dinnerware produced between 1871 and 1875, or Wildflower place settings from 1977 and 1984, go for $10,000 right now. Blue flower patterns are the most frequent, but common ones can still sell for a good price.
17. Polly Pocket Toys – up to $1,900
This compact toy was a hit among children in the 1990s, and 30 years later, the resale market for Polly Pocket have these toys selling for close to $1900. Those tiny plastic trinkets have made huge sums with someone paying $810 in July of 2019 just to buy a Polly Pocket pencil box from a secondary market.
18. Silverware – up to $17,500
Silverware like spoons, knives, and forks have always been popular among the ladies and they were on to something. An 84-piece Tiffany set from 1905 was purchased for $4,975 on an online auction site.
A 1927 silver cutlery set also sold at auction for $17,500 back in 2011.
19. Vintage Handbags – $3,000
A vintage Chanel handbag in pristine condition can fetch upwards of $3,000. Similar bags in poor shape can go for around $400. Buying high-quality handbags is a wise financial move.
20. Pokémon Cards – up to $500,000
That Pokémon card collection from the 90s may be worth a small fortune today. Collectors are willing to pay crazy prices for rare Pokemon cards, especially ones in mint condition.
On June 5, 2019, a 1999 first-edition Charizard card sold for an insane $12,499.99. In 2001, a PSA-9 Mint card of the Tropical Wind Trophy sold for an eye-watering amount of $500,000. Gotta sell ’em all!
21. Vintage Perfume Bottles – up to $8,500
The value of vintage perfume bottles have recently gone up. In 2019, someone paid $4,000 for a bottle of perfume. Examples from the turn of the century could go for around $8,500.
22. Vintage Comics – Up to $3.2 Million
The value varies depending on condition and the specific issue. The first issue of Action Comics from 1938 was worth $3.2 million, while the first Incredible Hulk comic sold for $320,000 at an auction.
23. Lunch Boxes – Up to $13,000
Lunch Boxes are made from cheap plastic, often based from the latest hit movies and rushed to stores to make a profit. But older, metal lunchboxes are considered vintage items. A 1963 Jetsons lunchbox can fetch $1000-1650, while a 1962 Dudley Do-Right lunchbox has sold for more than $2200.
Allen Woodall is the owner of a museum dedicated to lunchboxes. He says the 1954 Superman lunchbox is worth $13,000. Imagine what you could do with that.
24. Air Jordans – up to $18,257
Air Jordans are the holy grail of sneakerheads and basketball fans. If you own a pair of vintage Air Jordans, don’t make the mistake of wearing them. A pair of Derek Jeter-inspired Jordan 11’s sold online for over $18257.
There are certain variants that cost over $2,000 to purchase. That secondhand, slightly sweaty pair could make you a lot of money.
25. Pez Dispensers – up to $32,205
It was in Vienna, Austria 1927, when the first PEZ was introduced with the mission of helping people quit smoking. In 2006, a replica of Astronaut B created for the 1982 World Expo made $32,205 at an online auction.
26. Old Magazines – up to $156,000
In 2007, a two-centuries-old copy of Beeton’s Christmas Annual sold for a stunning $156,000. Worth taking a look around the house!
27. Barbie Dolls – up to $220,000
Mass-produced, plastic dolls with questionable ethical implications about beauty are now in the collectors’ market. A 1959 Blonde Barbie sold for an astonishing $23,999, while a regular Midnight Tuxedo Barbie sold for close to $1,000. Ask your sisters if they still have theirs somewhere!
28. Tiffany Lamps – Up to $1 Million+
A Tiffany lamp can be worth a lot of money if you decide to sell one. Depending on the condition, they go for anywhere between $4,000 and over $1 million. Their bright colors and floral designs are highly sought after but even the bases of light fixtures minus the iconic lampshade can be valuable.
29. VHS Tapes – up to $1,499,999.99
Dad’s hallowed VHS library looks like something from the horse and carriage age. But they could potentially buy you a new car.
The complete first, second, and third Walt Disney VHS video collections are being sold for the mad price of $1,499,999.99. Films never released on DVD or digital are especially in high demand. Especially films that were deemed provocative and were prohibited.
30. Antique Guitars – up to $2 Million
The rule of thumb though is, the older the guitar, the better. 1960s guitars can be bought at auction for a good price, tbut guitars from the 1950s and earlier are the ones with big numbers.
31. Cute and Curly Cabbage Patch Dolls – up to $3000
Today, a 1985 James Dudley Cabbage Patch doll goes for $3,000, while a 1981 Blonde Girl Little People doll is at $2,000.
32. Vinyls – up to $800,000
The band’s name is printed on the plain white sleeve and nothing else. Ringo Starr sold the first pressing at Julien’s auction for $790,000. The record’s serial number was “A0000001.”
33. Arcade Games – up to $2500
A malfunctioning arcade cabinet can go for $400.Playable cabinets see those prices rise to more than $2,000.
34. Turntables – up to $2000
Depending on the brand, an old record player could make you a profit. And don’t bother with newer ones since it’s the old stuff collectors want.
35. Depression Glass – up to $75 a piece
Certain colors, engravings, and patterns will sell better than others due to higher demand. Ruby red and cobalt blue depression glasses with the American Sweetheart pattern are highly sought-after and some of the most expensive. Expect to pay up to $75. Or go for a set priced at $450.
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