These Vintage Barbie Dolls Could Be Worth Thousands
When it comes to vintage toys, Barbie has to be the most popular doll of every generation since the ’60s. She has transcended decades, amassed seemingly endless renditions over the years, taken up entire store aisles, and inspired everything from books and movies to TV shows and clothing. Barbie is one of the biggest brands imaginable, and her roots run deep, with some dolls selling for several thousand dollars each. Check out some of the most expensive vintage Barbie dolls you can buy today.
1. Original Barbie (1959)
Highest listing price on eBay: $16,000
In 1959, Ruth Handler — co-founder of the toy giant Mattel — was watching her daughter, Barbara, play with paper dolls. That moment was the initial spark to create the very first Barbie doll (named after her daughter, of course). The original plastic Barbie doll wore a black-and-white striped swimsuit, had red lips, and sported a fluffy, curled hairdo reminiscent of the late ’50s.
While you could buy this original Barbie for just $3 at her debut, you can now expect to pay several thousand for a well-preserved doll. The highest price that O.G. Barbs has gone for is a whopping $27,450, although the most expensive one on eBay right now is a slightly more modest $16,000 — still a far cry from $3.
2. Pink Jubilee Barbie (1989)
Highest listing price on eBay: $1,900
Look at that hair! 1989 brought us a Barbie whose hair reached the edges of the box she came in — an impressive feat, to be sure. The Pink Jubilee Barbie of ’89 (she had a sister born in 1987, too) was created to celebrate the original Barbie’s 30th anniversary (birthday?). Instead of hitting store shelves, this lovely lady in a flashy silver gown was given exclusively to those who attended the invitation-only celebration at Lincoln Center. Now that’s what we call party swag! This Barbie doll’s value is undoubtedly driven by her exclusivity and rarity, although we’re sure the ‘do has something to do with it, too.
3. Pink Splendor Barbie (1997)
Highest listing price on eBay: $2,000
We’ve never owned a dress half as elaborate as Pink Splendor Barbie’s sprawling, intricate, lace-laden pink gown. This limited-edition Barbie was decked out in all the bells and whistles, from glitter and satin to bows and roses. Every detail of the gown led up to her stacked up-do, which had to be extravagant to stand up against the pink gown. Only 10,000 of these dolls were made worldwide, landing them on the rarer side.
4. Color Magic Barbie (1966)
Highest listing price on eBay: $3,500
If you found yourself sick of all the blonde Barbies in 1966, the Color Change Barbie was the answer. With a little water, her hair and bathing suit changed colors. Of course, kids weren’t supposed to just dunk her in their bubble bath all willy-nilly. This doll came with a sponge applicator, allowing kids to play color scientist in a careful, controlled manner. Her ability to go from dark brown back to blond hair set unrealistic expectations from hairdressers for decades to come.
5. Chicago Cubs Fan Barbie (2000)
Highest listing price on eBay: $1,100
On August 1, 2000, Wrigley Field hosted Barbie Day during a Chicago Cubs versus Colorado Rockies game. To commemorate the occasion, a special edition Barbie was released. She was a Cubs fan Barbie, of course, complete with the pinstriped top, baseball cap, and hairbrush in case things got rowdy in the stands.
6. Midnight Tuxedo Barbie (2001)
Highest listing price on eBay: $685
Released as part of the Barbie Collector Club Exclusives, the Midnight Tuxedo Barbie screams luxury. The top part of her dress resembled a tuxedo, but then it gave way into a gorgeous black evening gown, complemented by jewelry, a silky pocketbook, and a black faux fur stole. She was beauty, she was grace. She was a limited edition. And now, she’s expensive.
7. Enchanted Evening Barbie (1996)
Highest listing price on eBay: $1,500
If the Enchanted Evening Barbie from the late ’90s gives you ’60s vibes, it’s because her look is a reproduction from one of Barbie’s most popular fashions in 1961. From the pink satin and opera length gloves to the white faux fur and perfectly coiffed blonde hair, this version is the quintessential Barbie doll, adding to its value.
8. Marie Antoinette Barbie (2003)
Highest listing price on eBay: $3,000
Released in 2003 as part of Barbie’s Women in Royalty series, Marie Antoinette Barbie might be the most lavish one in the entire collection. With a dress representative of the real-life Marie’s extravagant fashion and a handful of dainty porcelain roses, this doll is among Barbie’s most luxurious variations with a present-day price tag to match.
9. Totally Hair Barbie (1992)
Highest listing price on eBay: $600
And here we thought Pink Jubilee Barbie’s hair was impressive. The appropriately named Totally Hair Barbie’s hair reached all the way to her toes and became Barbie’s best-selling doll of all time. She even holds a record for the longest successful toy sale, stretching her reign from 1992 to 1995. In later years, she inspired other Totally Hair dolls, including styling heads, which are still a popular toy today.
10. Celebration Holiday Barbie Special Edition (2000)
Highest listing price on eBay: $10,000
All anyone could talk about in late 1999 was the coming of the new millennium. Whether you were prepping for the end of the world, preparing to chuck your computer out the window because you thought it wasn’t going to work anymore, or celebrating in colossal fashion (hence the phrase “party like it’s 1999”), the coming of 2000 was a huge deal. Marking the momentous occasion, Barbie tapped in, releasing the Celebration Barbie Doll decked out in a fancy gold gown and holding a sparkly ornament with a “2000” scribed on it.