Person sorting colorful vintage postage stamps on a table, magnifying glass nearby, blue-striped shirt visible

11 Once-Coveted Items That Are Now Practically Worthless

In our ever-changing world, items that were once highly sought after can quickly lose their appeal and value. Whether due to advancements in technology, shifts in fashion, or simply changing tastes, these items which were once treasures to many are now practically worthless. Here are 11 items that were once coveted but are now practically worthless.

1. VHS Tapes

Close-up of hands holding a VHS videocassette tape. The black plastic case displays a white label area in the center, positioned above a patterned carpet or rug with reddish tones
Image Credit: Катерина Санна/Pexels.

Remember when Friday nights meant a trip to your local video rental store to pick up the latest releases? VHS tapes were once the epitome of home entertainment, but with the advent of DVDs, streaming platforms, and digital downloads, they have now become practically worthless. While some rare tapes may still fetch a few dollars, the majority are destined for the landfill or recycling center.

2. Beanie Babies

Two Beanie Baby teddy bears sitting side-by-side - one purple with ribbon and one green, both with tags
Image Credit: anxiousvirtuoso/eBay.

Back in the 90s, Ty’s Beanie Babies were the hottest collectibles on the market, with some people even investing their life savings into them. However, the bubble eventually burst and these once-coveted stuffed animals are now often found at garage sales or thrift stores for pennies.

3. Encyclopedias

Person’s hand pulling a leather-bound encyclopedia volume from a bookshelf filled with matching maroon and gold reference books
Image Credit: Yaroslav Shuraev / Pexels

Before the internet, encyclopedias were the go-to source for information. However, with the advent of online resources like Wikipedia, these hefty book sets have become practically obsolete. While they may hold sentimental value for some, their monetary worth is minimal.

4. Hummel Figurines

Hummel Figurines
Image Credit: anaofcleves / Ebay

These cute, hand-painted figurines were once highly sought after by collectors. Today, however, they’re often found gathering dust in antique stores. With the younger generation showing little interest in them, their value has significantly declined.

5. Pogs

Rare Pogs and Slammers
image credit: Ebay.

Pogs were a popular schoolyard game in the 90s, but their popularity was short-lived. Today, they’re practically worthless, with most people having no idea what they are.

6. Old Cell Phones

Person navigating the settings menu on an old Nokia mobile phone
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Remember the excitement of getting your first Nokia or Motorola flip phone? While they may have been cutting-edge at the time, advances in technology have made these devices practically worthless.

7. CD Collections

Vintage point-and-shoot camera, film negatives, several compact discs on a brown surface, nostalgic photography and media theme
Image credit: Emine Canpolat/ Pexels.

With the rise of digital music platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, CDs have become practically obsolete. While some collectors may still value them, the average person will find little use for them.

8. Digital Cameras

Close-up of a DSLR camera on a tripod, screen displaying a group of people, hand adjusting camera, black and white image
Image credit: Md Iftekhar Uddin Emon/Pexels.

Digital cameras were once a must-have for capturing memories. Nowadays, however, most people simply use their smartphones for photography, making digital cameras practically worthless.

9. Postage Stamps

Explore a detailed view of vintage postage stamps through a magnifying glass, highlighting intricate designs
Image Credit: Pixabay/Pexels.

While some rare stamps may still hold value, the majority of stamps are practically worthless. The rise of digital communication means that fewer people are sending letters, leading to a decline in demand for stamps.

10. Furbies

Close-up of a Furby toy with glowing rainbow light reflections on its face and fur
Image credit: Vickie Intili/Pexels.

These furry toys were a must-have in the late 90s, but today they’re often found at the bottom of toy boxes. While they may bring back nostalgic memories for some, their monetary value is minimal.

11. Old Magazines

A fan arrangement of Arte Factum magazine issues, each labeled with a different number from 25 to 31, varying cover colors and images, upright on a white background
Image Credit: LouisCartier – CC BY-SA 4.0/Wiki Commons.

While old magazines may provide a fun glimpse into the past, they’re generally not worth much today. Unless you have a rare edition or one featuring a significant event, your old magazine collection is likely not worth much.