1978 Darth Vader Action Figure
Original Price: $4.99
Current Price: $44,994.40
Nothing was bigger in 1978 than the newly-introduced Star Wars franchise. The hype from one of the most popular films in history spawned a slew of toys, figurines, and merchandise. Of course, all of the series signature characters were represented, but none held the same value as the treacherous Darth Vader. There’s something about Vader’s look that appeals to fans of the series, despite his evil persona he exuded in A New Hope. A figure of the famed Sith Lord made by a company called Kenner sold for nearly $45,000 in an online auction back in 2017.
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1985 Teresa Ann Cabbage Patch Doll
Original Price: $25
Current Price: $2,000
Cabbage Patch Dolls were all the craze when they hit shelves in the early 80s. The line of cloth dolls shattered sales records for the years following its initial release. Collectors who wanted to grab the new release typically had a tough time finding a store with any left in stock. Of course, the value of an original Cabbage Patch Doll has skyrocketed. Even one that was released in 1985 — three years after its debut — was sold for $2,000. The Teresa Ann doll sports dark hair with green eyes.
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Thomas Carver Decoy Duck
Original Price: $2,500
Current Price: $270,000
Yes, you read both of those numbers correctly. For those who aren’t big into hunting, a decoy duck is often used in such activities to potentially lure a real duck. This Thomas Carver brand decoy duck retails at a modest $2,500. If that doesn’t sound like a large amount of money to you, wait until you hear how much it sold for at an auction. That’s right, this Atlantic white cedarwood carving sold for a cool $270,000. While that figure obviously shattered the record for the most expensive decoy duck ever sold, similar carvings have been purchased for over $200,000 in the past.
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Where the Wild Things Are (First Edition)
Original Price: $1.99
Current Price: $25,000
An unfortunate phenomenon which occurs in collecting is that the value of certain items can significantly increase following the original artist’s demise. This is such the case with all first edition copies of Where the Wild Things Are. In 2012, the author of the famed children’s book — Maurice Sendak — passed away at the age of 83. Following his death, the average price of a first edition version skyrocketed. An online book store reported that it had sold a signed copy for $25,000 in May of 2012.
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Super Mario Bros. Test Launch Game for NES
Original Price: $24.99
Current Price: $140,000
Nintendo would not be where it is today if it weren’t for everybody’s favorite plumber. After appearing in the 1981 arcade classic Donkey Kong, Mario received his first standalone game just a few years later. In 1985, the first Super Mario Bros game was launched on the Nintendo Entertainment System. And, it was a smash hit. Who knew running around and jumping on turtles — and whatever a “Goomba” is — in order to save the Princess from the dastardly King Bowser could be so fun? Super Mario Bros sold over 40 million copies, but among those were a few thousand “test copies” which were sent out prior to launch. If you can get your hands on one of these — identifiable by a specific sticker on the face of the case — you have a small fortune on your hands.
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The Beatles’ White Album
Original Price: $11.28
Current Price: $790,000
No surprises here. One of the most popular bands/musical acts of all-time made a record which sold for a ton of money. The Beatles’ ninth studio release — known as the White Album — released in November of 1968 and featured 30 tracks. Though you could get a pretty penny from selling any version of the original 1968 record, a particular one sold for nearly $800,000 once upon a time. That’s because it was Ringo Starr’s personal copy which boasted his own fingerprints. Additionally, Starr’s copy was listed as No. 0000001, making it the first one of its kind.
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“Birds of America” painting by James Audubon
Original Price: $126
Current Price: $10 million
It’s not all too surprising to see a painting with a massive price tag. Though effectively priceless, the Mona Lisa is projected to be worth over $850 million. James Audubon’s Birds of America holds nowhere near the stature of da Vinci’s prized work, but comes at a steep price in its own right. A collection of four books containing over 400 original paintings, Birds of America was placed on auction in 2018 and sold for a hefty $10 million. There are only four known copies of this particular volume, making its value immensely greater than usual.
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Nike Air Jordan 1s
Original Price: $65
Current Price: $672,000
No sneaker in history has had a bigger cultural impact or lasting effect than Air Jordans. Designed by Peter Moore, the Air Jordan 1s debuted in 1985 and were donned by NBA legend Michael Jordan. Nowadays, Nike routinely re-releases the iconic silhouette priced around $100 a pop. Back in ’85, you could grab your own pair of Air Jordans for around $65. If you own an original pair of these famed basketball shoes, they can be sold for over $600,000.
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2018 Luka Doncic Basketball Card
Original Price: $16.99
Current Price: $4.6 million
Sports card collectors know all too well how pricey of a hobby it can be. Though, it can also be especially profitable for those who know their stuff. When it comes to sports cards, the value comes in collecting signed rookie cards of players who could eventually become superstars. It’s almost like buying a stock. If you bought stock of Mavericks All-Star Luka Doncic when he was drafted out of Slovenia in 2018, you may have a goldmine on your hands. A signed Doncic card released by PRIZM sold for $4.6 million at an auction recently. Given that the 22-year-old Doncic has already been named a First-Team All-NBA selection three times and continues to get better, the value of that card will only rise even further.
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Princess Diana Beanie Baby
Original Price: $5
Current Price: $50,000
When people who bought into the Beanie Baby craze heard about the potential reward for a particular “Princess Diana” purple bear, everybody immediately rushed to their closet to see if they had one stashed away. This particular stuffed bear was created shortly after the Princess’ tragic death in an effort to raise money for her fund. Ever since the release, collectors who were fortunate enough to secure one of these prized items have sat on their investment in hopes of a massive rise in price. In reality, the value comes down to the stuffing which was used. First edition Princess Diana Beanie Baby’s used something called PVC pellets which greatly increase the price to upwards of $50,000. Anything else, and you’d be lucky to get $5 for that purple bear.
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G.I Joe Action Figure (First Edition)
Original Price: $4
Current Price: $200,000
G.I. Joe first released back in 1964 to massive success. Hasbro quickly realized it had a massive moneymaker on its hands. The original action figure became one of the most iconic figurines in history, spawning countless merchandise, a cartoon, and, even, a series of films starring Channing Tatum, The Rock, and Bruce Willis. Any unblemished, first edition original figures hold extreme value in a potential sale. Just 20 years ago, the ’64 toy sold for $200,000 at an auction. Imagine how much that buyer could resell that figure for today.
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Boy Scout Handbook (First Edition)
Original Price: Free
Current Price: $2,200
Boy Scout memorabilia is perhaps more valuable than one might think. A French Boy Scout patch from 1947 sold for over $70,000 in recent years. Random old trinkets with seemingly little value could potentially be worth $100 for a particular buyer. In 1911, the Boy Scouts launched their first official handbook for all troop members to read through. First edition copies of these collector items have been sold for over $2,000. To top it all off, these pamphlets (and other various collectables) were given out for the low, low price of free to all Boy Scout members.
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Mark McGwire’s 70th Home Run Ball
Original Price: $6
Current Price: $300,000
A major appeal for collecting certain items is feeling like you are a part of history. That seems to be the case with this particular item, the ball Mark McGwire smashed into left field for his record-setting 70th home run of the 1998 season. It was sold at an auction in 1998 to a then-anonymous seller for $3 million. Shortly after, that seller came forward and revealed himself to be Todd McFarlane, a comic book writer and artist best known for creating Spawn. McFarlane claimed that he spent his entire life savings on the ball. Unfortunately, due to the damages done to McGwire’s reputation in recent years, the ball’s value has dropped significantly. It’s reportedly worth around $250,000-$300,000 today.
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1962 New York Yankees Bobblehead
Original Price: $1
Current Price: $59,750
Bobbleheads have an interesting place among valuable memorabilia. The figurines have history which reaches back into 17th century Asia. They saw a surge in the US in the 1950s, and by 1960 they had found a home as a keepsake for fans of Major League Baseball. The Yankees had one made for the 1961-62 season, and ended up winning their second consecutive World Series championship. There were only two of this particular bobblehead manufactured, making it one of the rarest pieces of memorabilia you can find. A mint-condition version can fetch nearly $60,000
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Post Ten Variety Cereal Pack
Original Price: $0.20-$0.40
Current Price: $2,550
Who doesn’t love a good cereal pack? In the 60s, the only way to purchase cereal was by buying a large box which holds multiple servings. Post Tens changed up that formula by selling individual servings in a variety pack. This particular selection from 1962 boasts some all-time great flavors, including Raisin Bran, Alpha Bits, and Sugar Sparkle Corn Flakes. Additionally, the boxes themselves could be used as bowls to hold your cereal and milk. Inside, the packaging also held three baseball cards — Mickey Mantle, Willie McCovey, and Rocky Bridges.
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First Monopoly Board (The Landlord’s Game)
Original Price: $5
Current Price: $146,500
Before it got the name “Monopoly,” the famous board game was known as “The Landlord’s Game.” It was invented by game designer Lizzie Magie in 1903 to showcase the downfalls of an economy built on monopolies. It eventually earned its name “Monopoly” in 1935 when the Parker Brothers published their own version of the game. Originally, the game had two sets of rules — one with taxation and one which closely resembles what we use today. A hand-drawn version of the game sold for $146,500. Interesting enough, Magie didn’t even create this particular copy. It was made by a man named Charles Darow, who claimed to have invented the game himself but actually stole Magie’s idea.
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Nintendo PlayStation Prototype
Original Price: N/A
Current Price: $360,000
You’re looking at a piece of gaming history. In 1988, Nintendo reached a deal with Sony to produce a CD-ROM add-on to their upcoming SNES (Super Nintendo) platform. This would allow for more power and compatibility for a system that was going to shatter all sorts of sales records when it finally released in 1990. However, the prototype never hit shelves. Differences between the two companies led to a rift, and Sony instead began focusing on developing their own system — known as the PlayStation. Supposedly, just about 200 prototypes were made and one recently sold for $360,000 in 2020.
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1927 World Series Ticket Stub
Original Price: $1
Current Price: $41,825
The 1927 New York Yankees were a special team. Led by Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, the Yankees won 110 games that year and easily made their way to the World Series. Once they reached the final, the National League’s Pittsburgh Pirates were awaiting them. The Bronx Bombers made quick work of the Pirates, dispatching them in a four-game sweep. Today, most pundits consider the ’27 Yankees as the greatest team of all-time. Those who were fortunate enough to attend one of those World Series matchups better have held on to their ticket stub. It could be worth over $40,000 today.
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Black Lotus ‘Magic: The Gathering’ Card
Original Price: $25
Current Price: $40,000-$511,100
Trading card games are no joke. Avid players will pay top dollar for the best cards available to defeat their opponents. There are Pokémon and Yu-Gi-Oh cards that sell for thousands of dollars. However, a card made for the popular game Magic: The Gathering is perhaps the rarest one. The Black Lotus is the single most sought-after card in all of MTG. Originally, only 1,100 prints were made of this single card. Reprints were later created, but don’t hold the same value. And, that value seems to be continuously rising. In 2021, a copy of the card sold for a whopping $511,100 — more than three times the amount another copy sold for two years prior.
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1982 World’s Fair Edition Pez Dispenser
Original Price: $2
Current Price: $32,205
You’d be hard pressed to find this specific Pez Dispenser anywhere. Due to its scarcity, the 1982 World’s Fair Edition Pez Dispenser comes with an enormous price tag. That’s because only a few were produced during the event. The dispenser in question is blue in color with a yellow head which closely resembles the Sunsphere building situated in Knoxville, Tennessee (where the World’s Fair was held). While this may be one of the most difficult dispensers to get your hands on, there is an entire market for this sort of thing. Though Pez Dispensers are fairly inexpensive at retail price, they hold considerable value if they remain in mint-condition for lengthy periods of time.
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1959 Original Barbie
Original Price: $3
Current Price: $27,450
Barbie revolutionized the toy business forever. Before Barbie’s hit shelves in 1959, a majority of toys were comprised of various stuffed animals or dolls that looked like kids. Then, Mattel changed the game with the release of the Barbie doll. The first release was fairly basic, but would showcase the vision of the famed toy line. She came with a couple of accessories that could be used to change her look. Eventually, Barbie’s had an entire line of accessories including different outfits, bags, shoes, and, even, vehicles. It’s spawned an entire empire which saw the release of multiple animates films and videogames. In 2023, the first live-action film based on Barbie is set to release starring Margot Robbie in the titular role.
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Action Comics No. 1 Comic Book
Original Price: $0.10
Current Price: $3 million
Action Comics No. 1 is widely-regarded as the start of the superhero genre. It’s the first comic book known in existence and helped pave the way for countless characters to be created and stories to be told. The 1938 book which features multiple heroes — most notably, Superman — can be sold today for a hearty $3 million. The alter-ego of Clark Kent can be seen on the cover lifting a car over his head. At the time, 200,000 copies were produced of Action Comics No. 1, and the entire inventory sold out in rapid fashion. Thanks to the works of Marvel and DC, comic book heroes are more popular than ever. If you could have bought this for $0.10 back in the day, you’d have a considerable return on your investment.
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1856 Magenta Stamp from British Guiana Stamp
Original Price: $0.01
Current Price: $9.5 million
Speaking of return on investment, how about purchasing something for a penny which ends up being worth nearly $10 million? This is the case with a magenta-colored stamp from 1856. As the story goes, the stamp was discovered in a basement in 1873 when a Scottish boy found it amongst his uncle’s collection. It was sold 50 years later for $36,000, but its value has risen considerably since then. It has been sold four times overall, each time breaking the previous record for the most expensive stamp ever sold. Its most recent buyer was shoe designer Stuart Weizman who paid a mammoth $9.5 million for the stamp.
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The Great Gatsby (First Edition)
Original Price: $2
Current Price: $360,000
The Great Gatsby is one of the most revered books of all-time. The story, characters, and overall writing style made it author F. Scott Fitzgerald’s best work. However, it should be noted that The Great Gatsby wasn’t a terribly impressive commercial success when it was released. Following Fitzgerald’s death, the book surged in popularity during World War II. It has since received recognition and continues to grow in popularity — with the 2013 film starring Leonardo DiCaprio showcasing its content to a newer audience. An original first edition version of the book sold for $162,000 in 2018. Today, there’s a seller who has listed his first edition copy for $360,000.
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Honus Wagner Baseball Card
Original Price: $1
Current Price: $6.6 million
The ultimate prized possession for any baseball card collector, there is nothing quite like the T206 Honus Wagner card. Known as the most popular and expensive baseball card in the world, this particular Honus Wagner card sold for $6.6 million in 2021. The card was kept in mint-condition and is believed to be in the best shape of any such card in existence. Part of the price tag has to do with how hard it is to find any Wagner card. Supposedly, Wagner never signed off on his picture being used which led to production of the card being halted. This has made it even rarer to find, especially in good condition. Wagner is one of the best baseball players of all-time, winning eight batting titles over his illustrious 21-year career with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Louisville Colonels.
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