These Retro Calculators Can Add Up To A Pretty Penny

These Retro Calculators Can Fetch Tens Of Thousands

There’s something deeply satisfying about vintage calculators—part engineering marvel, part design object, part nostalgia trip. Some are worth just a few hundred dollars, while others can fetch the price of a small car. Let’s count them down from the “affordable-but-fancy” to the jaw-dropping high-end treasures. 

Casio CFX-400 Calculator Watch: Wrist-Tech Cool ($250–$700)

Half analog watch, half micro-calculator, this flashy ‘80s Casio is a conversation starter anywhere you wear it. Featuring a fully functional calculator hidden in a sleek watch face, complete boxed examples often bring $250–$700, with pristine ones commanding a premium.

TI-59 + PC-100C Dock: A 1970s Desktop Station ($250–$800)

Pair TI’s powerful programmable TI-59 with its printer/charger dock and you’ve got a miniature 1970s workstation for complex computations. Collectors value complete working sets with software modules, manuals, and original packaging, which typically sell for $250–$800 in today’s market.

Sinclair Executive: Pocketable Glamour ($300–$1,000)

Slim, stylish, and pure 1970s flair, the Sinclair Executive was the first truly pocketable calculator for suit jackets. Its sleek profile and clever power-saving tricks make it collectible, with early revisions in excellent condition bringing $300–$1,000 from design-minded buyers.

HP-67: The Refined Programmer ($500–$1,400)

A polished successor to the groundbreaking HP-65, the HP-67 added more memory, programmability, and legendary HP build quality. Beloved by engineers for its reliability, fully functioning examples fetch $500–$1,400, especially when bundled with manuals, accessories, and original packaging.

HP-41CV/CX Kit: Modular Magic ($400–$1,200)

With swappable modules, card readers, and even barcode wands, the HP-41 series was essentially a customizable pocket computer. Complete kits with popular modules and working accessories generally range from $400–$1,200, with rare modules pushing values even higher among enthusiasts.

Canon Pocketronic: Print-Only Cool ($400–$1,200)

Instead of a display, this charming portable calculator printed results on thermal paper, making it a tech oddity. Collectors prize fully functional units with clean print heads, chargers, and paper rolls, which often bring $400–$1,200 in private sales and auctions.

Friden EC-130/EC-132: Glowing Nixie Glory ($600–$2,000)

Big, heavy, and gorgeous, these early transistorized desktops feature hypnotic Nixie tube displays that glow warmly when in use. Clean, working units with minimal cosmetic wear are especially prized, selling for $600–$2,000 to collectors of mid-century electronic design.

HP-65: The First Programmable Handheld ($600–$1,800)

The HP-65 made history as the first handheld programmable calculator, using tiny magnetic cards for program storage. Complete, functional examples with accessories, manuals, and original cases can reach $1,800, especially when in excellent cosmetic and working condition.

Sharp EL-8: Early Portability ($700–$1,800)

One of the first truly portable calculators, the Sharp EL-8 came with its own carrying case and charger. Featuring early LED display technology and stylish 1970s design, complete working sets typically go for $700–$1,800 on the collector market.

Busicom LE-120A “Handy”: LED Pioneer ($1,000–$3,000)

A sleek Japanese design with bright red LEDs, the Busicom LE-120A helped usher in the handheld calculator era. Collectors seek examples in full working order with accessories, which usually fetch $1,000–$3,000 depending on condition and rarity.

ANITA Mk VII/Mk 8: First of the Firsts ($1,000–$3,500)

The ANITA was the world’s first all-electronic desktop calculator, using cold-cathode tubes instead of mechanical parts. Museum-worthy examples in good cosmetic and functional condition can sell for $1,000–$3,500, with provenance adding to their appeal.

Curta Type I: The Pepper Grinder Legend ($1,200–$3,000)

A mechanical marvel that fits in your palm, the Curta Type I is both beautiful and precise, earning its “pepper grinder” nickname. Well-preserved examples with original cases typically sell for $1,200–$3,000 to dedicated mechanical calculator fans.

Curta Type II: Bigger, Rarer, Pricier ($2,000–$5,000)

With more capacity and lower production numbers than the Type I, the Curta Type II is even more collectible. Complete, clean examples in original canisters command $2,000–$5,000 and are considered must-haves for serious collectors.

HP-01 Calculator Watch: Luxury on the Wrist ($3,000–$10,000)

Available in gold or stainless, the HP-01 is a 1970s calculator watch that’s part luxury jewelry, part engineering marvel. Mint examples with full kits, boxes, and documentation can top $10,000 at high-profile watch or tech auctions.

HP-35 “Red Dot”: A Pre-Production Unicorn ($5,000–$10,000+)

The first handheld scientific calculator is collectible enough—but the rare pre-production “Red Dot” version is a crown jewel. Correct examples in working condition can fetch $10,000 or more from serious vintage tech investors.

Olivetti Programma 101: Mid-Century Computing Art ($5,000–$12,000)

Often called the first personal computer, this Italian-designed marvel combines historic computing significance with stunning mid-century industrial design. Complete, working examples with accessories can sell for $5,000–$12,000, often to design museums or high-end collectors.

Busicom 141-PF: The Microprocessor Birthplace ($8,000–$20,000+)

Housing Intel’s first commercial microprocessor, the 4004, the Busicom 141-PF is calculator royalty. With documented provenance, these machines can exceed $20,000, making them the ultimate prize for technology historians and elite collectors.