10 Beloved Collectibles That Are Totally Worthless

A collection of assorted vintage items is displayed, including yellow plates, glassware, a wooden figure, ceramic jugs, and a variety of kitchenware. The items are arranged closely together in an outdoor setting.
Studio Grand Web/istockphoto

Did anyone else’s mom or grandma frantically collect things thinking that, one day, the massive collection would make them (or you!) filthy rich? From the Beanie Babies craze to every cute new line of figurines that rolled out, so many beloved collectibles turned out to be worth, well, jack diddly! Here are some of the biggest offenders when it comes to worthless collectibles.

1. Beanie Babies

A large collection of assorted Beanie Babies arranged together. The plush toys include various animals and festive characters in different colors against a vibrant gradient background.
julmul-49 / ebay
julmul-49 / ebay

While the 1990s craze saw collectors scrambling to snag these stuffed toys as investments, expecting them to pay for college or even early retirement, the reality hasn’t lived up to the hype. Sure, some Beanie Babies are worth money, but typically only if they’re rare, in mint condition, or have errors. Today, most Beanie Babies are worth little more than a nostalgic trip down memory lane; plenty of them go for as little as $1 on eBay.

2. Lladró Porcelain Figurines

Porcelain figurine of three puppies in a basket adorned with pink flowers and a bow handle. The puppies have gray and white coloring, each with different expressions, nestled among the pastel floral decoration.
2mc973 / ebay
2mc973 / ebay

Lladró porcelain figurines have been cherished collectibles for decades. Originating in Spain, these hand-painted porcelain pieces often feature graceful women, serene animals, and sentimental family scenes. While some older or rare designs hold significant value among collectors, the general market for Lladró vintage figurines has softened recently, with fewer people actively seeking them out. Individual figures are widely available on eBay for as little as $5.

3. Precious Moments Figurines

Three ceramic figurines in pastel tones: a child in a spacesuit, a child in Santa attire with a lamb, and a child in a robe kneeling with a dog and a small chest.
onestepathread / ebay
onestepathread / ebay

Don’t look at us with those pouty faces, Precious Moments — it’s not our fault you’re not top-dollar these days. With their signature teardrop-eyed characters, Precious Moments figurines are one of the most well-known collectible figurines. But being well known does not make them automatically valuable. While they were once highly collectible, their market value has declined due to mass production and changing trends. Today, you can score these figures for less than $10 apiece (on the lowest end) on eBay. 

4. Vintage McDonald’s Glasses

A collection of nine vintage McDonald's collector series glasses featuring cartoon characters: Mayor McCheese, Officer Big Mac, Grimace, and Hamburglar. Each glass showcases colorful illustrations of these iconic figures in various poses.
taylorgma / ebay
taylorgma / ebay

Vintage McDonald’s glasses, featuring iconic characters like Grimace and the Hamburglar or themes like Star Wars and Coca-Cola, are nostalgic reminders of the glory days of fast food (the 1970s and ’80s, duh). While they once came with every Happy Meal or for a small upcharge, these glasses now appeal to collectors for their retro charm. As appealing as they are, though, they’re still not worth a whole lot — there are some individual glasses being sold for a penny apiece on eBay!

5. Encyclopedia Britannica 

A row of ten black and gold bound volumes of the Encyclopedia Britannica sits neatly on a wooden shelf, labeled from 1 to 10, with visible maroon accents on the spines and a white wall backdrop.
Vintage Dynamics Books / ebay
Vintage Dynamics Books / ebay

Everyone and their grandma (or maybe just their grandma) had one of these encyclopedia sets on its own, dedicated bookshelf somewhere in their house. Why? “Because someday they’ll be worth tons of money!” Yeah, no. That didn’t exactly manifest, Grandma. Thanks to Google, the usefulness of these books is lost on people, and you can grab a complete vintage set on eBay for as low as $20.

6. Dreamsicles Figurines 

Six small angel figurines with hats are displayed against a black background. Each is holding a different object, like a heart or a sunflower. The central figure is sitting on a cloud with a bird. They appear to be made of ceramic or similar material.
Vintage Smalls / ebay
Vintage Smalls / ebay

Not to be confused with the orange popsicles filled with vanilla ice cream, these Dreamsicle figurines were known for their cherubic faces and whimsical charm, and they were a popular collectible in the 1990s. Nowadays you can find them for $1 each on eBay. 

7. Norman Rockwell Plates

Four collector plates on a red textured surface, each featuring Norman Rockwell illustrations. The scenes depict various everyday life moments with people interacting in warm, nostalgic settings.
vader3399 / ebay
vader3399 / ebay

Norman Rockwell collector plates were a big hit back in the day, featuring classic, heartwarming artwork. Unfortunately, thanks to mass production, they’re not worth a whole lot anymore. Plenty of plates sell for just a few dollars apiece on eBay. 

8. Cherished Teddies Figurines

A collection of Cherished Teddies figurines is displayed. The bears are dressed in various outfits, including hats and aprons, and are posed with objects like a signpost, gifts, and a picnic basket, against a plain background.
too_legit_to_flip / ebay
too_legit_to_flip / ebay

I would have been sent to my room with no dinner if I had told my mother in the ’90s that her beloved Cherished Teddies figurines would be on eBay for less than $5 apiece in 2025. But I would’ve been right.

9. Bradford Exchange Plates

Three decorative plates each feature a winter scene with deer. The left plate shows two deer near a snow-covered tree, the center plate displays a single deer, and the right plate depicts two deer nuzzling. The plates are displayed on wooden stands.
The TnT store / ebay
The TnT store / ebay

From sports stars to wildlife, Bradford Exchange plates became popular in the ’80s and ’90s. While they aren’t as sought after today (we found one for as little as $1 on eBay), they still hold sentimental value for collectors who appreciate the memories tied to them — nostalgia, after all, doesn’t have a price tag.

10. Hess Trucks

A collection of Hess toy trucks and jets is displayed on a countertop. In the background, there are two boxes showcasing images of the toys. In the foreground, three toy trucks are positioned side by side.
togsrus / ebay
togsrus / ebay

Hess trucks, first sold as holiday toys in the ’60s, have become a favorite among collectors. These battery-powered trucks, usually decked out with cool lights and holiday designs, were once the perfect gift for kids. Nowadays, collectors hunt down older models, especially the limited edition ones, which can go for decent prices. But, spoiler alert: Some of the newer ones from the early 2000s aren’t worth much at all.

Author
Rachel Schneider

Rachel is a Michigan-based writer with a bachelor’s degree in Professional Writing and English. Throughout her career, she has dabbled in a variety of subject matter from finance and higher education to lifestyle pieces and food writing. She also enjoys writing stories based on social media trends. Find her on Instagram @rachel.schneider922