15 Collectors Who Took Their Hobbies to the Next Level

Written by Erin Kuschner on May 19, 2025

An open wooden chest filled with colorful marbles of various sizes. Inside the chest, there is a small brown booklet with text on its cover. The chest lid is propped open, revealing a vintage sticker.

If you collected 4,634 can tabs and didn’t take a photo, did you ever really collect them? These photos are visual proof that collectors invest serious time and money into their personal collections. From hats and sports memorabilia to Monster Energy cans and Lego Brickheadz, these valuable collections are an impressive example of the passion and pride that comes with having a collectibles hobby.

1. Bic Lighters

A collection of colorful Bic lighters with various solid colors and graphic designs arranged in a neat row on a wooden shelf. — TheVoxBox04

If you need a light, this collector has you covered.

2. ‘My Collection of Custom, Monochrome Lego Brickheadz

A collection of thirteen LEGO block figures arranged in two rows by color, with an additional figure resembling a person with glasses standing on top of the red figure in the back row. The colors include black, white, and various shades. — Tattooeddude77

Talk about dedication.

3. Hats

Several rows of baseball caps hang from a wooden ceiling alongside vintage license plates mounted on the wall below. The hats appear worn and are arranged in neat lines. — rachetwrench

“This is every hat I’ve owned over the last 25 years,” the collector says.

4. Uranium Glass

A display case filled with various pieces of vintage uranium glass glowing bright green under a black light, including cups, bowls, plates, a shoe-shaped piece, and small decorative items. — Normal-Balance-8023

This type of collection needs a proper display, and the collector nailed it.

5. Antique Bottles and ‘Various Other Wonderments’

A windowsill displays colorful vintage glass bottles in various shapes and sizes, surrounded by small animal figurines, seashells, and trinkets. Outside, part of a large pink flamingo decoration is visible. — Vikingtender

Does a witch live here?

6. ‘My Five Nights at Freddy’s Plastic Collection!’

A collection of colorful Five Nights at Freddy's action figures and Funko Pop toys arranged on a black shelf, featuring various animatronic characters in different sizes and poses. — Charming_Advance6414

How can something be so terrifying and adorable?

7. Monster Energy Cans

Three white shelves display a colorful collection of Monster Energy drink cans, arranged in rows with a variety of flavors and designs, organized mainly by color. The background is a plain white wall. — Filmarnia

The color coding is on point.

8. Can Tabs

A hand holds a glass jar partially filled with aluminum can tabs next to a large glass container overflowing with similar can tabs. A photo of a cat and some small boxes are visible in the background. — Zippemannen

The collector currently has 4,634 tabs in the collection. Impressive!

9. Beer Coasters

A large, colorful pile of assorted beer coasters, featuring various logos, images, shapes, and brands, scattered across a dark tiled floor. A "Mönchshof" branded coaster is prominently displayed in the center. — wnr3

But how many pints of beer did you drink while collecting these?

10. Ancient and Medieval Coins

A collection of various ancient and medieval coins and medals, made of different metals, with detailed engravings and profiles, arranged neatly on a dark brown textured surface. — coinoscopeV2

The hands these coins have passed through…

11. Sony Sports Edition Devices

A collection of vintage yellow Sony Walkman and sports audio devices, including cassette players, radios, and headphones, neatly arranged on three white shelves. — BullHeadTee

This collector picked a theme and went with it.

12. Godzilla Pencils

A collection of Godzilla-themed PEZ dispensers and collectible coins displayed on a wall, featuring various Godzilla designs and other kaiju characters in multiple colors and packaging. — Due-Entertainment541

If you’re going to collect pencils, why not collect Godzilla pencils?

13. Ken Griffey Jr. Memorabilia

A collection of Ken Griffey Jr. memorabilia, including framed photos, plaques, a Frosted Flakes cereal box, and dozens of baseball cards laid out on a carpeted floor. — loztriforce

“I live in the Seattle area and there was a time when Griffey was huge around here,” the collector says. “I was like 8yo when he joined the Mariners, inspired me to play baseball.”

14. ‘My Shirt Collection (30 pieces) From My Favorite Football Club’

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Hope you look good in blue!

15. Fast Food Toys

A display case mounted on a wall holds rows of colorful Mr. Potato Head toys and figurines, each dressed in various costumes, with several other character figures arranged on top of the case. — Felaia

That’s a lot of nuggets!

Want more collectibles content?

Dive into 11 Glowing Uranium Glass Pieces That Collectors Want and 12 of the Rarest U.S. Mint Error Coins Worth a Fortune. Plus, don’t skip out on 11 Vintage Beer Steins That Sold for Thousands and 13 Valuable Stamps From Around the World.