We are all familiar with the tales of a child stumbling upon a priceless comic book in a secondhand shop or a family discovering a hidden wine cellar beneath the floorboards of their new home, worth a small fortune. Some of the most remarkable sales in history have arisen from the unlikeliest of objects. Let’s begin!
Original 1959 Barbie
Maker: Mattel
Original Price: $3
Worth Today: $27,450
Before there was Barbie, dolls were always babies or stuffed toys. It was Barbie that revolutionized the doll market and the toy industry as a whole.
Mattel was the first toy company to advertise to children. This made sure the original sales of Barbie skyrocketed.
Barbie dolls are highly collectible today. An original 1959 Barbie can make you a small fortune.
The initial purchase price was just $3 originally, so that marks a great return on investment. But like any collectible, the unboxed, untouched Barbies command the highest price at auction.
1927 World Series Ticket Stub
Maker: Major League Baseball
Original Price: $1
Worth Today: $41,825
In 1927, The Yankees League with legends Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig won a record-breaking 110 games, finishing with a 19-game lead.
They are considered the greatest team in the history of baseball, and if you were at the Series, then you witnessed the best of the best.
That’s why this ticket stub can fetch over $40,000. Sports memorabilia is taken very seriously among collectors.
These tickets will have cost around $1, so that’s a very impressive return on investment.
You’d think a ticket stub is just a flimsy piece of card, but the historical connotations can’t be underestimated.
Big sports collectors and fans would love to have this stub on display at home.
New York Yankee Bobblehead 1961-62
Maker: New York Yankees
Original Price: Unknown
Worth Today: $59,750
New York Yankee Bobbleheads can be quite a valuable commodity if you know what to look for.
These things noddingly approve when sold for prices upwards of $5,000. They are a very popular collector’s item.
But this one is special because only two were ever made. They were hand-painted and made from ceramic and paper-mâché.
If you have one of these 14-inch bobbleheads in decent condition then you could make $60,000.
Finding one in an immaculate state is the challenge. Bobbleheads are interesting to kids who don’t know what “future value” means.
But when they do pop up at auction, they’re highly sought after for the same reason.
Action Comics No.1 Comic Book
Maker: Jerry Siegel and Joe Schuster
Original Price: 10c
Worth Today: $3.2 Million
This is the very first superhero comic book. It featured several superheroes, especially Superman, and is credited as the start of the superhero genre.
It is the most valuable comic of all time, so go search in that old comic box collecting dust because you never know.
Published in 1938, the cover features Superman lifting a green car with people fleeing the scene.
200,000 copies were printed which sold out quickly. It didn’t take long to realize that Superman was the reason it sold, so they soon began selling a million copies a month.
Comic books have become popular in recent years thanks to Disney and Sony. This comic cost just 10 cents at the time, but a pristine version can go for $3.2 million.
1856 1-Cent Magenta Stamp from British Guiana Stamp
Maker: British Guiana
Original Price: 1c
Worth Today: $9.5 Million
Discovered in a basement among his uncle’s stamp collection in 1873 by a Scottish schoolboy, the stamp found itself in several hands before reaching Arthur Hind in 1922, who was said to have outbid three kings for the price of $36,000.
It has increased in value substantially, so stamp collectors began dusting off their old stamps before having them appraised.
The rare 1c stamp from British Guiana, now Guyana, was issued in 1856 and is the only one in existence today.
It sold four times, breaking the record for the highest amount paid for each time it went. The last was for a staggering $9.5 million when it was sold to shoe designer Stuart Weizman.
It’s difficult to understand why stamps are so highly collected, but it is one of the biggest niches in the market for decades.
Stamp collectors will pay through the nose to get their hands on something this rare and unique.
2018-19 Luka Doncic Basketball Card
Maker: Rookie Card
Original Price: $16.99
Worth Today: $4.6 Million
Autographed basketball cards are worth a fortune.
Antetokounmpo and a LeBron James 2013-2014 Patch rookie card sold for $1.8 million each.
A fragment of Michael Jordan’s used jersey converted into an autographed card sold for $1.44 million.
But the record-breaker is a signed single-print rookie card with Dallas Mavericks point guard, Luka Doncic, fetching $4.6 million.
Considering Doncic was only in his third NBA season here, it’s unlikely the record will be broken in the near future.
Other rookie cards have also made a lot of cash though, like Tom Brady’s own card, fetching $1.32 million.
These cards are worth almost as much as the players themselves. Almost.
Brady sits on $145 million, while Luka Doncic is worth around $5 million.
“Birds of America” by James Audubon
Maker: John James Audubon
Original Price: $126
Worth Today: $10.27 Million
The Bird Of America is a collection of James Audubon prints of his hand-painted, watercolor birds.
This large, four-volume book set contains 435 intricate paintings, with only four copies of known to exist. The book went to auction in 2018 and made over $10 million.
It was purchased by Carl W. Knobloch, Jr and given as a gift to the foundation run by his family, the Knobloch Family Foundation (KFF), which is focused on conservation.
All of the money was invested in environmental causes.
It’s not often items like this come up since they’re so rare and unique. And to see them auctioned off for charitable purposes is less common.
“Birds of America” gets double points for this, as James Audubon never envisioned such great things for his work.
The Beatles’ White Album
Maker: Apple Records
Original Price: $11.28
Worth Today: $790,000
The White Album was released in November 1968, becoming the ninth studio album from the legendary band.
Ringo Star’s personal copy of the album sold for a staggering $790,000 when it went on sale 50 years later.
The reason for this is twofold, firstly since it was owned by Star and was in his personal collection. He is quoted to have said that the new owner of the record will have his fingerprints on the vinyl.
Secondly, the record was numbered No.0000001. All of the records were numbered and this was the first one made.
There is a big market for Beatles memorabilia since the band is so iconic.
Lyrics sheets and other artifacts can go for hundreds of thousands, and even millions of dollars.
This particular one is notable, but there have been many before it, and there will be many others that follow.
First Edition G.I. Joe Action Figure
Maker: Hasbro
Original Price: $4
Worth Today: $200,000
In 1964, the first G.I Joe action figure was released. It was a big toy with a lot of success, but production cost was too high thanks to its size so they stopped making the original figures.
Hasbro realized that the action figure would sell way more if the character had a story.
That saw the beginning of his universe of heroic military figures. The original first edition toy now has extraordinary value, selling for $200,000 in an auction back in 2003.
G.I. Joe has remained a staple in American culture, that’s why it’s so highly loved.
Channing Tatum even starred in two movies based on the character, cementing G.I Joe’s legacy even further.
McGwire’s 70th Home Run Baseball
Maker: Unknown
Original Price: $6
Worth Today: $3 Million
Mark McGwire, known as “one of the most fearsome power hitters in baseball in the 1990s”, set a record with 70 home runs in one season back in 1998.
This was the one he used, hitting his 70th home run of the year, cementing his status in the Baseball hall of fame.
In January 1999, the ball was purchased by a then-anonymous buyer at a record-breaking $3 million.
The buyer was revealed to be Todd McFarlane, saying that he spent his entire life savings on this ball. It went over 23 times the amount of any baseball before 1999.
$3 million is a lot of money for a ball, but Todd’s love of the game was strong enough to overrule logic.
But if the ball has increased in value since, then it could be a wise investment.
Nokia 3310 Leaders Ti Royal Diamond
Maker: Nokia/HMD Global/Caviar
Original Price: $25,000
Worth Today: TBD
Classic Nokia 3310s can be worth a pretty sum, but there are some versions that could pay off the rest of your mortgage.
In 2017, a Russian company called Caviar released a diamond-encrusted version featuring world leaders.
Worth over $25,000, the luxury phone does not have all the tech that modern smartphones have, but it’s a collector’s dream.
Chances are the phone will only increase in value, so owners are potentially sitting on a good investment,
Metropolis Poster
Maker: Heinz Schulz-Neudamm
Original Price: Unknown
Worth Today: $690,000
Released in 1927, Metropolis was the most expensive silent film of its time.
A German expressionist science-fiction film, it was about social classes and the divide that it creates. The film was directed by Fritz Lang while the poster was designed by graphic artist Heinz Schulz-Neudamm.
There were only four created.
One is in the Museum of Modern Art, another in a German museum, and one in a private collection. The fourth poster sold for $690,000 in 2005 to a US collector.
Movie memorabilia can be incredibly lucrative.
Anything from posters to rare costumes, or even autographs can sell for huge amounts. We all love movies, and that makes the business an interesting one to be in if you’re looking to make more money.
Princess Diana Beanie Baby
Maker: Ty
Original Price: $5-$7
Worth Today: $22,222
The purple Princess Diana beanie baby was created shortly after her passing in order to raise money for the Princess of Wales Memorial Fund.
These caused a massive frenzy, and so today are collecting dust in people’s attics, waiting for a rise in value.
The question of what they’re worth is disputed.
Some say they aren’t worth more than $5-$7 but others put them over $500,000. They say the deciding factor is the stuffing, as the first edition were filled with PVC pellets, which gets a higher valuation.
People are willing to pay for the rarest babies in their collection.
These were popular in the ‘90s, so it might be worth looking through mom’s attic to see if there’s one.
Stadium Events Video Game for Nintendo
Maker: Nintendo
Original Price: Unknown
Worth Today: $41,300
This is the rarest of all the US licensed Nintendo Entertainment System games.
Stadium Events only had 200 copies that were produced in 1987, with only 10 or 11 of the original American version around today.
The game comes with a mat that is made to exercise on while playing.
This predecessor to Dance revolution and Wii has become the stuff of legends in the gaming community.
Stories of someone finding the game in a thrift store or in their garage pop up at times.
One lucky owner found a copy in the attic of his childhood home, unopened and unplayed.
He listed it on eBay and was stunned to find out how much it was worth.
Beauty and the Beast VHS Tape
Maker: VHS
Original Price: $50
Worth Today: $14,500
The days before digital, when watching a movie or listening to music required inserting an object into a machine.
VHS came before DVDs and they were large and clunky.
Some are worthless, but Disney classics are worth a small fortune. An old copy of Beauty and the Beast, and a copy of Dumbo, sold for $14,500.
101 Dalmatians made over $25,000. Go dust off the old collection and have them appraised asap!
It’s been a long time since VHS tapes were the go-to gadget for home entertainment, so it’s unlikely you’ll have any of these around.
But they can be found lurking in thrift stores, so might be worth a look.
1953 Superman Lunchbox
Maker: Universal
Original Price: $2.39
Worth Today: $13,225
That lunchbox you were crazy about as a kid and showed off to your friends could be worth a small fortune.
Collectible lunch boxes are a thing, and the value is remarkably high if you can find the rarest of the bunch.
The 1953 Superman lunchbox is one such item.
This Universal made box features Superman fighting off robots and rescuing a damsel in distress. This lunch box can fetch over $13,000.
We all went through lunch boxes pretty quickly as kids, so if you had this and wish you’d kept it, don’t fret.
Keep your eye out on sites like eBay. One man’s kryptonite is another man’s treasure.
1951 Vincent Black Lightning Motorcycle
Maker: Vincent in Stevenage, England
Original Price: Unknown
Worth Today: $929,000
The 1951 Vincent Black Lightning Motorcycle holds the record for being the most expensive motorcycle ever.
It sold for nearly $1 million in 2018. Around 19 are known to exist today out of the original 33 that were produced.
Originally built by special order by Vincent in Stevenage, England, it was made for Australian racer Tony McAlpine who racked up an impressive record of wins, including Australia’s land speed record.
The second most expensive bike is half the value of this one, making it the winner on all grounds.
Classic cars and luxury vehicles do sell for hundreds of thousands, but a bike going for the same amount is not as common.
But that doesn’t mean there isn’t a market for big motorbike collectors.
McDonald’s “Mulan” Szechuan Sauce
Maker: McDonald’s
Original Price: free
Worth Today: $14,700
Everyone saw the viral images of the McDonald’s fries left in someone’s car for ages and didn’t grow mold.
Those fries earned online fame for 15 minutes but weren’t worth anything.
But this pack of sauce was forgotten in someone’s car since 1998. Not only did it not go rotten, but it became worth a small fortune.
The McDonalds ‘Mulan’ Szechuan Sauce was a limited-edition sauce when the film was released in 1998.
In 2017, as part of a publicity stunt, the creators of Rick and Morty petitioned to bring back the sauce.
An eBay buyer then spent a whopping $14,700 for the old sauce.
Sounds like a crazy move, but this buyer was driven by a passion for taste.
McDonald’s memorabilia found itself in the collecting world that often defies logic. Strange and interesting but that’s their charm.
Steiff Teddy Girl
Maker: Steiff
Original Price: Unknown
Worth Today: $171,600
Steiff Teddies are some of the most highly valued antique bears in the world.
They sell for remarkable prices and are known for stiff joints and mohair coats. This bear was made in 1905, a gift to a newborn Bob Henderson.
The bear accompanied the British Army Colonel to war, surviving the D-Day landings in 1962.
Henderson went on to found Good Bears of the World, providing teddies for sick children until his passing in 1990.
The Steiff bear sold at auction for $171,000. That set a world record for the most expensive teddy bear.
Henderson’s story is uplifting and remarkable, undoubtedly adding to the value of this stuffed animal that has traveled this far.
Flowing Hair Silver-Copper Dollar
Maker: US Mint
Original Price: $1
Worth Today: $10 Million
When a $1 coin sells for $10 million, people will say it was a good return on investment.
This flowing hair silver-copper dollar coin is thought to be the first silver dollar struck by the US Mint.
Purchased by Legend Numismatics, a rare-coin firm based in New Jersey, they said they would have bid higher if necessary.
The coin has unique features, making it especially valuable, and according to them, no museum has an equal piece.
If you want to spend $10 million on anything, this sounds like a good choice.
It’s a unique piece steeped in history, worth every dime. But who knows if there’s something similar waiting to be discovered somewhere.
Hummel Figurines
Maker: The Goebel Company
Original Price: $10-$20
Worth Today: $20-$40
Hummel figurines originated from the drawings of Sister Maria Innocentia, a nun, in the 1930s. Initially, these figurines found popularity primarily in Germany and Switzerland.
However, during World War II, American troops encountered them and started sending them as Christmas gifts back home.
This led to the rise of Hummels’ popularity across the ocean. A remarkable journey that spread the charm of these figurines worldwide.
Vintage Bluebird Polly Pocket
Maker: Bluebird Toys (Later Mattel)
Original Price: $15-$20
Worth Today: Up to $5,000 (Partytime Stamper)
Polly Pocket toys were miniature dolls accompanied by a variety of pocket-sized accessories.
Originally released in the 1980s and 1990s, these toys are now deemed vintage by collectors.
Being labeled as “vintage” has led to the potential for certain Polly Pockets to be resold at significant prices, making them valuable items in the eyes of collectors.
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