Original 1959 Barbie - $27,450

For decades, Barbie has been the favorite toy of many children in just the United States but also some corners of the world. And it’s no shock. She originally retailed for just $3 back when she came out in 1959 and remains an affordable (and beautiful) toy.

However, some Barbies are more expensive than others. An original doll from 1959 can reportedly sell for $8K or as much as $27,450, like one mint condition Barbie sold at an auction in 2006. A first edition model of the doll has holes on the bottom of her feet and could sell for competitive prices today.

1927 World Series Ticket Stub - $41,825

Baseball has long been one of America’s favorite sports and obsessions. Some fans even collect baseball cards as a hobby. But there’s also a market for old ticket stubs from legendary games. For example, an untorn ticket from the 1927 World Series fetched $41,825 at a 2014 auction.

Pretty crazy if you think about it. That figure is over half of what Babe Ruth’s salary earnings that year he won the World Series with the New York Yankees. Even crazier is that same ticket retailed for a mere dollar back in the ‘20s.

1961–1962 New York Yankee Bobblehead - $59,750

Now that we’re on the topic of baseball, here’s another valuable piece of memorabilia that sold for an eye-popping price. This New York Yankee bobblehead nodder is one of two promotional bobbleheads that survive from the 1961 to 1962 era. As such, it managed to get $59,750 when it was sold off at an auction in 2015.

According to The Nodder Exchange’s John Brey, this adorable baseball player bobblehead is particularly valuable because it’s the most desirable one for the people in the hobby. That said, those with the money are willing to spend it for the rare object, which likely sold for just $1, even if they aren’t exactly Yankee fans.

1938 Action Comics No.1 Comic Book - $3.25 Million

What you’re looking at is the birthplace of one of the world’s most famous superheroes, Superman. This Action Comics No. 1 issue, dating from 1938, is where the Man of Steel was first introduced to readers on his way to international stardom. Sold for ten cents apiece, a copy of the seminal comic book fetched a record-setting price of $3.25 million in 2021.

The said artifact is one of the only 100 copies of the Action Comics that still exist. It was recovered in mint condition amid a stack of movie magazines from the ‘30s and is now owned by an anonymous collector as an investment.

1856 British Guiana One-Cent Magenta Stamp - $8.3 Million

You probably already know how valuable some stamps can be for collectors. But you’d still be shocked to find out that this small piece of history was sold for $8.3 million in 2021. And while that’s a lot of dough, the British Guiana one-cent magenta stamp from 1856 actually fetched $9.5 million at the auction before that.

Not bad for a stamp originally worth just a cent, huh? Even more impressive, though, is its colorful history. First owned by a Scottish youth, who found it among his family’s letters, the artifact has passed hands from the Germans to the French and even American heir John Du Pont.

Macallan Whiskey 1926 - $1.1 Million

We’ve heard of expensive wines and spirits before, but we’ve never heard about any that’s expensive enough to be worth a deluxe house. That is until we learned about the Macallan 1926 vintage whiskey. Made in a rare year, one of the 40 bottles ever made sold for $1.1 million in 2018.

The said bottle is reportedly among the ones given to the English artist Peter Blake. The particular batch of whiskey this Macallan belonged to is believed to be sent as gifts instead of being sold. But a bottle of 1928 Macallan originally retailed for the equivalent of $69 in British pounds in the ‘80s.

2018–2019 Luka Doncic Basketball Card - $4.6 Million

In March 2021, a 2018–2019 Luka Doncic basketball card was sold for the mind-boggling price of $4.6 million. A huge step up from its $10 original retail price. But why has it become so valuable within just a few years of its release? Well, for starters, this 2018–19 card is part of the National Treasures, which is the absolute premium.

It’s also a signed copy bringing its value up even higher. Then, there’s the fact that it marked the first time Doncic appeared on a card. And seeing the NBA star’s excellent performance with the Dallas Mavericks today putting dough on his memorabilia might be a good long-term investment strategy.

Birds Of America First Edition Copy 1827 - $9.65 Million

Birds Of America, which features an illustrated collection of over a thousand avian species, is one of the most celebrated natural history books ever. Produced between 1827 and 1837, copies of the work by John James Audobon are highly prized today. A case in point is the first edition copy that sold for $9.65 million at Christie’s in 2018.

The original set of illustrations cost $1K in the 19th century. Only 13 complete copies are believed to be owned privately today. This 1827 copy sold at the Christie’s auction was once in the possession of naturist Carl W. Knobloch Jr., who passed away in 2016.

The White Album First Pressing 1968 - $790K

The Beatles are among the biggest musicians who ever lived. So, it comes as no surprise that memorabilia related to its members and music fetch high prices even today. For example, a copy of The White Album fetched $790K in 2015. If it was bought in 1968, the vinyl record would’ve only cost a fan around $11.98. But this particular copy is special.

Marked “no.0000001”, the record was drummer Ringo Starr’s personal copy. What’s more, it was revealed that it was the first pressing of the celebrated double album. To a dedicated fan, it’s definitely a holy grail kind of collectible.

G.I. Joe Action Figure Prototype 1963 - $200K

Dubbed the world’s first-ever action figure, the G.I. Joe toys of the ‘60s were a staple in many a boy’s playtimes. These days, a piece of the original American soldier could make those same kids rich. In 2003, a G.I. prototype was actually sold for $200K.

To show you just how valuable the toy has become, the action figures retailed for just $4 when they first hit the scene. The said prototype never hit the shelves, though. It was made by hand and served as the model that manufactured versions were based on.

McGwire’s 70th Home Run Baseball 1998 - $3 Million

The year 1998 may only be a little over two decades ago, but sports memorabilia from the era are now quite valued. Take the baseball the St. Louis Cardinals’ Mark McGwire hit to mark his then record-breaking 70th home run. It was auctioned for $3 million and bought by comic book artist Todd McFarlane.

And though it’s been devalued over the years, that small piece of baseball history could still fetch up to $300K as per experts’ estimates. Standard balls are reportedly sold for $15, meaning McGwire’s home run ball is still much more expensive than its original value.

1927 Metropolis Movie Poster - $1.2 Million

Here’s something for the film buffs! Metropolis, a seminal movie in the sci-fi and dystopian genres, is still seen today by many critics as a silent-era masterpiece. That said, items related to the 1927 Fritz Land-directed feature continue to be sought after by collectors.

In 2012, a rare poster of Metropolis went to auction after being seized in a bankruptcy case. It was sold for $1.2 million and is believed to be one of the four only surviving copies of its kind. With movie posters being primarily used for advertising, the million-dollar Metropolis poster might not have been sold but given to a theater for free.

Princess Diana Beanie Baby 1997 - $10K

The tragic 1997 death of Princess Diana shocked and saddened the world. With people across continents mourning her passing, Ty Inc. decided to develop a Beanie Baby to benefit The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund. It was made in a deep shade of purple; it was a touching tribute to the late royal.

Originally selling for $5 to $7, the special edition bear can sell for thousands of dollars these days. One was actually sold for $10K online in 2019. However, many of the Princess Diana Beanie Babies aren’t as valuable, with most of them going for lower prices like $15.65 on bidding websites.

1987 Stadium Events Nintendo Game - $41,300

Games for the Nintendo gaming systems don’t really come dirt cheap, even during the ‘80s. According to people of the era, NES ones typically cost around $24.99–$49.99 then. It’s a different story today, though. With the Japanese gaming giant still being popular today, some of its vintage games are going for much more than their original price tags.

Take the game Stadium Events, for example. A copy of it sold for $41,300 on eBay in 2010. The Bandai-made video game reportedly only has 200 copies floating around, making it a desirable piece for vintage game collectors.

1992 Beauty and the Beast Black Diamond VHS - $25K

VHS tapes, while once the go-to video format, are virtually no longer used today. But some copies of that video technology of yore are still valuable. A quick search on bidding websites showed us that Disney tapes, especially those from the Black Diamond collection, are listed for thousands of dollars.

A copy of Beauty And The Beast from 1992 was even going for as much as $25K. Some of the listed items still showed their original price tag showing that they only cost $24.99. Of course, it’s a different topic if these tapes can be sold at their present high prices, given how many of them are in the market.

1954 Superman Lunch Box - $19,250

According to History, the Superman metal lunch box from 1954 is the most valuable collectible of its kind. That means that a mint condition specimen can fetch as much as $13K when sold today. One has actually sold for $19,250 at an auction, as the website Antique Trader reported. Similar items retailed for just $6 in the ‘50s.

So, what makes a lunch box of the Man of Steel fighting a giant robot so valuable? Well, its rarity and old age are definitely factors. Value goes up even more when an item is kept in pristine shape, although demand for such collectibles has toned down over time.

1951 Vincent Black Lightning Motorcycle - $929K

The Vincent Black Lightning is aptly named. In 1953, an original version of the two-wheel ride set an Australian record after being ridden at an average (lightning fast) speed of 141.5 miles per hour. That said, it’s no surprise that a Vincent Black Lightning motorcycle made history again decades later.

One of the only 30 vehicles ever made went to auction in 2018 and fetched a record-setting price of $929K. The 1951-made ride was sold at the Rio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas and beat the previous record of $825,500. Vincent Black Lightnings were reportedly originally sold for £501 ($694).

1988 McDonald’s Mulan Szechuan Sauce - $14,700

McDonald’s Szechuan Sauce is the stuff of legends. First sold for a brief time in 1998 to accompany the release of the Disney blockbuster Mulan, it still intrigues people to this day. The condiment came free with the fast-food restaurant’s Happy Meal and is an homage to the traditional sauce found in Chinese cuisine.

In 2017, a 20-year-old packet of the sauce was sold for $14,700 after it was mentioned in the popular animated show Rick And Morty. McDonald’s decided to bring back the Szechuan sauce temporarily due to popular demand. As of 2020, the sweet and sour stuff is only available in New Zealand.

1880s Levi’s Jeans - $46K

Now, here’s a pair of jeans that were literally built to last! In 2001, Levi’s bought back one of its denim creations for $46K. The garment was made sometime in the 1880s and was originally sold for just a dollar.

At the time, a representative from the American clothing company revealed that they acquired the jeans to use as a template for a vintage collection. We definitely see why they went that route. When the pants were found in the mud at an old Nevada mining town, it was in relatively good condition and still wearable.

1905 Steiff Teddy Girl - $171,600

Think you’ve seen much cuter bears than this Steiff Teddy Girl? You’re probably right. But what makes this one special is its rich history. It broke a world record in 1994 when Christie’s sold it to Yoshihiro Sekiguchi, a Japanese businessman, for $171,600.

It dates back to 1905 when teddy bears were still relatively new and belonged to Colonel Bob Henderson. He originally got the plush toy as a boy and kept it with him throughout his life, including when he landed on the D-Day beaches. He only parted with the Steiff bear upon his death in 1990.

2010s Coca-Cola Factory Error Soda Can - $250K

Drinking Coke isn’t really the best thing for your health, but it might do your pockets good. That is if you happen to find one of those rare factory error soda cans like this one. Although unopened, the fizzy drink came surprisingly empty, leading its finder to list it for sale as a novelty.

According to a Buzzfeed article from 2014, the one-of-a-kind soda container had a $250K price tag at an online auction site. That’s an eye-popping amount considering that a regular can of Coca-Cola would retail at $1 or $2 on average.

1945 Romanée-Conti - $558K

Speaking of expensive drinks, let’s talk about a $558K bottle of Romanée-Conti wine. Expensive even by the brand’s standards, which meant that regular bottles are sold for $20K, the burgundy from 1945 is considered by some as the rarest wine in the world and even dubbed as a “unicorn wine.”

It all comes down to 1945’s particular weather. Although an overall hot year, the coming of hail and frost reduced the production of wine. In the end, only 600 bottles of Romanée-Conti were made, with most of them being consumed in the year that followed. Thus, only a few are left today, and collectors are keen to pay good money for them.

1794 Flowing Hair Silver-Copper Dollar - $10 Million

Even with inflation, there’s no way a dollar in the 1790s would cost over $30 today. But one particular one-dollar coin managed to sell for a whopping $10 million in 2013. That piece of currency is the 1794 “Flowing Hair” silver-copper dollar. So, what makes it so special to warrant millions?

The coin, which features Lady Liberty on one side and an eagle on the other, was among the 1,758 created by the Philadelphia Mint. It was never meant to be used by the American public and was instead given away to dignitaries as a souvenir.

Abu Dhabi License Plate Number 1 - $14.3 Million

While it’s vehicles that are typically used as status symbols, it’s car plates that fetch millions in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). And in its capital of Abu Dhabi, the ones with the lower numbers tend to be sold for sky-high prices. A case in point is a plate bearing the number “1” that was auctioned for $14.3 million in 2009.

It’s unknown exactly how old the plate is. But it can be assumed that it can be traced back to the early ‘70s when the UAE became a nation and the government agency overseeing transportation likely first came to be.

1909 Honus Wagner Baseball Card - $3.7 Million

It looks like rare baseball cards are truly one of the best investments a person can make. Take a baseball card from 1909 that features the Pittsburgh Pirates, for example. Once valued at just $50 in the ‘30s, it sold for $3.7 million in 2020.

Dubbed the holy grail of baseball cards, it is believed to be one of the only 60 of its kind that’s ever been made. Of course, there’s also the fact that the card is now over a century old, further adding to its value as a collectible.

1933 Zippo Lighter - $18K

Smoking cigarettes is no longer as in vogue as it once was. But lighters, especially vintage ones, are still considered cool in many circles. A case in point is a Zippo lighter that dates back to 1933. The impressive piece, which was reportedly in mint condition, was sold for $18K in 2003.

While not as high as the other prices we’ve seen so far, that five-figure sum is still a huge step up from its original value. According to the Zippo website, the pocket lighters retailed for $1.95 each and came with an unconditional lifetime guarantee.

1998 Pikachu Illustrator Pokemon Card - $54,970

Dubbed as the rarest Pokémon card globally, the Pikachu Illustrator made waves in 2016 when it fetched $54,970 in 2016. The hologram trading card was originally made in the late ‘90s and is among those given away to winners of an illustration competition.

The valuable card aptly features the popular Pokémon Pikachu with drawing materials. GeekWire reports that only 20–39 copies of the elusive card exist. However, a mere ten of those have been graded in top condition, and it looks like this one is among the few. At present, it remains unknown how many Illustrator cards are in the possession of the public.

‘80s Golden Lego Brick - $19,793

It’s not hard to see why this unique Lego brick from the ‘80s is valuable. It’s literally a block of gold! The piece is one of the special bricks given by the Danish toy company between 1979 and 1981 to its employees who had worked 25 years for Lego.

This particular one belonged to the uncle of an Italian business partner who is credited for helping the company enter Italy in 1980. But in 2017, the 14-karat brick transferred hands to an American collector who paid $19,793 to acquire it. Weighing less than a tenth of a pound, it’s about the same size as a regular Lego block.

1982 World’s Fair Edition Pez Dispenser - $32,205

Pez is definitely a one-of-a-kind candy. Originally meant to help people cut down on smoking, the sweet treat and dispenser combo became a favorite for many people, even non-smokers. What’s more, the product’s fun designs turned it into a collectible.

That’s how a World’s Fair edition Pez dispenser from 1982 managed to sell for $32,205 despite regular ones being sold for just $1.99. The said product is one of the only two that are believed to exist. The vintage dispenser, which features an astronaut design, was created specifically to mark the World’s Fair in Knoxville, Tennessee.

1978 Darth Vader Action Figure - $55K

Darth Vader may be the villain everyone loves to hate, but he’s still very much in demand, especially within Star Wars memorabilia collectors’ circles. Take this ‘70s era action figure, for one. It retailed for around $10 when Kenner first sold it, but its value shot up to $55K in 2018.

The plastic toy was bought alongside one of Obi-Wan Kenobi for a total of $100K. What makes them special is that they came with the original telescoping lightsabers that Kenner later phased out. Of course, the former seemed more appealing to fans, and the items became rare collectibles.

1985 Teresa Ann Cabbage Patch Doll - $2K

Remember those Cabbage Patch dolls you played with as a kid? Yeah, you should’ve kept all of them. Had your mom bought the good ones, your childhood toys could make you a quick buck these days. Retailing for $30 in stores, some versions of the doll, like Teresa Ann have commanded thousands of dollars in the resale market.

The dimpled toy from 1985 was particularly valuable thanks to the Xavier Roberts signature she bore on her bottom. She also came with her birth certificate, which experts say contributed to her price. Memorabilia with all its original components intact often sell for more; remember that!

The Great Gatsby First Edition Copy 1925 - $400K

Speaking of original components. Did you know that old books having their dust jacket add a ton of value to a copy? For example, a first edition of The Great Gatsby novel is potentially worth $400K as per Sotheby’s estimates. But that price could just as easily drop to $8K if it’s missing its jacket.

Copies of the F. Scott Fitzgerald masterpiece have been sold for prices of up to $194K in the past. An impressive markup from the $2 retail price during its release in 1925. So, what makes The Great Gatsby such a valuable collector’s item? According to expert Charlie Jones, it’s all about “rarity, cover art and story.”

1993 Black Lotus Magic: The Gathering Card - $511,100

If you’ve played the popular card game Magic: The Gathering, then you’d know that not all cards are created equal. And perhaps nothing is as valuable as the Black Lotus card both in and out of the game. It’s prized for allowing players to cast powerful spells and for being hard to find because of its limited printing run.

So, it’s no surprise that a Black Lotus card, which reportedly cost $25 in the ‘90s, was sold for $511,100 in 2021. The collectible notably bears the signature of its artist Christopher Rush, who sadly passed on in 2016.

‘70s Era Dunes Casino Card Decks - $2,500

Now that we’re on the topic of cards let’s move on and talk about the card decks the now-defunct Dunes Hotel and Casino once gave away for free to its high rollers. Once a popular hotel resort in Las Vegas, the desert-themed establishment was demolished in 1993 after an almost four-decade run.

Since then, fans have been on the hunt for the old card decks that now serve as memorabilia of a time gone by. In 2018, decks of blue and red casino cards were sold online for a total of $2,500. The seller identified them as sealed packs from the ‘70s.

1985 Garbage Pail Kids Nasty Nick #1A - $7,856

Life is truly ironic, isn’t it? Although it was the Cabbage Patch Kids that ruled the early ‘80s, its spoof version, Garbage Pail Kids, tends to sell for more compared to the once-in-demand dolls these days. Take this Nasty Nick card from 1985, for example.

The first of its series, it sold for $7,856 on eBay, making it the most valuable Garbage Pail Kids card, according to the website Cheapism. While that may not seem like a lot of dough to some, it still beats the item’s original retail price of 25 cents (per pack of five).

2019 Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime Watch - $31 Million

Calling the Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime a luxury watch feels like a huge understatement. Looking like memorabilia from a century gone by, it was manufactured in 2019 specifically created to benefit a charitable cause. The only item created was then sold for a whopping $31 million, beating the previous wristwatch record by millions.

While relatively new, the Grandmaster Chime’s manufacturer has been in the game since 1839 and likely used old tried-and-tested techniques to craft it. That said, other Patek Philippe products don’t come cheap at all, with entry-level watches usually going for $19K or more a pop.

Inverted Jenny Stamp 1918 - $1.5 Million

Even stamp collectors have to admit how crazy things can sometimes get in the hobby. Just look at the prices people have paid for “Inverted Jenny” stamps before. Made in the early 20th century, the stamps are distinctive because of the inverted Curtiss JN-4 airplane mistakenly printed on the 100 or so existing copies.

Valued at 24 cents in 1918, Inverted Jennys found in the wild, later on, fetched sky-high prices at auctions. According to Fox 2 Detroit, one was even sold for $1.5 million, with many others having six-figure price tags. Last we heard, one collector managed to get $215K for theirs in 2020.

1952 Mickey Mantle Baseball Card - $5.2 Million

Sometimes, investing in baseball cards has a better payoff than investing in stocks. And the ever-rising value of this Mickey Mantle baseball card from 1952 proves that. Sold for $2.88 million in 2018, it went on sale again early in 2021 and fetched a record-breaking $5.2 million. Not bad for something that initially cost $1, huh?

The card, which Topps made, is believed to be one of the only six in existence. It was bought by Billionaire Boys Club actor Rob Gough, who said that it was his childhood dream to own the rare artifact.

1961 Post Ten Variety Pack Cereal Pack - $2,550

Now, here’s a collectible that’s pretty unique even by this list’s standards. Who knew some people were willing to pay good money for vintage cereals? A good example is the person who paid $2,550 for an unopened package of Post Ten variety pack cereal that reportedly dates back to 1961.

To give you an idea of how amazing that price markup is, know that a box of regular cereal was sold for around 28 cents in the ‘60s. We reckon a lot of nostalgia was at play during the making of that decision. A healthy dose of reminiscing never hurt anyone, right?

Late ‘30s Apache Export Beer With Cone Top - $28K

Drinking alcohol is not the only hobby people participate in. Collecting unique beers is also a pastime for many. And why not? There’s plenty of cool drinks from the past that people today missed out on, this Apache Export Beer included.

Made by the Arizona Brewing Co., this particular can of beer dates back to the ‘30s. It distinctly features a cone top, making it look more like a grenade than a brewing container! One of these is listed for $28K on the website Breweriana. While we can’t find information on its original price, we reckon that the current five-figure sale price is much higher.

1947 World Jamboree French Maitresse Patch - $71K

Scouting is a fantastic activity millions of youth around the world take part in. And as it turns out, some adults have made a hobby out of collecting scout patches. One sought-after collectible in those circles is this French Maitresse Patch, which was produced for the World Jamboree in 1947.

According to the blog Scout Patch Collectors, one such patch went on auction online and sold for $71K. That’s certainly an impressive markup for something that was likely free! The listing for the item explained why the patch was that valuable, saying there were only 98 of them made.

1959 Pyrex Casserole Dish - $4K

Got some old Pyrex dishes from your grandma? Then you might be sitting on a gold mine! Certain pieces from the popular glassware brand have become more valuable over the years. The Lucky In Love design from 1959, for example, is so sought after, people would pay up to $4K to get their hands on dishes from the vintage collection.

Dubbed as the holy grail of Pyrex, the clovers and hearts pattern probably retailed for only $5.95 when it first came out. Fans need not scour the Internet for it, though. In 2018, it was announced that Lucky In Love would be reissued for a limited time for St. Patrick’s Day.

1971 Hidden Mickey Pin - $12K

As it turns out, enjoying rides and taking photos with cast members aren’t the only fun things you can do at Disney parks. There’s also this discrete activity that allows staff to trade rare pins with guests. This Hidden Mickey pin, believed to be from 1971, is one of those unique finds.

According to some sources, this is one of the only five that exists. So, it’s no wonder someone paid $12K to have it in their collection in 2018. While we can’t find details about how much the item originally cost, it’s worth noting that a bag of Hidden Disney mystery pins was going for just $12.99 in 2020.

1894-S Barber Coin - $1.99 Million

The 1894-S Barber dime is one of the “Big Three” of American coin rarities. Only 24 Barber dimes were minted, and of that, only nine are of the 1894-S variety making this ten-cent coin all the more valuable. So valuable, in fact, that an anonymous collector splurged $1.99 million for it in 2016.

Sounds like a lot, huh? Well, the fact this artifact is among the finest ones of its kind certainly contributed to that price tag. The good news, though, is that some experts believe that there are still some 1894-S dimes in circulation, and you could get a $10K paycheck just by having one examined.

1927 Charles Lindbergh Matchbook - $6K

With the invention of lighters, you’d think people would’ve turned their backs against matches. But no. Many still prefer striking a matchstick today and even go out of their way to collect packs of vintage brands. Take Californian Kevin Saucier, for example.

In 2015, he reportedly paid $6K to get his hands on a Charles Lindbergh matchbook from 1927. And here’s the catch: the matchbook was already missing a couple of sticks. The item was among the only 200 created and handed to guests at a dinner celebration honoring the American aviator in New York.

‘50s Era Loveless Delaware Maid Knife - $20,500

Just as some people buy art specifically created by one artist, some collect knives from prestigious blade makers. One of those is the late Bob Loveless, who became known for his well-crafted drop-point hunting knives. One such dagger is the Delaware Maid.

Once selling his blades for $14 through Abercrombie & Fitch, his works now go for thousands of dollars. This Delaware Maid knife, which reportedly dates back to the ‘50s, was even sold for $20,500, as reported by Cheapism. A quick eBay search shows that several Loveless daggers of the same variety are still being auctioned off today.

1986 American Girl Doll Samantha - $4,200

Even when they first entered the scene in the ‘80s, American Girl dolls didn’t really come cheap. Including the accessories and the accompanying book, the 18-inch toys cost $100 upon release. But they’ve become even pricier these days, particularly the original dolls.

According to an AOL article, a Samantha Parkington doll from 1986 was going for $4,200 in 2017. That hefty price tag includes the brunette girl’s clothes, school desk, and bedroom set. Sam became sought-after over the years since she has been archived along with the two other original American Girl dolls.

‘80s Era Masters of the Universe Eternia Playset - $3K

If you were a kid in the ‘80s, then you probably didn’t escape the He-Man craze of the era. And if you were one of the superhero’s biggest fans, we bet you have an old box of Masters of the Universe-related toys. A word to the wise: don’t throw those out just yet!

Once going for $10 to $25, He-Man toys are going for much more these days. A Masters Of The Universe Eternia Playset, in its original box and mint condition, can easily sell for $3K, according to the Comic Book Resources website.

Xero Cassette Tape 1997 - $4,500

Linkin Park is among the most popular American rock bands of the late ‘90s and the ‘00s. But before they achieved worldwide fame, they were just a band of three high school friends making music together. One remnant of that past era of Linkin Park as Xero is a demo tape of the same name.

The cassette recording contains the band’s earliest known works and became a collectible among avid Linkin Park fans. A copy of the 1997 tape sold for $4,500 in 2020 when it was put on sale on Discogs. Pretty impressive, considering that cassettes cost about $10.98 in the ‘90s.

1985 Nike Air Jordan 1s - $560K

How much are you willing to pay for a good pair of shoes? Well, if you asked the person who bought Michael Jordan’s personal pair of Nike Air Jordan 1s, the answer would be $560K. They bought the sneakers in 2020 and came to own a nifty piece of basketball history in the process.

The pair, which likely cost just $65 originally, is the same one Jordan wore in a 1985 game and signed with a permanent marker after. The Nike Air Jordan 1s was designed specifically for the NBA legend and considered the first-ever signature sneakers.

New isn't always better. And these old but gold objects prove just that. Once selling for a couple of dollars or even cents, unique and rare items often become more valuable as time passes. Some have even sold for million-dollar price tags at auctions.

From old toys to old matchbooks, here's a list of things that have become sought-after collectibles today. So, if you have boxes of stuff from decades past up in your attic, it might be high time to rummage around. You never know what prized collectibles are hiding beneath all that dust!