Looking back at your childhood, do you ever wish you had held onto certain items? Maybe a toy, a book, or a collectible that seemed mundane at the time, but has since become a hot commodity? You wouldn’t be alone.
Based on trends, data, and research, there are a plethora of items from the past that have grown significantly in value over the years. Here are 14 childhood things that Boomers probably never anticipated would be worth so much today.
1. Vintage Lunchboxes
In the 1950s and 1960s, lunchboxes were a common item for school kids. These tin or metal containers often featured popular TV shows, movies, or characters of the time. Today, these vintage lunchboxes can fetch a pretty penny. A Beatles lunchbox from 1966, for instance, sold for $1,500 in 2006 according to Collectors Weekly.
While not all vintage lunchboxes will net you thousands, those in good condition and with popular themes can still be worth a fair amount. If you or your parents held onto your old lunchboxes, it might be worth checking their current value. Just remember, condition and rarity play a large role in their worth.
2. First Edition Books
If you’re a bookworm, you might have unknowingly amassed a fortune. First edition copies of certain books can be worth a lot of money. For example, a first printing of “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” sold for £56,000 ($73,000) at auction in 2019 according to CNN.
When assessing the value of your old books, pay close attention to the edition and the condition. First editions are usually the most valuable, especially if they’re in good condition. If you’ve got a library full of old books, it might be worth taking the time to check their editions and current market values.
3. Vintage Video Games
Remember when you used to spend hours playing Super Mario Bros. or The Legend of Zelda on your Nintendo? These old video games might be worth more than just nostalgic memories. For example, a sealed copy of “Super Mario Bros.” for the NES sold for $660,000 in 2021 as reported by Heritage Auctions.
To get top dollar for your vintage video games, they generally need to be in excellent condition or still sealed in their original packaging. However, even used games can be valuable if they’re rare or highly sought after. It’s worth checking the current market prices for any old video games you might still have stashed away.
4. Comic Books
Comic books have long been popular collectibles, but some are now worth a small fortune. For instance, a near-mint copy of “Action Comics #1,” featuring the first appearance of Superman, sold for $3.2 million on eBay in 2014.
As with other items on this list, condition is crucial when it comes to the value of comic books. Additionally, the significance of the issue (such as first appearances of characters) can greatly increase its worth. If you were a comic book fan as a child, it might be worth digging out your old collection to see if you have any valuable issues.
5. Vintage Toys
Remember playing with your Star Wars action figures, Barbie dolls, or Matchbox cars as a child? These toys might be worth a lot more than you think. For example, a 1978 Luke Skywalker action figure sold for $25,000 at auction in 2015 according to The Richest.
The value of vintage toys can vary greatly based on their condition, rarity, and the demand for them. If you’ve kept your childhood toys in good condition, especially if they’re still in their original packaging, they could be worth a significant amount. It’s worth researching current market prices to see if any of your old toys might be valuable.
6. Trading Cards
Whether it was baseball cards, Pokemon cards, or Magic: The Gathering, many of us collected trading cards as kids. Some of these cards, especially rare ones or those in excellent condition, can be worth a lot of money today. For instance, a 1952 Mickey Mantle baseball card sold for $2.88 million at auction in 2018 according to ESPN.
If you’ve held onto your old trading cards, it might be worth having them appraised. Keep in mind that condition and rarity are key factors in determining their value. Even if you don’t have any super rare cards, you might still have a few that are worth more than you’d expect.
7. Vintage Advertising Signs
Old advertising signs, especially those made of porcelain or metal, can be quite valuable. These signs were commonly used in the 1950s and 60s to advertise products such as Coca-Cola, gasoline, and beer. Today, they’re highly sought after by collectors. For example, a porcelain Coca-Cola sign from the 1930s sold for $5,400 at auction in 2015 according to Antiques Roadshow.
If you or your parents have any old advertising signs stashed away in the garage or attic, it might be worth having them appraised. Just keep in mind that condition, rarity, and demand are all factors that can impact their value.
8. Vintage Concert Posters
If you attended a lot of concerts in your youth, you might have a goldmine on your hands. Vintage concert posters, especially those from notable bands or events, can be quite valuable. For instance, a poster from The Beatles’ 1966 Shea Stadium concert sold for $137,500 in 2004 according to Heritage Auctions.
When determining the value of vintage concert posters, factors such as the band, the event, the condition of the poster, and its rarity all come into play. If you’ve held onto any old concert posters, it might be worth checking their current market values.
9. Vintage Clothing
Who knew your old bell bottoms or concert t-shirts might be worth something today? Vintage clothing, especially from iconic brands or worn at significant events, can fetch a good price. For example, a vintage Rolling Stones t-shirt from their 1972 tour sold for $13,000 in 2011 according to CNN.
The value of vintage clothing can depend on a variety of factors, including its age, condition, brand, and historical significance. Even if you don’t think your old clothes are particularly valuable, it might be worth checking out their potential worth.
10. Vinyl Records
With the resurgence of vinyl records, those old LPs you’ve got stored away could be worth a lot. Rare records or those in excellent condition can fetch a high price. For instance, a rare copy of The Beatles’ “White Album” owned by Ringo Starr sold for $790,000 in 2015.
The value of vinyl records can depend on a number of factors, including their condition, rarity, and the demand for them. If you’ve got a collection of old records gathering dust, it might be worth checking their current market values.
11. Polaroid Cameras
Remember snapping instant photos with your Polaroid camera? These vintage cameras are now sought after by collectors and can be quite valuable. For example, a vintage Polaroid SX-70 camera can sell for up to $400 according to Collectors Weekly.
The value of vintage Polaroid cameras can depend on factors like their condition, rarity, and the specific model. If you’ve got an old Polaroid camera stashed away, it might be worth checking its current market value.
12. Vintage Disney Memorabilia
If you visited Disneyland as a child and kept some of the memorabilia, you might be sitting on a goldmine. Vintage Disney memorabilia, especially items like original theme park maps or rare toys, can be worth a lot. For instance, an original Disneyland map from 1953 sold for $708,000 at auction in 2017 according to CNN.
When assessing the value of your vintage Disney memorabilia, keep in mind that rarity and condition are key factors. Items associated with significant events or milestones in Disney history can also be particularly valuable.
13. Postage Stamps
Perhaps you collected stamps as a child. If so, you might have a valuable collection on your hands. For example, a rare 1856 British Guiana 1c magenta stamp sold for $9.5 million in 2014 according to The Guardian.
Remember, rarity and condition are key when determining the value of stamps. If you’ve held onto your old stamp collection, it might be worth having it appraised.
14. Vintage Magazines
Old magazines, especially those featuring significant events or famous personalities, can be worth a surprising amount. For instance, a copy of Life magazine from 1969 featuring the Apollo 11 moon landing can sell for up to $200 according to Ephemera Society of America.
When determining the value of vintage magazines, factors such as their condition, the significance of the issue, and their rarity all come into play. If you’ve held onto any old magazines, it might be worth checking their current market values.
