Can Anyone Tell If These Objects Are Worth Anything?
For one thing, living in a free market means we can buy whatever we want whenever we want, as long as we have the money. We love to shop. As it turns out, as a society, we buy a lot of waste. Some people even hoard it, believing it will be worth something in the future. When it comes to collecting, what are these collectors really worth? Take a look at these items and see if you have what it takes to appraise them. What do you think they are, treasure or trash?
Beatles Chewing Gum Cards
In 1963, photos of The Beatles were printed inside bubble gum trading cards. Many a screaming teenage girl would collect and hoard the photos when Beatlemania was in full swing, especially because of the blue ink autograph on the front of the card. A collection of these rock and roll relics appears to be quite valuable. On eBay, however, even a set of Beatles cards in mint condition barely makes a dent. Is it a treasure or a relic? On the auction site, you can get one of “the Fab Four” for about a dollar.
Video Game Consoles
The gaming industry is on the rise. New video game console releases have parents scrambling to keep their children’s gaming environments as up to date as the next kid’s. Some game consoles are extremely valuable.
Video Game Consoles
A Nintendo Playstation sold for $360,000 at auction, making it a true treasure. It’s a prototype that’s a mix of Nintendo and PlayStation. It may not appear to be a large sum of money until you learn that a first-edition “Super Mario 64” video game sold for $1.56 million. In 1996, it was the first game to feature 3D gameplay and was a sealed copy.
Pokémon Cards
Are there any Pokémon cards in your collection? Do you think they’re worth anything? To be honest, yes. Some Pokémon cards are selling for tens of thousands of dollars, thanks to the same viral marketing campaign that skyrocketed the price of Garbage Pail Kids trading cards.
Pokémon Cards
These mint-condition pieces of decorative cardboard sell for between $23,000 and $25,000 on average. What is the point of the appeal? Nostalgia. The children of the 1990s are now adults. They are currently making investments. It’s a cool place to stash money for a former Pokémon kid.
Paintings by Thomas Kinkade
The “Painter of Light,” Thomas Kinkade, recognized early on what people desired. Intuitively, his paintings depicted a world that people wished they could live in, and he sold millions of prints of cozy cottage townscapes. In the 1990s, sales at his nationwide chain of art galleries skyrocketed. It reached its peak in 2001, with sales of $130 million.
Paintings By Thomas Kinkade
Kinkade Galleries, on the other hand, was bankrupt by the time the artist died in 2012. His illustrious artistic empire was shattered at his feet. Paintings by Thomas Kinkade are worthless. But don’t throw them away just yet; his death creates scarcity, and scarcity creates value.
Star Wars Action Figures
“Star Wars” is a phenomenon that began in the late 1970s and continues to this day. The film was such a smash hit that it turned a galaxy far, far away into a fantasy reality for vast swaths of people. You’d have at least one of the figurines if you were a kid back then. But, more importantly, did you keep it?
Star Wars Action Figures
Is it worth it or not? A typical “Star Wars” action figure costs between $2 and $5. A sealed dude from 1977 to 1985, on the other hand, costs between $100 and $200. From there, prices soar. A $30,000 Darth Vader double telescoping figure from 1978 is on the market.
PEZ Dispensers
PEZ Candy and the wonderful plastic dispensers available in every child’s favorite character are a childhood marvel. It’s a collection by default once the candy is gone. To refill the cartridge, all that is required are candies.
PEZ Dispensers
People keep these items for a variety of reasons, including nostalgia and the belief that they may be worth money in the future. While a particularly valuable PEZ has been sold at auction, the majority of the dispensers are better suited for the trash. Of course, once the child is ready to part with it.
Wheat Pennies
Have you ever seen a wheat penny before? With two wheat sprays surrounding the words “one cent,” it’s immediately noticeable. From 1909 to 1956, they were minted. One would instinctively keep these pennies.
Wheat Pennies
Wheat pennies have a higher monetary value than new pennies. The only problem is that they are worth three to four cents more than face value, so you’d have to collect a lot of them to call them a treasure.
Precious Moments Figurines
We’ve seen headlines detailing how much Precious Moments figurines (pictured here on the right-hand table) are worth all over the internet and on collectibles websites. People are clearly attached to the cute 1970s porcelain pieces, but does that mean they are valuable?
Precious Moments Figurines
A quick look through a collectibles database reveals a plethora of Precious Moments, all of which are reasonably priced. They haven’t lost their value over the decades, with prices ranging from $20 to $50, but they’re hardly treasures. Perhaps a treasured memory.
License Plates
Despite the fact that the car has long since been sold, the license plates for the vehicle remain in the garage. Is it a good idea to keep license plates?
License Plates
You aren’t sitting on a treasure unless you have license plates from the early 1900s to the 1920s. The majority of old license plates are simply that: old, and they can be recycled at the DMV.
Beanie Babies
So, when you bought a Beanie Baby, you knew that removing the red cardboard “Ty” tag would reduce its value by half, so you left the tag on all of them. Experts predicted that within a decade, our Beanie Baby would be worth a substantial amount of money.
Beanie Babies
Those Beanie Babies were a thing of the past. But what we didn’t know at the time was that Ty was manipulating the supply and demand, tinkering with the market. We were all duped by the company. To be found or discarded? These adorable stuffed toys are currently selling for around $5 each.
Happy Meal Toys
Toys from the Happy Meal line have fetched hundreds of dollars on eBay. Since the 1970s, McDonald’s has been offering children toys in order to encourage them to eat their food.
Happy Meal Toys
As far as I know, there aren’t many boxes of Happy Meals that haven’t been opened or played with. Is it worth it or not? You have the final say.
Costume Jewelry
To be considered vintage, costume jewelry must date back at least 20 years. It must be at least 50 to 100 years old to be considered antique. Antique costume jewelry styles such as art nouveau from the 1900s, art deco from the 1930s, and Bakelite from the 1940s are the most collectible.
Costume Jewelry
Even if it isn’t authentic, vintage costume jewelry from the likes of Chanel, Tiffany, or Dior could be worth something today! Much more valuable are costume jewelry pieces with precious metals and gems. Cutting a gem can raise its value. Costume jewelry, on the other hand, is almost never made from priceless treasures.
Stamp Collections
Serious stamp collectors are serious about their work. For the past fifty to one hundred years, valuable stamps have remained largely untouched. A museum-quality storage and mounting environment must be used to preserve them.
Stamp Collections
After 1960, stamps have little value. It’s like striking oil when you find a rare stamp. Taking up the hobby of stamp collecting is akin to showing up for a professional baseball game without any prior experience or training. Is it a treasure or a relic? A stamp in a collection will be worthless unless it can be applied to an envelope and delivered by the postal service.
Cereal Boxes
Every day, people throw cereal boxes away. This is self-evident. But, if that’s the case, why do some people collect them? People are collecting old cereal boxes, yes, you read that correctly. They’re literally hoarding trash.
Cereal Boxes
It’s a small group of collectors, but that doesn’t mean they’re not passionate about their work. At Heritage Auctions, a box of Rice Honeys with a “Yellow Submarine” tie-in featuring The Beatles and a set of “rub-ons” from the film sold for $1,430.
Sports Trading Cards
Because the player’s greatness is unknown during his rookie years, first edition rookie cards will become valuable in the future. Values would skyrocket if there were only a few left in circulation. Consider the illustrious Honus Wagner.
Sports Trading Cards
Baseball card companies, on the other hand, flooded the market with so many duplicates in the 1980s and 1990s that they are now awash in depreciation. Most sports fans would cringe at the thought of tossing their prized cards in the trash, but that’s exactly what they’re worth. Who knows, though, because sports card trading is booming.
Old Tiffany Lamps
These vibrant mosaic lampshades are among the most well-known and well-known lamps ever created. Louis Comfort Tiffany, the son of the prominent New York City jewelry family Tiffany & Co., designed the Tiffany lamp. From the late 1890s to the 1920s, he opened Tiffany Studios and produced decorative lampshades.
Old Tiffany Lamps
These lamps are prized for more than their aesthetic value. Every Tiffany lamp is priceless. The prices range from $4,000 to $1 million, with one going for more than $2 million. Imitations are of no use.
Magazines
People save magazines and store them in the attic or garage. However, the chances of finding a rare edition in those stacks are slim to none. A magazine must be the first edition of the first printing of a particular magazine to be valuable.
Magazines
There are exceptions. For example, a cover featuring a well-known figure such as Marilyn Monroe sells for $15 to $75. The first issue of “Playboy,” which features Marilyn in the centerfold, is worth around $1,500.
Barbie Dolls
Barbie dolls from the original production run with the date “1966 Mattel, Inc.” stamped on them could be valuable. However, because the same stamp can be found on many later dolls, it’s difficult to tell the difference. Only a few Barbie styles are collectibles among vintage dolls.
Barbie Dolls
In other words, the Barbies in the basement will not be considered treasure. The good news is that Mattel is now assisting you with your garbage disposal. Mattel PlayBack is a program that recycles old dolls and turns them into Barbies for the next generation.
Funko Pops
Pop Vinyl is a collectible doll based on pop culture characters, particularly from the comic book universe. The replicas are available for purchase as collectibles. Be careful what you buy. Even nostalgia doesn’t seem to be able to boost the value of Funko Pops.
Funko Pops
Mistaken Funko Pops collectors warn against collecting the Pop Vinyl all over the internet. They claim that the item has no resale value. However, even if you are able to sell one, it will not be worth more than $30. Reddit has issued yet another warning. “You Should Not ‘Invest’ in Funko Pops,” the feed warns.
American Girl Samantha
Samantha Parkington is an American Girl doll with a 1904 story. If you’ve ever been to an American Girl store or had to make a holiday gift list for a little girl, you know how expensive these dolls can be.
American Girl Samantha
How much can an American Doll be worth after they’ve been played with? Samantha was one of the first American Girl dolls to be released in 1986, and she was one of the first dolls to be introduced to children. Samantha dolls from that year are difficult to come by because the line was phased out in 2009. They’re $1850 each. Molly McIntire, another original, is the next most expensive, but she was retired in 2013.
Rock Collections
A lovely collection of rocks, including quartz, obsidian, and amethyst, as well as all of your basic minerals, is kept in that drawstring pouch. The stash, which is popular with kids, is unquestionably a treasure.
Rock Collections
However, if you’re looking for real value, rocks like these aren’t hard to come by. For example, an amethyst isn’t worth much until it’s polished and shaped into a gemstone and set in a lovely ring. Even after it has been prepared for jewelry, the price is usually under $10.
Coins From the Franklin Mint
The Franklin Mint sells money to collectors. Coin pressers sell collectibles such as gold-plated state quarters and Harley-Davidson silver dollars. Since 1964, the Franklin Mint has been selling coins, but not to Americans.
Coins From The Franklin Mint
The Franklin Mint is unrelated to the U.S. Mint. The Franklin Mint coins are beautiful to look at, but even as a collection, they are worthless. If you try to cash them in, they are worthless.
Pogs
What are Pogs, exactly? Pogs stories were circulating on the internet, claiming that the cardboard disks were being sold on eBay. Hundreds, if not thousands, of game pieces were being exchanged.
Pogs
Pogs was a popular video game during the 1990s. On beverage lids, the small round disks were placed. The acronym comes from a Hawaiian brand of juice called Passion Orange Guava. The craze erupted into a full-fledged phenomenon. Millions of beverage bottles held Pogs, which the kids collected. Despite the fact that Pogs were all the rage, collectors who hold on to them are hoarding a mountain of garbage. They cost around 20 cents each.
Cassette Tapes
Listening to music was revolutionized when cassette tapes replaced the old 8-track tapes, which were larger tapes that only played eight songs. A complete album could be stored on a single cassette tape, and the sound quality would be greatly improved.
Cassette Tapes
Playing the cassettes over and over wasn’t a problem at all, and the cassettes even flipped to the other side on their own. It was soon apparent, however. If you make one mistake, your brand-new U2 album will be a twisted tape mess. Trash. So, what’s their current market value? They don’t believe that. For less than five dollars, you can get a whole box of cassette tapes.
Lego Sets
There is nothing like a kid’s toy chest full of Lego sets. A real danger to harried parents were the expensive toys that came with a zillion tiny pieces all over the floor. You’d first hear a scream, followed by a curse.
Lego Sets
The Taj Mahal now sells for $1,422 if that helps them feel better. This means $1,455 for a 2007 Eifel Tower (1:300) model. The value of rare Legos cannot be overstated!
Polly Pocket
Toys like Polly Pocket are relics from the 1990s. The adorable dolls came with their own personal space and a slew of teeny-tiny extras to go along with them. Polly Pocket sets are said to be worth a lot of money on the internet.
Polly Pocket
Polly Pocket full sets in perfect condition are extremely rare. The majority of the sets have been handled a lot and with love. Who has a complete set that isn’t missing a single shoe? However, Mattel does not produce valuable Polly Pocket sets. They come from Bluebird Toys, the first British toy company. Polly Pocket worlds were first released in 1983 by Bluebird before being purchased by Mattel.
Hot Wheels
Die-cast cars were first introduced by Mattel in 1968, and children have been collecting them ever since. A $150,000 hot pink VW bus with surfboards hanging out the back is famous. There are a few more with price tags in the tens of thousands, but don’t go digging through your Hot Wheels collection just yet.
Hot Wheels
Almost every Hot Wheel is only worth a dollar or two. Because it came from the original 1969 lot and was a misfit, the VW bus is valuable. After crashing and burning on the iconic yellow Hot Wheels track, Mattel slammed the brakes on production. It was therefore rare.
Model Trains
Model train sets range in size from a single track that circles the room to rooms filled with tracks, trains, and miniature cities. Model train collectors devote countless hours and thousands of dollars to their collections.
Model Trains
But what are they really worth? Nope. No, the money invested in the hobby will never be recouped. The sale of the locomotives does not provide a return on the investment.
Garbage Pail Kids Trading Cards
Garbage Pail Kids was a 1980s phenomenon. Garbage Pail Kids was a parody of the cute Cabbage Patch doll craze. They were revolting, naughty, and cringeworthy rather than adorable. Is it worth it or not?
Garbage Pail Kids Trading Cards
An Adam Bomb and a Corroded Carl card were included. The Garbage Pail Kids might hang out with the “South Park” kids. Trading cards, believe it or not, are extremely valuable in terms of money. On eBay, a first-edition 1985 Adam Bomb trading card sold for $10,000. Even though it was published in 2013, a first edition Corroded Carl sold for $6,000.
Old College Pennants
University pennants were once a popular way for college students to show their support for their team and alma mater. These vintage pennants should be worth something if they’re attached to walls or even the ceiling.
Old College Pennants
According to eBay, this simply isn’t the situation. However, it is possible that the trend will reverse itself in the future. What kind of alum would throw their college pennant in the trash?
British Royal Family Collectibles
Collectibles of British royal memorabilia have been around for a long time. The Victorian era saw a shift in manufacturing. It was so popular that for the first time, collectible items were mass-produced.
British Royal Family Collectibles
Although these mementos appear to have historical value, mass production has caused their value and interest to decline since the Victorian era. People bring in these types of items all the time, according to antique dealer Deric Blackler, and are “quite surprised” when they learn they are worthless.
Apple II
The Apple II was the first commercially available Macintosh computer, released in 1977. It came with 4 to 48 kilobytes of RAM, a 5-inch floppy drive, and a large monitor that only displayed green text.
Apple II
The Apple II is a dinosaur these days, as we plow through 50 kilobytes on a single file. But, believe it or not, this machine, designed by Apple co-founders Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, is a gem. A working Apple II sold for $4,687 at auction.
Norman Rockwell Decorative Plates
Norman Rockwell was an American artist who painted idyllic scenes of life in the United States. His work became an American institution because it was so well-liked. “Americana” is synonymous with his creations. He’s known for being able to bridge the gap between illustration and serious painting. Although high-brow art dismissed Rockwell’s work, he illustrated Mark Twain’s “Tom Sawyer” and painted presidential portraits for Kennedy, Nixon, Johnson, and Eisenhower.
Norman Rockwell Decorative Plates
Rockwell’s iconic American imagery can be found on these plates. His one-of-a-kind appeal evokes nostalgia and exudes worth, but it isn’t genuine. Boomers, we apologize for the inconvenience. Is it worth it or not? The latter group includes Rockwell plates. One costs $10.
Hummel Figurines
These adorable porcelain figurines were one of America’s most popular collectibles. The Hummel Figurines originated in Germany in 1935, and the porcelain models were inspired by the artistic designs of Maria Hummel, a German nun.
Hummel Figurines
Throughout the 20th century, the Goebel company produced the figurines. People would pay $5,000 to get their hands on an original. But then Goebel let the floodgates open, and there were far too many. This is a classic example of “treasure to trash.” On eBay, you can get one for a buck.
Disney ‘Black Diamond’ VHS Tapes
Between the mid-80s and the mid-90s, Disney released “Black Diamond” VHS tapes. People’s Disney movies, according to reports on Facebook and other media, could be worth thousands of dollars. Disney VHS tapes can be found for thousands of dollars on eBay.
Disney ‘Black Diamond’ VHS Tapes
It appears to be legitimate. There may be some value in classic titles like “Bambi” or “Pinocchio,” which were released decades ago. However, the truth is that each one costs about a dollar. Is it worth it or not? eBay is not immune to scams, which many people are surprised to learn.
Board Games
Another item that people collect is board games. They’re a lot of fun to play, and who knows, maybe one day they’ll be worth a fortune. Unfortunately, the answer is no. Board games aren’t particularly valuable collectibles.
Board Games
Some names from the 1800s and early 1900s may be worth something. It sold for $1,250, just like “The Mansion of Happiness” from the 1800s. Given how old it is, it isn’t particularly valuable. It includes ivory game pieces in a leather pouch, as well as a hand-colored board.
Broadway Playbills
Collecting “Broadway Playbills,”, particularly from opening night, used to be popular. Even vintage playbills, however, have lost their value. A signed “Hamilton” from the first run sold for only $50. The issue is that many people are uninterested in collecting playbills. It’s the post-internet era of mainstream Broadway’s fault.
Broadway Playbills
Playbills from the past have not always been highly valued. A “Romeo & Juliet” from the Theatre Royal in 1821 is listed for $275. A signed playbill by Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier, on the other hand, will fetch $1555. Playbills are a sleeper collection in general.
Textbooks
Those who have kept their college textbooks may as well keep them. A textbook is useful for a limited period of time. While some old books should be kept, textbooks should not.
Textbooks
If there is to be any value from the course, it must be sold as soon as it concludes. Today’s college students are fortunate. Each text is scanned and valued by an Amazon app. There will be no longer be any long lines at the university bookstore.
Movie Posters
Hundreds of thousands of dollars can be paid for a movie poster. A poster for the 1932 Hollywood classic “Mummy” sold for $435,000 on eBay. Others, such as the posters for “Casablanca” (1946) and “Dracula,” fetched thousands of dollars (1931).
Movie Posters
A “Pulp Fiction” poster and a “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” poster both sold for a lot of money. Many of the newer movie posters, on the other hand, only attract high bids when there is a misprint or other rarity. Movie posters from the 1980s such as “The Breakfast Club,” “E.T.,” “Ghostbusters,” and “The Outsiders” aren’t worth the paper they were printed on.
Comic Books
Markets are flooded with countless issues of recent comic books, similar to sports cards. Publishers print in large quantities due to the high demand for comic-related merchandise. Another factor is that today’s editions’ characters lack the uber-popular appeal of, say, Superman.
Comic Books
Furthermore, today’s Superman issues aren’t worth much. On the other hand, if you have an original Iron Man or Thor comic book, it could be worth a million dollars or more.
Pandora Bracelet Charms
In the mid-2000s, the Pandora bracelet trend was huge (and still is for some). Personalized trinkets were mixed and matched in adorable ways. Pandora charms were an excellent choice for a gift.
Pandora Bracelet Charms
Jewelry from one of the world’s largest bauble retailers should be worth something. Brand new Pandora charms can cost up to $65. Charms from the past that have been discontinued are cheaper, ranging from $10 to $20. When even discontinued pieces are only worth a fraction of the price of new ones, you know the trend has shifted toward trash.
Adidas Sneakers
Is there any value in old tennis shoes? Before Nike, Adidas was the most popular brand of footwear in the 1970s. Adidas is a German sportswear company that debuted the classic three-stripe shoe design in 1949.
Adidas Sneakers
It is the largest sportswear company in Europe. A pair of authentic trainers can be worth thousands of dollars! One pair fetched $1,500. Treasure! The Rimowa-edition “Pitch Black” Adidas is the rarest.
Vinyl
Many people have dug out their old turntables or purchased new ones as a result of the renewed interest in vinyl. The craze has resulted in a glut of used records for sale. Even new music is being released on vinyl by record labels.
Vinyl
It’s like winning the lottery if you come across a first-edition Elvis Presley or Bob Dylan album. This rarity, however, would have to be in perfect condition. Aside from sentimental value, most vinyl records are so mass-produced that they’re basically trash, especially if they’re scratched.
Wine
Purchasing fine wines is a costly endeavor. It’s also a highly complex and knowledge-based adventure. It takes a lot of research to figure out which wines will appreciate in value over time. To begin, a wine that is investment-grade must increase in value after five years.
Wine
If you come across a first-edition Elvis Presley or Bob Dylan album, it’s like winning the lottery. This rarity, on the other hand, would have to be in immaculate condition. Aside from sentimental value, most vinyl records are mass-produced to the point of being trash, especially if they’re scratched.
Julia Child’s Cookbook
America’s chef was Julia Child. She learned how to cook while stationed in France with her husband. She studied under the best chefs and turned her passion into a profession. She was the first of the celebrity chefs to cook for us on television, and it was a lot of fun.
Julia Child’s Cookbook
“Mastering the Art of French Cooking” is the title of the cookbook she put together while studying cuisine in Paris. This book is a treasure, no matter how tattered and well-used it is. Not just for the delectable recipes. A copy with the original jacket can fetch upwards of $2,000 in good condition.
Cabbage Patch Kids
During the 1980s, Cabbage Patch Kids were a huge craze. Parents and grandparents were willing to pay anything in 1983, just before the holiday season, to get their children one of these bizarre-looking dolls. Some major department stores had Black Friday-style altercations, which shocked shoppers and dampened the holiday spirit.
Cabbage Patch Kids
No one wants a Cabbage Patch Kid anymore, and it doesn’t matter if it comes with a birth certificate or not. Now, that dingy doll that was once a prized possession is better suited for the trash bin. A new one can be purchased from any retailer.
Sewing Patterns
There are some people who can sew and have a large collection of old patterns. Large sheets of tissue paper are used to print clothing patterns. It’s easy to see that patterns are nothing more than a set of written instructions for creating clothing.
Sewing Patterns
Craft and fabric stores still sell sewing patterns. Patterns, on the other hand, aren’t worth much, even if they can be used again. As long as it’s in an unopened envelope, a well-known designer can bring in $50. Who, on the other hand, possesses a stash of unopened sewing patterns? Basically no one.
Gnomes
Gnomes have been around for a long time. Folklore propelled their popularity when they were first discovered in the 1800s in Germany and Switzerland. They were thought to bring good fortune to farms and gardens. The gnome craze began in earnest after Disney’s 1930 film “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.”
Gnomes
Is there any value in gnomes? None at all. Lampy is the oldest known garden gnome still alive. It was created in Germany in 1847 and now resides in Lamport Hall in Northamptonshire, England. This priceless relic is valued at £2 million.
Calendars
As long as you think that old calendars are worthless, you may be right. Perhaps a calendar of Marilyn Monroe or a 1978 “Star Wars” calendar would be a better choice.
Calendars
The bad news comes from doing the research. Even a Marilyn Monroe pinup from 1956 went for less than $50. What about that original “Star Wars” film, though? As far as I can tell, eBay is asking $12 for it. If you still have last year’s calendar lying around, feel free to throw it away.