There are some fleeting chances that we might have more money than we believe we do. We could have some old books lying around in our house that might be worth a huge fortune. Even those dusty old toys that you think you will never use again can now be worth hundreds of dollars. We have collected a list of things that are worth a lot of money. How many of them do you have in your house?
Porcelain tableware – up to $5000
The simple tableware that is gathering dust in the kitchen cupboard can fetch you thousands of dollars online. Chances are, someone in the family has a set sitting in a cupboard, waiting for that fancy dinner party that never comes. If you are looking to sell it and make a little money on the side, now is the time. If you think it’s a nice set, take it to an antique dealer and see if you can get at least an estimate of its value. Some go for hundreds, if not thousands, online. Such porcelain antiques became a hit in the late 18th century, and vintage sets from the early 1900s have sold for a staggering $5000 online. Is anyone else planning on cleaning around the house right now?
Christmas ornaments – up to $1000
When you are decorating your tree during the Christmas period, you probably won’t think there is a fortune to be made. But I’ll give them a closer look this year if you want to make some money on the side. It may surprise you, but according to antique appraiser Eric Silver, Christmas ornaments can sell for $100 and blown glass ornaments can fetch up to $1,700. But those who have Christmas ornaments from Germany between 1840 and the early 1940s are the real jackpot winners, as these pieces can go for an incredible $18000! Now it’s time to dig through the garage in search of these treasures!
Game boys – up to $4000
You may remember that children were always whining about their parents’ gameboys. Perhaps it’s just as well that you were once given or bought a Game Boy! The Game Boy was first released in 1989 and quickly became the must-have toy of the time. But its influence did not stop there. Since we can no longer just go to a game shop and buy one of these portable game consoles, the resale market has driven the price up significantly and they now go from $750 to $2000 over the counter. A brand new Game Boy Work sold for over $4000 on a second-hand marketplace on 18 August 2019.
Rocking chair – Up to $5000
It is beginning to look as if rocking chairs have more significance than just helping babies to sleep. The famous rocking chairs were produced in the 1700s to help babies fall asleep. But there may be more to them now than meets the eye. Such furniture, if made between the 1950s and 1970s, can sell for nearly $5000. Sounds good, right? These rocking chairs can still be found in various living rooms and verandas today. So for those of us who still own one, we have good news.
Harry Potter Books – Up to $55000
Many people have started reading again during the pandemic. If you’ve spent all night reading every book in your house, pay attention, because if you still have a specific Harry Potter book, it could net you a small fortune. Experts have shared their top 10 books that could be worth thousands – including Harry Potter. Good news for Harry Potter collectors! If you have a hardcover edition of “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone,” check the printing line. If it says “10 9 8 7 6 5 43 2 1,” then you’ve hit the jackpot. The book is now worth $55000. If it says 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2 8 9/9 0/0 01 02, then it can be sold for up to $6500. I would say, quick look!
Old yearbooks – up to $10500
Almost everyone still has an old yearbook lying in the cupboard that you hardly ever look at anymore. But we can tell you that there is a chance that you will definitely use it again. You will probably think: What can an old yearbook full of clumsy school pictures have? Well, let us explain. If you, your parents, or your grandparents are “lucky” enough, you could be sitting on a big cash prize, if there is someone in that yearbook who has been in the spotlight ever since. You may have forgotten, but the possibility exists, of course, that the old yearbook with its clumsy school photographs can also bring in money if it happens to contain one or more famous people. A yearbook with a picture of James Dean has reportedly sold for over $10500 online. And if the now-famous person signs the yearbook, the price can go much higher.
Boom Boxes – up to $8250
Few children today probably know what a boom box is. These portable music players from the 1980s not only personified music but also gave birth to portable cassettes and CD players. And thanks to the high demand for vintage goods from today’s hipsters, the value of boomboxes has risen exponentially. You might not expect it, but in August 2019, a SharpGF-999 Stereo Boombox sold on a second-hand marketplace for $3000, while a VTG 2 Lasonic TRC-975 Ghetto Blaster Boombox from 1988 went for $8250. So, for those who still have an old boombox stashed away somewhere, it might be worth putting it up for sale.
Pyrex – up to $300+
The Pyrex passion of many has proven to be justified now that it is still worth a lot of money. Many of us still cling to our mother’s or grandmother’s colorful nesting bowls and beautifully patterned oven dishes, and there is even a blog and a Facebook group for the more dedicated collectors. After all, the company has been around for over 100 years. But did you know that durable glassware can actually be worth something, more than the beautiful memories? The seemingly ordinary tableware in your kitchen can be worth more than you expect, and here’s the proof. Chips and dips set are valued at $100 on a second-hand marketplace, and a butter dish goes for $225. Some dishes are even worth more than $300. Surely that is a wonderful price.
Mechanical piggy banks – up to $2500
To this day, you may still use a piggy bank to save money. But if your piggy bank has a certain mechanical property, you can sell it for a large sum of money. The Mechanical Bank Collectors of America has been looking for these devices since 1958. Guess how much they are offering? $2500! So I would quickly check with family and friends to see if they happen to have such a special piggy bank. Who knows, you might be able to earn some extra cash.
Antique biscuit tin – up to $3400
It may sound strange, but antique biscuit jars can be worth a lot of money. To be fair, we are talking about biscuit tins from the 1940s and 1950s. But who knows, maybe you or someone in your family still has an old drum in the attic. Who would have thought that one-day-old biscuit tins could be worth serious money? Reyne Hirsch, an appraiser for PBS Antiques Roadshow, claims that a 1950s biscuit jar sold for a whopping $1200 in 2018. According to Hirsch, jars in the style of a famous cartoon character can fetch even more. For example, a Little Audrey biscuit jar sold for $3400 on a second-hand marketplace in 2019. What a lot of money.
Old CDs – Up to $12134.19
Most people have grown up with old CDs. But most young people may not even know about them. So crazy that CDs are now old fossils in the music world. Although this may be sad, fortunately for everyone who loves music, these tracks are still worth a lot of money! You have just become rich if you have one of the following CDs lying around somewhere in your house. Michael Jackson’s 1993 signature track and Coldplay’s 1998 protection EP are reportedly worth nearly $1,500 these days. Paris Hilton’s 2006 album, “Paris,” replaced by Banksy with a redesigned cover and an added mash-up with DJ Dangermouse, is listed on a second-hand marketplace for roughly $12134.19. You can always ask what your CDs are worth now.
Cuckoo clocks – up to $2000
It is a clock from the past, but there are certainly many people who still have these cuckoo clocks hanging in their living room or have kept them. After all, is there a better way to find out the time than being sung to by a sweet melody with a little bird that pops out of a wooden hole? Probably not. Cuckoo clocks are among the most nostalgic household items. For all those lucky owners, these unique clocks are now in high demand. As of August 25, 2019, cuckoo clocks have been selling for up to $2,000 on a second-hand marketplace. So you can always check if yours is worth something too.
American Girl dolls – up to $5000
The American Girl dolls were first released in 1986, and you’d be surprised what some of them are worth now. The original 1986 American Girl dolls are now a sought-after collector’s item. The Samantha doll was sold on a second-hand marketplace for $4200, while a Molly doll in perfect condition was listed for $5000. Other models such as Kirsten Larson are also incredibly valuable. This of course includes her outfits and accessories, but other dolls have been known to go for over $2800. Even dolls out of their original packaging can be listed for hundreds of dollars, which is a nice little profit on their original price.
Apple iPod 1st generation – up to $15999
Despite being relatively new, the original Apple products designed by Steve Jobs are now worth a lot of money. Many people buy a new music player, phone, etc. once every few years. But often the older products are kept, especially since they are not very old. In July 2019, a seller on a second-hand marketplace sold an Apple iPod for almost $2200. Suddenly, the next month, many other new or successful versions of the first generation were listed for $15999. So before you decide to throw away old Apple electronics, take a look at what they are selling for.
Old canning jars – up to $1000
These canning jars are used in thousands of households and restaurants as a stylish replacement for cups. Although these jars are commonplace and inexpensive nowadays, things were different in the past. Today, many canning jars can be purchased for less than $15. However, there are a few that can be worth a fortune. A rare Willoughby Stopple jar can sell for $500, while an upside-down Ball Mason Jar made between 1900 and 1910 is valued at around $1,000. So, if you use the Mason Jars your grandmother left you, check their value now!
CorningWare scales – up to $10000
The CorningWare dinnerware that someone uses can be worth thousands of dollars right now. Such tableware with rare patterns like Floral Bouquet (made from 1871 to 1875) or Wildflower pattern (made from 1977 to 1984) is now selling for an incredible $10000. Even the most common ones with blue floral patterns can fetch a lot of money. This is of course a very specific kind of tableware, but who knows, maybe other old tableware you still have is also worth a lot of money, you can always ask. So look in your pantry now!
Polly Pocket toys – up to $1900
This expensive toy became a favorite with children in the 1990s, and today you can sell it for a fair price. Like most things on this list, Polly Pocket toys have found their way to a second-hand marketplace, where they have been introduced as a pricey collector’s item. In August 2019, full sets of Polly Pocket toys were priced at around $1900. Even Polly Pocket accessories are now valuable too. Someone sold a Polly Pocket pencil case in July 2019 for $810 on a second-hand marketplace.
Silverware – up to $17500
Many women, past and present, love to collect beautiful silverware such as spoons, knives, and forks. No matter how absurd some men think it is, no one can stop them. And who says it was just a waste of time? Women have just proved once again that mothers know best. Maybe you too have someone in your family who collected silverware. You never know how much it might be worth. To give you an example, an 84-piece Tiffany service from 1905 goes for $4975 on a second-hand marketplace. If that doesn’t surprise you, a silver cutlery set produced in 1927 was auctioned for $17500 in 2011. These are, of course, outlandish prices, so I’d say take a chance.
Vintage handbags – $3000
Women also love collecting beautiful handbags. Some women buy a new handbag every month. It is therefore not surprising that brand-name handbags sell for over $2000 when new. But did you know that they can also be worth a lot when they are years old? For example, a vintage Chanel bag in good condition can easily fetch around $3,000, and the one in poor condition can still fetch up to $400. So buying a nice handbag can also be seen as a good investment.
Pokémon cards – up to $500,000
Almost all children used to play with and collect Pokemon cards. Those who have thrown away or given away their cards will probably regret it from now on. Your collection from the past might be worth a fortune now. Of course, not every Pokemon card is worth the same amount, but today’s collectors are willing to pay a lot of money. For example, someone sold the 1999 first edition Charizard card for $12499.99 on June 5, 2019. That may sound like a lot, but a 2001 PSA 9 Mint card of the Tropical Wind Trophy was listed on a second-hand marketplace for an incredible $500,000. So there are several cards that could be worth a lot.
Vintage Perfume Bottles – up to $8500
It is of course important to remember that the inside of something or someone is often more important than the outside. This is not the case when it comes to old perfume bottles. Glass blowers turned perfume bottles into an art form in the 19th century. Today, these bottles are worth a lot of money. Interestingly, old perfume bottles are even worth tons of money today. Perfume bottles from the 1900s were sold on a second-hand marketplace in 2019 for almost $4000, and century-old bottles are listed as high as $8500. If you have these beautiful perfume bottles or know someone who has them, find out how much they are worth.
Vintage Cartoon Heroes – Up to $3.2 Million
Comic book heroes were once, and still are, an essential part of books and films. Do you remember all those comic books you collected like crazy as a child? Maybe you still have a pile of old comic books lying around, covered in dust. But we recommend you get them valued because they could be worth a lot now. Of course, the prices depend on the date and the number of copies. But to give you an idea, the first comic book of the Incredible Hulk was auctioned in 2014 for $320,000, while an Action Comics No. 1 from 1938 is reportedly worth $3.2 million. Almost unthinkable, right?
Lunch boxes – Up to $13000
Are you still holding on to your old bread bin? Then you’re in luck because they can now fetch you a lot of money! Fox News has stated that the 1963 Jetsons lunchbox costs somewhere between $1000 and $1650, while the 1962 Dudley Do-Right lunchbox has sold for over $2200. More surprisingly, lunchbox museum owner Allen Woodall claims that the 1954 Superman lunchbox is valued at $13000. Of course, these are the older lunchboxes we are talking about, but there is always a chance that you still have them. So do you have an old lunchbox? Get it out and check its value online.
Air Jordans – up to $18257
Air Jordans are definitely an item you think back on with a bit of nostalgia. If you had these, you were often the coolest in the schoolyard. In the past, but also now a days, the Air Jordans are indispensable in the trainer world. Do you happen to have kept your old Air Jordans, then it is time to take them out of the box. If you have been storing your old Air Jordans in the closet, you are probably making a big mistake. One online buyer paid more than $18257 for a pair of Jordan 11 shoes with Derek Jeter’s styling. Other models even sell for more than $2000. So what are you waiting for?
Pez Dispensers – up to $32205
Although these toys are made to this day, there is just something about the older ones that attract collectors. Without you realizing it, these are worth much more than you think. Although there are millions of Pez machines in the world, some are rarer than others and can be worth thousands. The very first PEZ was released in 1927 in Vienna, Austria. And you probably didn’t know it yet, but these PEZ vending machines were made with the aim of convincing people to stop smoking. They even came up with the slogan: “Smoking prohibited, PEZs allowed”. And what will it be worth? In 2006, for example, the Astronaut B made for the 1982 World Expo was sold on a second-hand marketplace for $32,205.
Old magazines – up to $156000
You probably never thought about it before when you bought a magazine, but they can be worth a lot of money now. And have you been saving old magazines? Congratulations to those who like to hoard old magazines, as regular copies can fetch around $20 and the rare versions are now worth a fortune. In 2007, a copy of Beeton’s Christmas Annual 1887 sold for $156000. Old fashion magazines usually sell best, especially to designers who like to use them for inspiration. So I think it is time to dig through your collection and see how much money they can be worth.
Barbie dolls – up to $220000
There are still many children who play with the cute Barbie dolls, and more and more of them are available. Barbie dolls do not sound like something that would be worth a lot of money one day, but they are. This is because there are many collectors so the demand for certain dolls is high. An ordinary Midnight Tuxedo Barbie can be sold for about $1000, while the 1959 Blonde Barbie goes for a staggering $23999. Bettina Dorfman, the world’s biggest fan of Barbie dolls (as pictured above), owns more than 17,000 Barbie dolls worth $220000. Maybe you have a special Barbie doll that can make you rich.
Tiffany Lamps – Up to $1 Million+
The Tiffany lamp may seem out of place in the modern homes we see today, but it can bring you a lot of money. According to Invaluable, one of the world’s largest online marketplaces for antiques and fine arts, this old household item can fetch between $4000 and over $1 million. This is hard to believe. The most sought-after Tiffany lamps on today’s market are those with vibrantly colored and floral motifs. Moreover, even just the foundations of such light fittings can be worth a lot. But other types of lamps can also be worth a lot of money, so if you think you have something of value in your home, you can always ask.
VHS tapes – up to $1,499,999.99
We live in a digital and online world today, so many of us don’t even know or have ever seen the VHS tapes. Many have long forgotten their VHS collection as we now live in a world of online streaming. Still, you should check if someone around you owns these items, they are now worth a fortune. Old volumes 1, 2, and 3 of Walt Disney VHS tapes are being offered on a second-hand marketplace for a whopping $1,499,999.99. Moreover, films that were never put on DVD or digital, especially those that were considered controversial and therefore banned, sell for the highest price. So you can really get rich with these items.
Antique guitars – up to $2 Million
There is always someone in your neighborhood who is a music fanatic. And are you or is that person a guitar fan? Then this tip might be useful to you. If you have an old Fender or Gibson guitar, you could become rich overnight. A 1953 Fender Telecaster was valued at up to $10000 in 2002, and John Lennon’s Gibson J-160E Acoustic-Electric guitar sold in 2014 for more than $2 million, $2,266,970 to be exact. But ‘ordinary’ guitars can also be worth a lot of money now. The older the guitar the better, of course, guitars from the 1960s can certainly be had at auction for an excellent price, models from the previous decade are where the real money is.
Cute and curly Cabbage Patch dolls – up to $3000
If you’re looking for one of the longest-running doll franchises since the 1980s, you might be shocked at how much they actually cost these days. The cute and curvaceous Cabbage Patch Dolls’ popularity caused such a hype that even board games and much more were made from them. Record albums and even cartoons inspired by them were also made. Undoubtedly, it used to be one of the most iconic collectibles. So if you ever come across the old Cabbage Patch dolls, definitely don’t throw them away, because they can bring you serious money now. A 1985 James Dudley Cabbage Patch doll goes for $3000 on a second-hand marketplace, and a 1981 Blonde Girl Little People doll is listed for $2000.