Uncovering the hidden value of your favorite collectibles


We’ve all heard stories through the years of valuable paintings discovered at yard sales, purchased for pennies. But paintings aren’t the only valuables in people’s basements waiting to be discovered. A variety of records, clothing, sculptures, movie posters and furniture have found their way to auction houses and fetched thousands or even millions. An Andy Warhol sketch, for instance, picked up for $5 in 2010 was later appraised at $2 million.

But how do you know if you’re sitting on gold or simply fool’s gold? Well, the truth is, most of the stuff cluttering grandma’s basement may have sentimental value but likely not much more. But like the proverbial needle in a haystack, it’s worth knowing a little about what might be worth a lot – and if in doubt, asking someone who does.

The value of any collectible is primarily based on supply and demand and whether it has historical significance, which would explain one of only 200 engraved reproductions of the Declaration of Independence that was bought at a garage sale for $2.48 and eventually sold at auction for nearly $500,000.

Here are few clues to look for:

Furniture – Older and, often, more valuable pieces were built using a dovetailing technique instead with nails. Original midcentury furniture – made in the 1950s and 1960s by designers like Eames, Knoll, Jacobsen or Saarinen – have become especially in demand and valuable.

Identifying marks – Look under, behind or inside pieces of furniture, porcelain, illustrations or paintings, then search online. The Antiques Roadshow website as well as sites like 1stdibs.com and eBay can give you a good idea about whether your piece is a collectible and how much it might be worth.

VHS tapes – Most of them probably aren’t worth much but a few – like a copy of horror flick “Tales From the Quadead Zone" – could be worth as much as $2,000.

Video games – Like movie videos, most won’t be worth much unless they are extremely rare – like “Stadium Events" by Bandai, which was released in 1987 and is now worth $40,000!

Cereal boxes – While the cereal will definitely be past its best before date, unopened boxes of some cereals can fetch upwards of $200.

Cell phones – There are so many floating around, you practically can’t give away most old mobile phones. But a few very old ones – like a 1983 Motorola DynaTAX 8000X – have sold at auction for $550.

Do you have stuff sitting in your basement that you’re not sure is worthless or priceless? Do some online digging and share your questions and suggestions with other members in the Shop Talk blog community forum!

Did you know? It’s alive!

A Frankenstein poster from the original 1931 movie was discovered in the 1970s during a theatre renovation – it sold at auction in 2015 for, get this, $358,500. (Source)

122 thoughts on “Uncovering the hidden value of your favorite collectibles

  1. I have Wizard of Oz collection figurines still in the original packaging. One set has a total of 10. I finally saw them on eBay (but was missing 2) and the set sold for $100. I also have a few others that are a little bigger and in the same condition. I found one that I don’t remember the price on but never found ” The Lollipop Guild” listed that I have. If I’m correct the boy was listed but not the girl. Maybe vice versa but either way I have bother. Other items-wicked witch music box in a glass globe & 2 still in the box Alladin large stuffed characters that were released with the original movie.

  2. If you want a particular doll, I probably have it.
    Just send me a line and I will let you know. (I don’t have the original Barbie.)

  3. I’m in to vintage an antique collection I have 4 old trunks think mite be old military one has all compartments I think there real cool wood like to know more abought them

  4. Have a collection of Beanie Babies – hundreds – from the early days – have been stashed in attic untouched for years. Are they truly worthless as previously written? – or is anyone out there ever going to pay some real $$ for them? (I sold one years ago for $900). Thanks for any info.

  5. I have an 1889 Morgan Silver dollar and I beleive the other one is 1908-09..Also..have a big metal round can that is packed full ofSTAMPS FROM EVERYWHERE..COUNTRIES I DID’NT EVEN KNOW EXISTED OR FOR THAT MATTER NEVER EVEN HEARD THE NAMES..I WOULD LOVE SOMEONE TO POINT ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION TO WHOM COULD TAKE A LOOK AT THEM..
    There are just so many of them I cant even count. Some of the Stamps kind of reminds me back in the early war times.Just truthfully really not sure..
    Also.. I have a can of the Beenie Babies.. not sure about them ..but all are kept in a plastic container away from all prying eyes and fingers. I do think that they have some value.
    I would even actually be interest in selling any of it. Judt would like to know.
    Ohh..here’s I have a Brooch that has a Picture on it with a Vase and some type of zflower.. I got kinda close to identifying it but it wasn’t exact and that one was around $2500.00.. I would DEFINITELY Love to find out what’s it’s worth.
    Anyone with any ideas..I would love to hear about it.
    Thanks for Allowing me to Share With You My keeps and finds!
    Sunday Ingram. North Carolina

  6. I have some old avon items the snow bell and glass woman and buffalo with colonge purfume in them. I have a where’s Elvis baton that has music notes ,his gold cadilac,gold records a little elvis in it. Also a jonny cash man in black book, a peoples magazine of space challenger and newspaper about princess Diana, elvis trading cards. A piece of furniture that has been in family for well over 75 yrs that we were told was a german shrunk. Would like to find anything about any.

  7. I Have all sorts of collectibles and I would like to know the value of them. Some of them are a little strange and unique.

  8. After the 76′ Summer Olympic games I bought She’s the and have 2 posters of Bruce Jenner, one is of him throwing the javelin. The wheaties boxes were destroyed from a natural disaster but the posters are in fair condition. Is it worth looking in to what they would be worth?

  9. I have alot of hot wheels little cars don’t know what or if they are worth anything but all still in package!

    1. Hi I watched pawn star’s one day and some of the hot wheels were worth a lot and one’s U would not think too and American pickers I think is the name also were excited to buy some that brought good money so it can’t hurt to ask and sometimes getting 2 appraisal is smart unless the 1st is home run well good luck to you

  10. I have about 100 cat beanie babies, probably from mid 1980s to 2005. Would love to know how much they are worth!

    1. Probably less than what you paid for them. There are so many BB still out there no one is going to give anything for them.
      If someone has real proof this is wrong my email is Tinakn180@gmail.com

  11. Will pay attention to that more but have had some of my grandmother’s things I have appraised and if I really really need the money will sell them or auction them

  12. I have a 200yr old tricorner hutch. Anybody have any idea what it would be worth. I know labels are important, but I’m afraid to move it.

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