10 Collectibles That Look Cheap But Might Actually Be Valuable
Remember when your parents swore that your sister’s collection of Beanie Babies would pay for college? Or how about those “commemorative” state quarters that were definitely going to appreciate in value? As it turns out, most of those so-called treasures are now worth less than the box they’re stored in.
But not all hope is lost. Collectors go wild for nostalgic items, so all that seemingly worthless junk from your childhood can actually be a diamond in the rough.
From forgotten Happy Meal toys to that banged-up lunchbox you used in third grade, here are 10 collectibles that look cheap but can resell for a pretty penny.
1. Pez Dispensers
Not all Pez dispensers are worth much, but rare or early models can sell for hundreds or even thousands of dollars. The first “character” dispensers — like Popeye or Santa from the 1950s — are considered collector’s gold. So are prototypes, dispensers with errors like misprints, and limited-edition releases. Just take this set of Candy Space shooters that sold for $750 in 2023.
2. Vintage Metal Lunchboxes
Before plastic took over, companies like Aladdin and Thermos made colorful metal lunchboxes featuring beloved characters and action heroes from old school cartoons, TV shows, and movies. Though the most valuable ones stem from the 1950s to 1970s (like those donning Superman, The Beatles, or Star Wars), even those in “used” and “fair” condition are listed for several hundred (or even thousands). In 2017, a 1954 Hopalong Cassidy lunchbox with a matching thermos sold for around $300 at auction.
3. Original Polly Pockets
Remember those adorable tiny worlds that fit in the palm of your hand? Today, original Polly Pockets — the compact-style playsets with magnetic pieces made before 1999 — are hot commodities among collectors. After 1998, safety regulations forced a redesign due to choking concerns, making these early Polly Pockets all the more valuable. Well-kept sets like the Bluebird from 1994 can sell for close to $400, while rare prototypes or discontinued designs can fetch even more.
4. First-Gen Pokémon Cards
First edition holographic cards from 1999 and 2000 are seen as the holy grail of Pokémon cards. If you happen to come across an original card from this base set, you’ve just struck gold. Just take this pristine Charizard card that sold for a staggering $180,000 at a Sotheby’s auction.
5. Beanie Babies With Errors
The Beanie Baby craze of the ’90s left behind some ultra-valuable stuffed animals. That said, not all are worth big bucks. To spot the most valuable Beanie Babies, look for early generation tags (especially those with label errors or misprints like “Peanut the Elephant” in royal blue instead of navy) or rare retired Beanies like “Princess the Bear.”
6. Discontinued LEGO Sets
While not all LEGO sets command top dollar, some collectors are willing to pay a premium for unopened or complete sets from discontinued lines such as Space (Blacktron, Ice Planet), Castle (Dragon Masters), or Modular Buildings. Case in point: This Star Wars Millennium Falcon set that sold for $5,192 at auction in 2023, proving that LEGO can be a worthy investment. If you happen to own any LEGO minifigures, they could also be worth big bucks.
7. Early Hot Wheels
The first Hot Wheels iteration, featuring red stripes on the wheels, are seen as ultra-rare and valuable. One particularly rare model is the 1969 Pink Rear-Loading Volkswagen Beach Bomb — worth over $150,000, with only two ever made. But even loose cars in good condition, especially those from the late ’60s and early ’70s, can sell for several hundred thanks to their nostalgic appeal.
8. Vintage Video Games and Consoles
Vintage video games, like Nintendo World Championships from 1990, Stadium Events, or Air Raid, can sell for high hundreds or thousands. That said, even generic games in mint condition, like a sealed copy of Super Mario Bros. 3, can fetch several hundred when resold thanks to their nostalgic connection to early gaming. Retro gaming consoles like the NES, Atari Jaguar CD, and Sega SG-1000 can also command big bucks among collectors and enthusiasts of vintage tech.
9. McDonald’s Happy Meal Toys
Some of the earliest Happy Meal toys from the ’80s and early ’90s are surprisingly valuable, especially those featuring beloved McDonaldland characters such as Birdie the Early Bird, Mayor McCheese, Hamburglar, and Grimace. Those with promotional tie-ins, like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles collab, can also resell for over $200. In 2024, a set sold for $80 at auction.
10. Comic Books
Vintage comic books featuring first appearances of iconic action figures like the Amazing Fantasy #15 for Spider-Man (sold for a whopping $3.6 million in 2021) or Detective Comics #27 for Batman (sold for $1.8 million at auction) can sell for millions of dollars in mint condition.