12 Items Boomers Kept That Have Increased in Value
Remember when your boomer parents refused to throw anything away, insisting it would “be worth something someday”? Well, that hoarding mentality may have finally paid off. Some of the items they’ve held onto — whether out of nostalgia, frugality, or sheer stubbornness — have soared in value today (even if they don’t look like they’d be worth much).
From forgotten toys and heirlooms to the “good dishes” that never saw the light of day, here are 12 vintage treasures that can resell for a pretty penny.
1. Original Star Wars Action Figures
Unopened Star Wars figures from the original trilogy, especially rare characters like Boba Fett or Luke Skywalker, can sell for upwards of $10,000. One sold for $12,188 at auction in 2023. That said, even loose figures in “good” or “fair” condition can go for thousands of dollars thanks to the franchise’s enduring popularity and massive cult following. If you own any Kenner figures with all accessories included (even if they aren’t in their original packaging), they can still command hundreds.
2. Depression Glass
Those “cheap” pastel dishes laying around in the kitchen? They can now sell for hundreds or even thousands of dollars — especially complete sets in rare patterns like American Sweetheart or MacBeth-Evans. Wondering which other ones are valuable? Check out our story on vintage depression glass worth serious bucks today.
3. First-Edition Books
If your parents were book collectors, you might just have a literary jackpot on your hands. First editions of beloved classics like “The Great Gatsby” and “To Kill a Mockingbird” (especially signed copies) can sell for tens of thousands of dollars at auction. But if you happen to come across any first-editions with misprints (like this “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” book with the “Joanne Rowling” typo), it can sell for as much as a down payment on a house. One copy sold for £56,000 (about $71,000).
4. Vintage Levi’s
Remember dad’s crusty old jeans from high school? If they’ve got the small “E” red tab along with selvedge edges (used until 1971), denim collectors may be willing to cough up hundreds (or even thousands) for them. Though the most valuable pairs will be those donning the original Levi’s leather patch, collectors also value single-stitch arcs dating back to the early 1900s. Rare editions with orange tabs can also be worth a ton; one pair from 1873 salvaged from a shipwreck sold for $100,000 at auction.
Pro tip: Check the back pocket stitching to find the most valuable Levi’s. Single-stitch arcs are rarer than double.
5. Cast Iron Cookware
If your family’s been holding onto that old cast iron skillet, you might be surprised to find how much collectors adore these heavy-duty kitchen tools. Well-kept vintage cast iron from renowned makers like Griswold or Wagner — especially those featuring logo stamps — can go for hundreds of dollars. Even rusty ones can be restored and resold for a nice profit.
6. Vintage Christmas Ornaments
While those shiny glass ornaments your mom wrapped in newspaper every January might not look like much, they could be worth their weight in gold (or should we say, cash). Vintage holiday decorations from brands like Shiny Brite and Atlantic Mold can command impressive prices among collectors. Certain styles and colors can sell for $50 to $100 apiece, while rare sets can reach into the hundreds. Suddenly, that box marked “XMAS” in the garage looks a lot more enticing.
7. Rotary Phones
That obnoxious avocado-green rotary phone your parents refused to get rid of? People actually want those now. Collectors and decorators alike are scooping up these novelty phones for their retro charm and nostalgic appeal. If you’ve got models featuring beloved cartoon characters like Mickey Mouse or Bugs Bunny, they could fetch over $100.
8. Vintage Board Games
If your family has an old “Monopoly” set that came in the black or white box, you may be able to sell it for a few grand (one’s listed for a whopping $6,000 on eBay). Vintage board games from the 1950s to 1980s, especially complete sets in good condition, are commanding big bucks among collectors. Popular and rare games like “Fireball Island” or “Dark Tower” have also sold for several hundred at auction. Even worn-out or incomplete sets have a shot, especially if the artwork is intact.
9. Pyrex Dishes
Remember those colorful mixing bowls your mom never let you put in the dishwasher? They’re hot commodities now. Certain vintage Pyrex bowl patterns — like “Lucky in Love,” “Gooseberry,” or “Butterprint” — are beloved by collectors and can resell for hundreds of dollars apiece.
10. Sterling Silver
That tarnished tea set or mismatched silverware tucked away in storage might be worth far more than its weight. Sterling silver items — especially those marked “.925” or made by acclaimed brands like Gorham, Tiffany & Co., or Reed & Barton — are cherished by collectors. Even if it’s not a complete set, individual trays, spoons, and candlesticks can sell for hundreds. So before you haul it off to the donation pile, check to see if they bare any of those hallmarks.
11. Vintage Jewelry
That vintage brooch your aunt wore “just for special occasions” might be worth more than you think. Mid-century and antique jewelry — especially Art Deco or Victorian-era pieces — are now coveted by collectors and resellers alike. Items with real gold, gemstones, or designer hallmarks (think Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, or even early Tiffany) can fetch thousands when resold. To avoid getting duped, check out our story on how to tell whether your jewelry or inherited heirlooms are worth anything.
12. Pokémon Cards
Boomers who bought cards for their Pokémon-obsessed children may be hiding a small fortune. Just take this first-edition holographic Charizard that sold for a whopping $420,000 in 2022. Fueled by Millennial nostalgia and a booming trading card market, rare Pokémon cards from the late ’90s and early 2000s have skyrocketed in value today. While holographic, rare cards command the highest prices, even non-holo cards from early sets can fetch hundreds among collectors.