16 Things Everyone Collected That Are Worth Big Money Today

Imagine all the junk we collected as kids, and how we thought it could be worth money someday. Now, some collections have become real treasures. The collectibles market has seen a boom and this brings even the most common collectibles out of your shoebox and off your shelf.

1. Original Star Wars Action Figures

If the 1977-1985 Kenner Action Figures that you had as a toy collection are still in the box, you could make a lot of money selling them. A Luke Skywalker figure that is in mint condition sold for $25,000. If you have a vinyl capped Jawa figure, you could also sell it for over $18,000. Other figures that are out of the box, but are in good condition have the potential to sell for hundreds of dollars.

2. Comic Books from the 1960s and 70s

The comics we bought for 12 cents at the local drug store are now worth a lot more money. The very first Spider-Man comic sold for $3.6 million because it is very hard to find. Other early Marvel Comics that have the X-Men or the fantastic 4 in it can go for $10,000 or more.

3. Baseball Cards Pre-1980

A pack of bubble gum cards used to cost a quarter. If you have a Mickey Mantle or Willie Mays rookie card, that can also go for a lot of money because it is a very old card from the 1950’s. Even new cards from the old sets can be worth a lot of money if they are in good condition.

4. Original Barbie Dolls and Accessories

The first Barbie doll from 1959 can also go for a lot of money if it is in a good box. Most of the older Barbie dolls can also be worth $2000 or more if they still have their outfits and accessories.

5. LEGO Sets from the 1970s and 80s

An unopened LEGO set from 1979 can sell for over $2,000. The Cosmic Command Center and the Galaxy Explorer are two examples. Even set that has been opened and all pieces are accounted for can sell for hundreds of dollars.

6. First Edition Books

First editions of books are extremely valuable. Printed in high quality and bound in hardcover, classic literature such as “To Kill A Mockingbird” and “The Catcher and the Rye” sell for $15,000 to $35,000. Early editions of children’s literature such as “Where the Wild Things Are” also sell for thousands of dollars.

7. Vinyl Records

Classic albums from the 1950s and 1960s have original pressings that sell for thousands of dollars today. Depending on condition and number, The Beatles’ “White Album” can sell for $1,000 to over $10,000. Four-figure prices can be found on certain albums from the 1970s punk and prog rock.

8. Hot Wheels Cars

Hot Wheels cars that were made between 1968 and 1977, especially the “Redlines” (so called because the tires had a red line painted on them), are worth a lot. The Pink Rear-Loading Beach Bomb prototype made in 1969 sold for more than $175,000. Even common Redlines made in the same period can sell for hundreds if they are in good condition.

9. Stamp Collections

Albums of stamps that have been carefully preserved can reveal treasures that were hidden. The 1918 Inverted Jenny is an example of a rare stamp that can sell for more than 1 million dollars. A completed set of a common vintage stamp made between the 1940s to the 1960s can also be worth a significant amount of money.

10. PEZ Dispensers

Vintage PEZ dispensers are extremely valuable. An example is the 1982 World’s Fair astronaut dispenser that has sold for over $32,000. Character dispensers from the 1960s can also be worth hundreds if they are in good condition.

11. Pokémon Cards

In April 2021, a first edition 1999 trading card of Charizard in perfect condition sold for $300,000! The prices of trading cards have skyrocketed, especially for rare holographic cards. Even a complete set of common 1999 trading cards is very valuable.

12. Transformers Toys

A sealed 1985 Optimus Prime sells for $2,000 while the even rarer Pepsi Optimus Prime goes for way more.

13. Vintage Board Games

Monopoly first editions from 1935 sell for 2,000-3,000 dollars and the 1959 game Fortune is also very valuable.

14. Coin Collections

Lincoln pennies are common until you find dates like 1909. Finding one of those pennies could put thousands in your pocket. Until 1964 all silver coins are valuable just for the metal.

15. Vintage Lunch Boxes

A 1954 Superman lunch box sold for $11,500 and a 1962 Aladdin Dick Tracy box sold for 3,000. Lunch boxes made of metal in the 1950s and 1960s that have cartoons on them are very valuable.

16. Original G.I. Joe Action Figures

A 1964 G.I. Joe Marine figure in the original package sells for over $10,000 and the prices of those figures have gone up a lot!