Top 13+ “Cheap” Things from Your Childhood Now Worth Thousands

Well, wouldn’t you know it – all those “worthless” toys and comics our parents told us to throw away are now worth a small fortune! Looking back at the treasures we played with, traded, or (gulp) tossed in the trash, it’s amazing to see how their value has skyrocketed. Let’s take a walk down memory lane and look at some childhood items that might have made us accidental millionaires – if only we’d kept them in mint condition!

1. Original Barbie Dolls (1959-1964)

That first Barbie in the black-and-white striped swimsuit that cost $3 in 1959? If you kept it in pristine condition with the original box, you could be looking at up to $27,000 today. The rarest versions, like the original Blonde Ponytail Barbie #1 or the 1964 Swirl Ponytail Barbie in mint condition, have sold for over $35,000 at auction.

2. First Issue Superman Comic (1938)

Originally sold for just 10 cents, Action Comics #1 featuring Superman’s debut is now the holy grail of comic collecting. A pristine copy sold for $3.2 million in 2014. Even badly worn copies can fetch hundreds of thousands of dollars today, making those dimes we spent at the corner store look like quite the investment.

3. Star Wars Action Figures (1977-1985)

Those $2.99 action figures from the original Star Wars trilogy are now worth serious money. A rare rocket-firing Boba Fett prototype from 1979 sold for $185,850 in 2019. Even common figures in their original packaging can fetch thousands, with complete sets of the original line selling for over $25,000.

4. Hot Wheels First Edition Cars (1968)

The original Hot Wheels cars cost just 59 cents in 1968. Today, the rare pink 1969 Volkswagen Beach Bomb prototype has been valued at $175,000. Even regular production models from the first few years, especially in unopened packages, can sell for thousands of dollars each.

5. Original G.I. Joe Action Figures (1964)

The original G.I. Joe action figures that sold for $4 are now commanding prices upward of $10,000 for rare versions in mint condition with original packaging. The 1964 G.I. Joe Marine Corps Deep Sea Diver is particularly valuable, with pristine examples selling for over $17,000.

6. PEZ Dispensers (1950s-1960s)

Those little candy dispensers that cost pennies can now be worth thousands. The 1982 World’s Fair Space Gun PEZ dispenser has sold for over $32,000. Even regular dispensers from the 1950s and 1960s can fetch hundreds or thousands of dollars, especially if they’re still in their original packaging.

7. Beatles Memorabilia (1960s)

Those Beatles lunch boxes, trading cards, and albums we cherished as kids have become valuable collectibles. Original sealed copies of “Yesterday and Today” with the recalled “butcher cover” can sell for over $125,000. Even common items like original concert programs or fan club merchandise can fetch thousands.

8. Vintage Lunch Boxes (1950s-1960s)

Those metal lunch boxes we carried to school are now sought-after collectibles. A 1954 Superman lunch box recently sold for $11,500. Other rare examples, like the 1963 Isolation Booth box inspired by the TV quiz show, can command prices over $15,000.

9. Pokemon Cards (1990s)

While slightly later than our childhood, many of us had kids who collected these. First-edition cards from 1999, especially the Charizard, can sell for astronomical amounts. A pristine first-edition Charizard sold for $420,000 in 2022, making those $4 booster packs quite the investment.

10. Original Monopoly Games (1935)

Original hand-made Monopoly sets from the 1930s, before Parker Brothers acquired the rights, have sold for over $140,000. Even mass-produced sets from the 1930s and 1940s can be worth several thousand dollars if they’re in good condition with all pieces intact.

11. Vintage Baseball Cards

Those nickel packs of baseball cards with stale gum could be worth a fortune today. A 1952 Mickey Mantle rookie card in mint condition sold for $12.6 million in 2022. Even common cards from the 1950s and 1960s can be worth hundreds or thousands if they’re in good condition.

12. Vintage Matchbox Cars (1953-1969)

Those little die-cast cars that cost less than a dollar are now highly sought after by collectors. The rare 1968 Matchbox Mercury Station Wagon in pink has sold for over $15,000. Early models from the 1950s, especially in their original boxes, can command prices ranging from $3,000 to $25,000, depending on condition and rarity.

13. Original Easy-Bake Ovens (1963)

The first turquoise Easy-Bake Oven that sold for $15.95 in 1963 can now fetch up to $4,000 if it’s in pristine condition with the original box and accessories. Even used models from the 1960s regularly sell for hundreds of dollars. The most valuable are complete sets with unused mixes and original recipe books.