Whether you want to declutter your home or recently inherited a relative’s belongings, you should know that some everyday things can fetch a pretty penny among collectors. Read on to learn more about the items around your house that could be worth serious cash!
Stamp Collection
Condition and rarity are critical factors when evaluating a stamp collection. Some printing errors can make a stamp worth a lot more. If you have an old stamp collection, take a closer look. It could reveal some oddities. The Inverted Jenny, a simple blue stamp with a plane printed upside down, can fetch $1 million!
Coin Collection
Old coins tend to retain their value due to their precious metal content. Some specimens are worth more because they are hard to find or come from limited mintage. Just like with stamps, flaws can make a coin worth more.
Last year, there were over 20 coins that sold for more than $1 million at auctions.
Sports Cards
Depending on the condition, scarcity, and other factors, a sports card collection can be worth selling. Rare print variations can bring in a few thousand for a single card. Rookie cards of athletes who made it big can also be worth a few hundred.
Even if you don’t have any rare cards, some collectors and trading card businesses will want to buy cards in bulk, especially if you spent years putting your collection together.
Other types of card collections can be worth money as well. For instance, a Pokemon card recently sold for more than $5 million.
Glassware
Blue glass, a vintage home decor trend from the Depression, is making a comeback. If you have some old glassware in your home, look for a manufacturer’s mark or consider taking it to an antique store for an appraisal.
Colored glassware, perfume bottles, and even old milk pitchers can be worth something. Designer items from recognizable brands like Culver, Georges Briard, Blendo, or the Continental Can Company can attract collectors.
Pyrex is another brand that can be valuable. During the Depression, the glassware brand sold uranium-infused items that glowed in the dark. Shining ultraviolet light on these items can reveal an eerie green glow.
Toys
From people seeking their favorite childhood toys to collectors, there is a huge market for selling old toys. Vintage toys like diecast figurines, dolls, or wagons can be valuable. Anything associated with a popular franchise will likely attract collectors, especially if you still have its original packaging.
Retro gaming systems, emblematic toys like Furbies, or recognizable toys like the Talkboy featured in the movie “Home Alone” can be worth selling. Complete Lego sets can also fetch incredible prices, especially if you have one that the manufacturer discontinued.
Clothes
More people are turning to thrifting to reduce their environmental impact or create a unique look. There is a huge market for second-hand clothes, and some pieces can be worth quite a lot.
Condition is important when selling vintage clothes. It’s also important to make sure you have authentic items and not modern replicas. Take a closer look at the labels of your old jackets, jeans, and accessories to see if you recognize any designers.
Jewelry
Gold or silver jewelry retains its value thanks to its precious metal content. However, gold-plated pieces and other vintage items can be valuable.
If you have an old costume jewelry collection, try identifying the pieces to see if you have anything from a designer like Tiffany, Coco Chanel, Dior, Carnegie, or Coro. Even a lot of vintage costume jewelry with no known designer pieces can fetch a good price in an online auction.
Vinyl Records
Vinyl records and turntables are making a resurgence. Records are even outselling CDs at the moment.
Prices can range from a few cents to $15 per record, depending on the record’s rarity and the artist’s popularity. Original copies, autographed records, and records with a limited release can be worth thousands. For instance, a copy of the Beatles’1966 Yesterday and Today album could be worth up to $7,000 if you have one with the U.S. album cover.
Designer Furniture
Mid-century furniture is making a comeback. Vintage pieces from designers like Le Corbusier, Finn Juhl, or Knoll can be valuable. Even if you can’t identify a maker, a piece that features a design or material characteristic of the ’40s, ’50s, or ’60s can interest buyers.
Vintage handmade furniture can also be valuable. Looking at the joints will usually tell you whether a piece comes from a factory or a woodworker.
Final Thoughts
This is a non-exhaustive list of the items around your house that could be worth serious cash. When decluttering your living space or going through possessions you inherited, take the time to look for things that look vintage or feature labels from recognizable brands. You never know what you’ll find!
