10 Beloved Collectibles That Are Totally Worthless

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.