Your attic might feel like a dumping ground for things you couldn’t quite part with—but it could actually be hiding some serious value. If you happen to have any of the items on this list tucked away in storage, you might be closer to a payday than you think. Time to break out the duster and dig through those forgotten boxes.
Old photographs – Up to $250


Old black-and-white or sepia-toned photographs can be worth more than just sentimental value—some rare and historic images can bring in impressive sums. Parting with family pictures may feel strange, but for collectors, they can offer both historical significance and financial reward.
Ceramic Christmas trees – Up to $300
Those ceramic Christmas trees that once seemed a bit cheesy might now be worth revisiting. Once dismissed as holiday kitsch, these retro decorations from the 1980s are now fetching up to $300 from eager collectors.


Kitchen appliances – Up to $400
Old-school kitchen gear, especially from high-end brands like Le Creuset or KitchenAid, has become surprisingly valuable. While fully functional appliances attract the highest bids, even broken pieces can bring in around $100 from fans of vintage cookware.


Depression glass – Up to $400
If you stumble upon colorful Depression glass from the 1930s, you may have something special. Though it was once an everyday item during tough times, its rarity and nostalgic charm have made it highly collectible—some rare patterns can go for up to $400.


Cookie jars – Up to $500
It may come as a surprise, but certain vintage cookie jars have become hot collector’s items. The most prized ones date back to the 1940s and 50s, with some selling for as much as $500—so don’t overlook that quirky container gathering dust.


Old perfume bottles – Up to $500
Perfume bottles were once just as much about art as fragrance, and the right vintage bottle can now command serious money. Collectors especially covet early 20th-century designs, with some fetching up to $500 at auctions or online.


Vintage shirts – Up to $500
Those loud, over-the-top shirts you once swore you’d never wear again? They’re back in fashion and gaining value. Certain vintage designs—especially those from iconic brands—can now sell for up to $500 among trend-savvy buyers.


Typewriters – Up to $750
Manual typewriters may be relics of the past, but their vintage appeal and craftsmanship make them valuable once again. If you’ve got an old Remington, Smith Corona, Underwood, or Royal, it could be worth hundreds—especially if it still types smoothly.


Art Deco clocks – Up to $1,000
Art Deco might have faded out decades ago, but collectors are still smitten with its bold, geometric style. Vintage clocks from this era, particularly those by Westclox or Telechron, can now sell for as much as $1,000.


Murano Glass – Up to $1,250
Murano glass, once seen as outdated or overly flashy, is enjoying a resurgence in popularity. Collectors are now snapping up ornate pieces online, with the most vibrant and detailed ornaments bringing in more than $1,000.


Costume jewelry – Up to $1,300
While costume jewelry may not contain precious stones, that doesn’t mean it lacks value. Early 20th-century Bakelite pieces, such as chunky bracelets or colorful resin necklaces, are especially prized and can sell for as much as $1,300.


Children’s lunch boxes – Up to $1,650
Back in the 1960s, kids carried tin lunch boxes featuring superheroes and pop icons—today, those same boxes are collector gold. If yours is still in decent shape, it could be worth over $1,000 to the right buyer.


Turntables – Up to $3,000
The vinyl revival has sparked a renewed interest in vintage turntables as well. High-end models like the Pioneer PL-570 are especially in demand, and working units can sell for several thousand dollars on the resale market.


Electronic music equipment – Up to $3,000
Old amplifiers and sound equipment may seem obsolete, but musicians still seek them out for their unique tone and retro vibe. With the right brand and condition, these pieces can easily sell for thousands to serious buyers.


American Girl dolls – Up to $3,300
American Girl dolls may not have reached Barbie-level fame, but their collectible value is impressive. Original 1986 dolls in their boxes are especially sought after, with some commanding prices as high as $3,000 from dedicated fans and collectors.


Cabbage Patch Kids – Up to $3,500
Back in the ’80s and ’90s, Cabbage Patch Kids were all the rage, and their popularity led to Mattel acquiring the line in 1994. Today, some of the rarest dolls can bring in as much as $3,500—but that kind of payout usually requires them to still be sealed in their original boxes.


Event tickets – Up to $4,000
If you’ve ever saved a ticket stub from a famous concert or game, it could be worth more than just memories. Collectors especially value tickets from legendary sporting events—like Muhammad Ali’s final fight—or from concerts that became cultural landmarks.


Colorful pyrex dishes – Up to $4,000
Brightly patterned Pyrex dishes from the mid-1900s are enjoying a resurgence in popularity. Among the most desirable is the “Lucky in Love” design, instantly recognizable with its playful pink hearts and green clovers.


Silverware – Up to $5,000
Antique silverware sets can be a goldmine for collectors, sometimes selling for thousands. But before putting any pieces up for sale, it’s a smart move to get them professionally appraised to confirm their value and authenticity.


Film cameras – Up to $5,000
Old film cameras may look outdated, but there’s a growing market of enthusiasts who prize them for their vintage aesthetic and analog feel. One example: a Leica M6 recently fetched $5,000 on eBay from a buyer eager to ditch digital.


Lionel train sets – Up to $5,500
Model trains might seem like simple toys, but among collectors, they can be serious business. Sets made by Lionel are especially prized, with rare editions regularly selling for thousands to hobbyists and enthusiasts.


Magazines – Up to $8,000
Stacks of old magazines in your attic might be worth more than you think. First issues of iconic publications or editions with unforgettable covers can command high prices from collectors who value both nostalgia and rarity.


Arcade games – Up to $10,000
With retro tech back in fashion, vintage arcade cabinets have become hot collector’s items. Machines like Asteroids are especially valuable, and depending on the condition, some can bring in as much as $10,000.


Beanie Babies – Up to $15,000
Though most Beanie Babies won’t make you rich, some rare editions still carry significant value. A Princess Diana bear once sold for $350,000 at auction, and other rare finds can go for up to $15,000—though condition is everything when it comes to serious collectors.


Lego sets – Up to $20,000
If you’ve got old Lego sets tucked away, it might be time to revisit them. Some discontinued sets have skyrocketed in value, with complete sets—especially in good shape—fetching hundreds or even thousands of dollars from die-hard fans.


Kenner Star Wars toys – Up to $25,000
When Star Wars first hit theaters, no one imagined the toys would become legendary. Early action figures, especially those still in their original packaging, can now be incredibly valuable, with some selling for thousands.


First editions of books – Up to $25,000
For book lovers, first editions of classic titles are the ultimate find. If you suspect you’ve got one, flip to the copyright page—terms like “first printing” are key indicators that you might be holding a literary gem.


Furniture from the 80s – Up to $40,000
The 1980s were bold years for furniture design, with vibrant colors and unconventional shapes taking center stage. These eye-catching pieces—like the Cannaregio Sofa—are now back in style, and some can command as much as $40,000 from modern collectors.


Old coins – Up to $125,000
Coin collecting is a passionate world, and some rare coins can be worth a fortune. WWII silver nickels, for instance, are highly prized and can sell for hundreds of thousands—though finding one in great condition is quite rare.


Air Jordans – Up to $150,000
Few sneakers are as legendary as Air Jordans, and older pairs have become goldmines for collectors. If you’ve got a pair that’s never been worn—or even just looks unworn—it could be worth thousands, with the rarest models selling for jaw-dropping amounts.


Hot Wheels – Up to $175,000
When a rare 1969 prototype Hot Wheels Beach Bomb in pink sold for $175,000 in 2023, it sparked a surge in collectors digging through their old toy bins. While most Hot Wheels won’t fetch that kind of money, some vintage models still carry serious value.


Electric guitars – Up to $250,000
Electric guitars have a rich history filled with iconic designs, and many of them are now prized collector’s items. Models from brands like Gibson and Fender often dominate the market, with rare editions bringing in hundreds of thousands at major auctions.


Concert posters – Up to $275,000
Concert posters from famous performances can be worth a fortune to the right collector. One example: in 2020, a poster from the Beatles’ final official concert sold for $150,000—only to be resold months later for a staggering $275,000.


Pokémon cards – Up to $295,000
Rare Pokémon cards continue to dominate the collector market, with one limited-edition Charizard card selling for $295,000 in 2020. Even less rare cards are gaining traction, so it’s worth going through any binders you’ve kept from childhood.


Watches – Up to $300,000
Don’t assume only luxury-brand watches like Rolex carry value—many vintage timepieces fetch high prices regardless of branding. Collectors often look for unique designs, rare features, or historical significance over just a big-name logo.


Barbies – Up to $302,000
Barbie has long been a cultural icon, and some of her rarest versions have become incredibly valuable. One doll even sold for $302,000 at auction, and even less rare Barbies can bring in thousands if they’re in good condition.


Vinyl – Up to $800,000
When the very first pressing of The Beatles’ White Album sold for nearly $800,000 in 2023, it confirmed that vinyl records are back in a big way. You may not own that exact copy, but many vintage albums are rising in value thanks to renewed interest in analog sound.


Magic: The Gathering cards – Up to $511,000
The holy grail of Magic: The Gathering, a rare Black Lotus card, made headlines when it sold for $511,000—setting a new standard in the trading card world. While you probably don’t have that exact card, there could still be some valuable ones hiding in your collection.


Comic books – Up to $6 million
A historic milestone for comic collectors occurred in 2024 when the debut issue featuring Superman was auctioned off for an astounding $6 million. Your old comic stash might not include that gem, but classic issues can still be worth hundreds or more.


Baseball cards – Up to $12.6 million
In 2022, a 1952 Mickey Mantle rookie card shattered records by selling for $12.6 million at auction. While that kind of sale is one in a million, vintage baseball cards are still highly sought after and could earn you a significant return—especially if they’re in great condition.


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