14 Valuable Collectibles You Might Have Lying Around the House

Do you have vintage toy collections from when you were a kid? Is your dining room filled with collectibles passed down from your grandmother?

These might seem like everyday items that are nothing more than nostalgic mementos of a bygone era, but one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. These items could be worth cash in the hands of the right buyer.

From first-edition books to family heirloom jewelry to baseball cards, these are the 15 valuable collectibles you could turn into extra cash .

1. Polly Pocket

Vintage toys are hit or miss, but one toy from the ‘90s that is currently in demand is the charming and tiny world of Polly Pocket. In each compact-size toy, you’ll have an entire scene, whether it’s a hospital or a pet shop. And, for some like new Polly Pockets, you could get over $100 if you list them for sale on eBay.

2. Silver flatware

Maybe you’ve had silver flatware passed down from your grandmother. But you never use it because who wants to handwash all those pieces? This is one of the collectibles in your home that could be worth the most.

Check the markings on your silver to confirm it’s silver and not silver plated, then get an estimate on pricing by checking out high-end resale websites like replacements.com.

3. Coins

It would make sense that coin collections are one of the more valuable collections you’d have lying around the house, but some coins are worth quite a bit more than face value. If you have a coin that is in high demand, like an original silver dollar, it could put extra cash into your pocket.

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4. Original Harry Potter books

If you have an original edition Harry Potter book, you might be sitting on a gold mine. A 1997 first-edition book could be worth between $30,000 and $55,000. That’s a number that will have you wondering just how much your attachment to your favorite book is worth.

5. Old magazines

A stack of old magazines might not seem like it’s worth much, but vintage magazines could sell for $5 to $20 per issue — and that’s for issues with no cultural significance. If you have an issue that is a first edition or covered a significant world event, you might be looking at thousands of dollars.

6. Gold jewelry

Even if your gold jewelry feels dated or old-fashioned, it could still be worth enough money to sell it to a jeweler. Most jewelers will buy gold jewelry because it can be melted down or sold to a refinery, and gold prices remain elevated.

7. Baseball cards

Baseball cards had a heyday in the last century, but they’re starting to regain popularity, and that’s driving their prices up. You can try selling your cards online or getting an idea of what they’re worth at sports memorabilia conventions. If you have a rare card, you might be able to fund your dream trip to the World Series.

8. Stamps

Much like coins, stamps were popular to collect in the last century, and many people have inherited a stamp collection from a parent or grandparent they’re not quite sure what to do with. While not all stamps increased in value, some particularly rare ones have. It’s best to go to an auction house that has experience in stamps to get an accurate estimate.

9. Bakelite jewelry

Plastic resin bakelite jewelry has an enthusiastic following and, while it may look like simple plastic jewelry, it can usually fetch prices of upwards of $50. That’s not a bad deal for jewelry that’s sitting in many vintage jewelry boxes.

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10. Pyrex

Pyrex bakeware is still made today, but people love the vibrant colors and nostalgic patterns of the old stuff. You can sell decades-old cookware for $50 or more, as long as it is still in pristine condition. Typically, the brighter colors command higher prices.

11. Vintage perfume bottles

You might think perfume is expensive, but did you know people will pay the big bucks for empty atomizer perfume bottles from the last century? The beautifully crafted bottles of the first half of the 1900s can fetch hundreds of dollars with collectors.

12. Video games

Skip taking your old video games to the local video game store to trade in. Instead, consider selling them to a collector. If you have vintage games from Nintendo, you might be able to sell them for hundreds of dollars on eBay.

13. Glassware

Vintage glassware is increasingly popular and, if you have depression glass or iridescent carnival glass, there’s probably a younger buyer eager to take it off your hands. Try selling it at a consignment store to find someone who’s looking to give their new home some nostalgic character.

14. Cassette tapes

Everything comes back around if you wait long enough, and even cassette tapes are now worth something. If you have a particularly popular release, you might be able to get hundreds or thousands of dollars for it. Then it’s on the seller to find somewhere they can play the tape…

Bottom line

These collectibles are only worth something if you sell them, but you need to know the right place to go for each item. EBay is typically a good place to sell vintage toys, while Etsy is great for vintage housewares, jewelry, and decor.

You may want to try a local antique dealer or even Facebook Marketplace for furniture or larger home goods, and look to an auction house if you have a niche item like stamps or coins, or if you have something that you believe could be worth significant money. Getting the most money means tapping into the right market.

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