Playing For Keeps
Apparently, your childhood memories carry price tags now. The stuff you once dragged through mud puddles might just get you some serious cash. It’s time to go back to your toy box, as it could be a gold mine.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Slam Dunkin' Don
Your old TMNT figures could fund your next pair of shoes. The Slam Dunkin' Don figure fetches over $100 when in original packaging. This basketball-themed turtle was part of a specialty line that collectors actively seek. The 1993 Scratch Action Figure is even rarer, commanding higher prices.
TMNT Sewer Sports All Stars Slam Dunkin' Don - 2023 Reissue Unboxing! by zachfernandez92
Vintage DAM Originals 1964 Purple Hair Troll Doll
In 2021, a genuine DAM original purple-haired troll sold for $250 on eBay. These Scandinavian folklore-inspired creatures were handcrafted by Thomas Dam himself, distinguishing them from countless later imitations. Authentic DAM trolls have specific markings and quality differences from mass-produced versions.
My Collection of 90s Trolls by Stuff From My Parents' Attic
Polly Pocket Lucy Locket Carry 'N Play Dream Home
Apparently, designer Chris Wiggs created these miniature worlds in a powder compact for his daughter. Since 1992, the Lucy Locket Carry 'N Play Dream Home has steadily increased to around $275 for boxed examples. Pre-1998 Polly Pockets are more valuable as later versions were redesigned significantly.
✨SHOWCASE✨ Vintage Polly Pocket: Lucy Locket Carry 'N Play Dream Home (1992) by Kerchie
Tamagotchi Ocean
Most Tamagotchis aren't particularly valuable, despite 80 million units sold worldwide. However, the rare Ocean variant now sells for up to $300. Its unique blue casing and special aquatic-themed creatures set it apart from standard models. Original Japanese versions typically command higher prices than international releases.
Unboxing the Tamagotchi Ocean by AtlanticRaven
American Girl "Molly" Doll
As discontinued American Girl dolls, these are available for around $3,000. Even though brand-new dolls cost about $120, "out of print" figures like Molly, Samantha, Kirsten, and Felicity have become priceless. The doll is often sold with accessories like a sweater, skirt, bloomers, etc.
Opening the New BeForever Molly ~ American Girl Doll by BiggestAGFanEVER
Kenner Easy-Bake Oven
Those famous green models from 1963 can literally fetch up to $400 from serious collectors. Using an incandescent lightbulb as its heat source, this revolutionary toy allowed children to safely bake treats. Later turquoise and yellow models are easier to find but less valuable than first-edition versions.
Vintage Jim Henson Commercial - Kenner's Easy Bake Oven by KermiClown
G.I. Joe Gung Ho 1983 Action Figure
So, the very term "action figure" was invented for G.I. Joe to avoid calling them “dolls”. Marine figures like the 1983 Gung Ho command upper rates of $550 on secondary markets. Extremely rare prototypes have reached astronomical prices, with one selling at auction for $200,000 in 2003.
G.I.Joe | 1983/1987 Gung Ho Review by GI Joe Dave C - Straight from the Pit
Kenner Ghostbusters ECTO-1A Vehicle
An unopened example of the 1990 model recently sold for $590 on eBay. The iconic ghost-hunting vehicle maintains its appeal decades after the film's release. Even used vehicles fetch impressive sums if they retain their original accessories and remain in good condition.
Peanut Royal Blue Elephant Beanie Baby
Approximately 2,000 Peanut elephants were mistakenly produced in dark royal blue instead of light sky blue. This manufacturing error formed the holy grail of Beanie Baby collecting. Specimens sold for around $5,000 in recent sales. They represent the pinnacle of the 1990s plush toy craze.
Ty Beanie Baby Royal Blue Peanut - Fake vs Authentic by Beanie Babies Price Guide
Raleigh Chopper
Designer Alan Oakley drew inspiration for his unconventional bicycle styling from customized motorcycles and American muscle cars. Original MK1 and MK2 models have recently been sold online for $5,000. The first-generation models featured distinctive shifters, saddles, and handlebars that set them apart from later ones.
Original 1959 Barbie
Did you know that collectors pay premium prices for the very first Barbie dolls? Some pristine examples suggest selling for up to $27,450. These inaugural dolls had zebra-stripe swimsuits and distinctive upswept hairstyles. They were first sold for about $3 in 1959.
Magic: The Gathering Black Lotus Card
A single Black Lotus card from Magic: The Gathering's 1993 Alpha edition sold for $26,500 on eBay. This ultra-rare trading card is regarded as the most valuable non-promotional MTG card ever printed. Only 1,008 Black Lotus cards were printed in the Alpha set.
Overview of Epic pull Alpha Black Lotus! Openboosters! by openboosters
First-Edition Pokemon Card
The most valuable first-edition cards are holographic, with the Charizard being the most prized. In perfect condition, it can sell for up to $181,900, while a near-mint version is valued at around $7,500. Notable sales include a Pikachu Illustrator promo card selling for $5.275 million.
Grading The 1st Edition Charizard Pokemon Card by Leonhart
LEGO Ultimate Collector Millennium Falcon
Released in 2007 for $499.99, this Star Wars set now sells for over $2,000 used and $5,000 sealed. With around 5,000 pieces, it was the largest commercial LEGO set when launched. Complete sets with original instruction manuals and all mini-figures are particularly valuable to collectors.
Vintage Furby
Early examples of interactive robotic pets can sell for up to $1,000 in collector markets, with the limited-edition Kid Cuisine Furby being particularly sought after. First-generation models from 1998 come with working electronics, complete fur, and original packaging.
Little People Cabbage Patch Kid
Early 1980s plush, soft dolls have brought over $1,600 on eBay. In 1984 alone, Xavier Roberts' innovations earned an incredible $2 billion in retail sales. Compared to subsequent mass-produced variants, original hand-signed dolls with adoption papers and cloth bodies are more valuable.
Cabbage Patch Kids/ The Little People! by sew4dolls
Pleasant Company American Girl 1987 Kirsten Doll
You wouldn’t believe it, but even unboxed original Kirsten dolls in good condition have sold for around $800. Pre-Mattel acquisition dolls with Pleasant Company markings sold for $2,500 on eBay in 2018. Examples with certificates signed by creator Pleasant Rowland represent the highest tier of collectibility.
35th Anniversary Kirsten VS Historical/Mattel Kirsten (American Girl Comparison) by BiggestAGFanEVER
Pez Dispenser
These seemingly disposable candy dispensers can command astonishing prices, with rare examples selling for thousands. A 1979 Soft Head Mickey Mouse Pez earned $7,000 at auction in 2012. The most valuable versions include limited political pieces. Three "political donkey" dispensers made for JFK sold for $20,000.
Mickey mouse pez dispensers by Sparkle Spice
Original Monopoly Game
People are willing to pay any amount for hand-drawn editions of this legendary board game from the 1930s. Charles Darrow's original oilcloth version, created in 1933, brought $146,500 at Sotheby's in 2011. Thousands of dollars are spent on even old Monopoly sets from the 1930s.
Ep. 300: Monopoly Board Game Review (Parker Brothers 1935) + How To Play by Board Game Museum
Hot Wheels
The value of these little die-cast cars might be higher than what they were originally sold for. The 1969 "Volkswagen Beach Bomb" prototype, which is extremely uncommon and includes surfboards hanging out the rear window, is said to be worth approximately $150,000.
Teddy Ruxpin
Let’s talk about this animatronic storytelling bear from 1985. It impressed children with cassette-powered tales. Original models in working condition can sell for around $500, while mint-in-box examples may reach $1,000. The technology that allowed synchronized mouth movements with audio playback makes this a nostalgic favorite.
Teddy Ruxpin's strange, Disney-infused origin story by CNET
Transformers Action Figures
Hasbro Transformers from 1984, which are still in their original packaging, are pretty valuable. Some Optimus Prime models in their original boxes have sold for as much as $25,000. Folks will even pay the maximum rates for first-generation figures that are complete with all accessories.
Digimon
Remember those virtual monster toys created in 1997? Well, they gained massive popularity following an anime series and video games. As per sources, the original Digital Monster model sold over 14 million units worldwide by 2004. Digimon was conceived as a masculine counterpart to Tamagotchi.
Digimon Version 1 Virtual Pet by Erica Griffin
Boba Fett Action Figure
The first Boba Fett action figure was released by Kenner in 1979 as part of the Star Wars Action Figure line. It was initially offered as a mail-in promotion. The rare, hand-painted rocket-firing Boba Fett prototype once sold for a record-breaking $525,000 at auction.
1979 Kenner Star Wars Boba Fett Large Figure by Chronique Vintage
Wun-Dar He-Man
This unusual He-Man variant, known informally as a “loin-cloth He-Man,” was distributed as a Wonder Bread promotion in the 1990s. The limited-edition figure now sells for around $200 on eBay. Masters of the Universe collectors value this rare promotional item for its unconventional distribution method.
