30+ Rare Things People Love To Collect

Maker: Major League Baseball
Original Price: $1*
Worth Today: $41,825*

In 1927, the Yankees League, led by Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, won a record-breaking 110 games, finishing with a 19-game lead. According to superfans, if you attended the Series, you witnessed the best squad in baseball history. Even a ticket stub might be worth more than $40,000. Sports memorabilia is taken very seriously by collectors, and here is a prime example of why. The tickets will have initially cost roughly $1, so that’s a pretty good return on investment. It only goes to show that it’s not always about the stuff, but rather what it represents. In truth, a ticket stub is merely a fragile piece of paper, but the historical significance cannot be overlooked. Any self-respecting sports collector would be delighted to have this in their cabinet.

Maker: New York Yankees
Original Price: Unknown*
Worth Today: $59,750*

New York Yankee Bobbleheads, and bobbleheads in general, may be fairly valuable if you know what to look for. These little fellas nod in approval as they are sold for up to $5,000 and are a prized collector’s item. However, this specific bobblehead is unique in that only two were ever created. The rare collectors’ goods are hand-painted and fashioned of ceramic and paper-mâché. If you are fortunate enough to have one of these 14-inch bobbleheads in good condition, you will be holding $60,000 in your hands. The problem is that finding one in immaculate condition is frequently easier said than accomplished. After all, bobbleheads appeal to children who may not understand what “future value” entails. That being said, when they do appear at auction, they are highly valued (and sought after) for precisely this reason.

Maker: Jerry Siegel and Joe Schuster
Original Price: 10c*
Worth Today: $3.2 Million*

The first superhero comic book was Action Comics #1. It originally included multiple superheroes, most notably Superman, and is regarded as the birth of the superhero genre. It is also the most valuable comic of all time, thus it is absolutely worth digging through the dusty old comic box to find one of these guys. The cover, published in 1938, shows Superman lifting a green automobile while people escape the scene. The first edition was printed in 200,000 copies and sold out very quickly. It didn’t take long for them to understand that Superman was the reason the comic book was so successful; shortly, they were selling a million copies every month. Disney and Sony’s efforts have increased the popularity of comic books in recent years. Even though an issue of this particular comic cost only 10 cents at the time, a perfect copy can fetch up to $3.2 million. That is not a small change.

Maker: British Guiana
Original Price: 1c*
Worth Today: $9.5 Million*

Discovered in a cellar in 1873 by a Scottish schoolboy among his uncle’s stamp collection, it passed through multiple hands until reaching Arthur Hind in 1922, who supposedly outbid three kings for $36,000. Its value has subsequently risen significantly, prompting stamp collectors throughout the world to dust off their old stamps and have them assessed. The extremely rare 1c stamp from British Guiana (now Guyana), issued in 1856, is the only one known to survive today. Each of the four times it sold, it broke the record for the most money paid for a single stamp. The most recent sale was for a whopping $9.5 million to shoe designer Stuart Weizman. Stamp collecting may be tough for some of us to understand, yet it has long been one of the market’s most popular sectors. Stamp collectors are willing to pay exorbitant prices to acquire something unusual and distinctive.

Maker: Rookie Card
Original Price: $16.99*
Worth Today: $4.6 Million*

signed basketball cards are extremely valuable; for example, Antetokounmpo and LeBron James 2013-4 Patch rookie cards sold for $1.8 million apiece, as did a fragment of Michael Jordan’s used jersey that was transformed into a signed card for $1.44 million. The record-breaker is a signed single-print rookie card showing Dallas Mavericks point guard Luka Doncic, which sold for $4.6 million. Despite the fact that Doncic is only in his third NBA season, the record is unlikely to be broken anytime soon. Other rookie cards, such as Tom Brady’s, have sold for a lot of money, including $1.32 million for his. These cards are worth nearly as much as the players themselves, but not quite. Brady currently has $145 million, while Luka Doncic is valued $5 million.

Maker: John James Audubon
Original Price: $126*
Worth Today: $10.27 Million*

The Birds of America is a series of James Audubon prints featuring his hand-painted watercolor birds. The huge four-volume book set comprises 435 beautiful paintings, and only four copies are believed to exist. The book was auctioned in 2018 and sold for more than $10 million. Carl W. Knobloch, Jr. purchased the book and donated it to his family’s organization, the Knobloch Family organization (KFF), which focuses on conservation. The book’s proceeds will be used entirely for environmental concerns. Items like this are extremely rare and unusual, thus they don’t turn up very often. It’s even rarer to see them auctioned off for philanthropic purposes, so “Birds of America” deserves extra marks for this one. It’s improbable that James Audubon could have imagined such amazing things for his work.

Maker: Apple Records
Original Price: $11.28*
Worth Today: $790,000*

The White Album, released in November 1968, was the renowned band’s ninth studio album. Ringo Star’s personal copy of the album was auctioned off fifty years later and sold for a whopping $790,000. The reason for this is twofold: first, it was owned by Star and was part of his personal collection. He is cited as adding that the future owner will receive the record with his fingerprints on the vinyl. Second, the record was identified as No.0000001. Each record was numbered, and this was the very first one ever created. Because the Beatles are so renowned, there is a large market for their memorabilia. Anything from lyrics sheets to other relics can sell for hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of dollars. This sale stands out, but there have been many before it, and there will be many more to come.

Maker: Hasbro
Original Price: $4*
Worth Today: $200,000*

In 1964, the first G.I. Joe action figure was made. It was a massive toy that was a huge success, but the production costs were prohibitively expensive due to its size, thus they quickly discontinued producing the original action figures. Hasbro soon realized that if the character had a story, the action figure would sell much better, and thus began his universe of heroic military figurines. The original first edition toy has now become extremely valuable, selling at auction for $200,000 in 2003. G.I. Joe has been a cornerstone of American culture since its inception, which is why it is so popular. Channing Tatum has even appeared in two Hollywood action films based on the character, solidifying G.I. Joe’s tremendous history.

Maker: Unknown 
Original Price: $6*
Worth Today: $3 Million

Mark McGwire is known as “one of the most fearsome power hitters in baseball in the 1990s” and established a record of 70 home runs in a single season in 1998. This was the baseball he used to hit his 70th home run of the season, earning his place in the Baseball Hall of Fame. In January 1999, the ball was put up for sale. It was purchased by an unknown buyer for a record-breaking $3 million. The buyer was later found to be Todd McFarlane, who claimed to have spent his whole life savings on the ball. The transaction was more than 23 times the value of any baseball before 1999. $3 million in savings is a lot of money to spend on a single ball, but Todd’s passion for the game clearly outweighed reasoning. On the other hand, if the ball’s value has improved since then, it could be a good investment. Only time will tell.

Maker: Nokia/HMD Global/Caviar
Original Price: $25,000*
Worth Today: TBD

We already know that old Nokia 3310s can be expensive, but did you realize that some models can pay for the remainder of your mortgage? In 2017, Caviar, a Russian firm, launched a diamond-encrusted version featuring world leaders. The luxury phone, which costs more than $25,000, may not have all of the bells and whistles seen in more recent smartphones, but it is a collector’s dream. Its value is likely to rise much further, with owners possibly sitting on a substantial nest egg.

Maker: Heinz Schulz-Neudamm
Original Price: Unknown*
Worth Today: $690,000*

Metropolis was released in 1927 and was the most expensive silent picture at the time. It is a German expressionist science-fiction film depicting social class divisions. Fritz Lang directed the film, and graphic artist Heinz Schulz-Neudamm drew the poster. There were only four posters made; one is in the Museum of Modern Art, one in a German museum, and one in a private collection. The fourth was sold to a collector in the United States in 2005 for $690,000. Movie memorabilia may be a very lucrative game. Posters like this, unique outfits, and even autographs can sell for a shocking amount. After all, everyone enjoys movies, so this is an interesting company to be in if you want to make some additional money.

Maker: Ty
Original Price: $5-$7*
Worth Today: $22,222*

The purple Princess Diana beanie baby was developed shortly after her death to benefit the Princess of Wales Memorial Fund. As with anything containing the lady’s name, it sparked a great craze, and they have since been collecting dust in people’s attics, waiting for their worth to climb. The value of Ty beanie babies is contested. Some estimate they’re just about $5-$7, while others believe some are worth more than $500,000. The decisive aspect is apparently the stuffing, with the first version including PVC pellets and hence receiving a greater worth. In any case, there’s no doubting that some people are willing to pay a premium to get the most uncommon newborns for their collection. Given how popular they were in the 1990s, it may be worthwhile to search through mom’s attic to see whether you have a small fortune.

Maker: Nintendo
Original Price: Unknown*
Worth Today: $41,300*

Maker: VHS
Original Price: $50*
Worth Today: $14,500*

Who can remember the days before digital, when watching a movie or listening to music required a physical thing to be placed into a machine? VHS, which existed before DVDs, was huge and bulky. One wonders what today’s youth would make of the enormous black boxes. While most Disney classics are worthless, a few are now worth a substantial fortune. An vintage copy of Beauty and the Beast, as well as Dumbo, sold for $14,500, while 101 Dalmatians grossed more than $25,000. It would be a good idea to dust off your old collection and have it evaluated! Of course, given how long it’s been since VHS cassettes were the pinnacle of home entertainment, you’re unlikely to have any lying around. However, they can occasionally be discovered in thrift stores, so keep an eye out if you come across one.

Maker: Universal
Original Price: $2.39*
Worth Today: $13,225*

Who would have imagined that the lunchbox you were so obsessed with as a child and wanted to show off to all your friends could be worth a small fortune today? Collectible lunch boxes really exist, and they are extremely valuable if you can get your hands on one of the rarest. The 1953 Superman lunchbox is nearly as powerful and popular as the figure himself. The Universal box depicts Superman fighting robots and rescuing a girl in distress. This small lunchbox has been known to bring more than $13,000! Most of us passed through lunch boxes rapidly as kids, so don’t worry if you had one and wish you hadn’t discarded it. Keep an eye on sites like eBay; you never know what might come up. What one person considers garbage is another person’s treasure!

Maker: Vincent in Stevenage, England
Original Price: Unknown
Worth Today: $929,000*

The 1951 Vincent Black Lightning Motorcycle set the record for the most expensive motorcycle ever, selling for about $1 million in Las Vegas in 2018. It is one of perhaps 19 known to exist today, out of the initial 33 manufactured. Vincent built it on special order in Stevenage, England. It was built for Australian racer Tony McAlpine, who went on to win an astounding number of races, including Australia’s land speed record. The second most costly bike costs half as much as this one, making it the clear winner on all counts. While historic cars and luxury vehicles frequently sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars, seeing a bike sell for the same price is slightly less common. However, this does not preclude the existence of a market for ardent motorcycle collectors. Everything depends on where you look!

Maker: McDonald’s
Original Price: free*
Worth Today: $14,700*

We’ve all seen the viral photos of McDonald’s fries that were left in someone’s car for an extended period of time without mildew growing. The fries gained some online attention for 15 minutes but were not worth any money. This pack of sauce was left in someone’s car since 1998 (!!), and it not only did not spoil, but it also became worth a small sum. When the film Mulan was released in 1998, McDonald’s ‘Mulan’ Szechuan Sauce was made available as a limited edition. As a marketing gimmick in 2017, the Rick and Morty creators created a petition to bring back the sauce, which went viral online. Following the sensation, an eBay bidder paid a staggering $14,700 for the old sauce. Most of us may think it’s a stupid move, but this customer was definitely motivated by a passion for flavor. McDonald’s memorabilia is a quirky and interesting niche in the collecting world that frequently defies logic – but that’s part of the appeal!

Maker: Levi’s
Original Price: $3*
Worth Today: $60,000*

While jeans first gained prominence in the 1960s and 1970s, the company was started in 1853. Vintage Levi’s from the 18th century have proved to be rather valuable! Levi’s purchased a pair from the late 1800s for $46,000, thus providing the owner a refund plus astonishing interest. Another pair from the late 1800s got a staggering $60,000. Perhaps this should be considered before upcycling your jeans. If you can keep them for more than 100 years, they could be worth a fortune! Most people are unaware that the Levi brand has such a long history, but information is power in this case. Knowing what to look for is frequently the key to making a quick profit at thrift and antique stores, so keep this information in your back pocket (forgive the pun!).

Maker: Steiff
Original Price: Unknown*
Worth Today: $171,600*

Steiff Teddies are some of the most valuable vintage bears in the world. They have sold at auction for record sums and are known for their stiff joints and mohair coats. This bear was manufactured in 1905 and given as a present to Bob Henderson, a baby. The bear followed the British Army Colonel to battle and survived the D-Day landings in 1962. Henderson went on to establish Good Bears of the World, which offers teddies to sick children. Following his death in 1990, the beloved Steiff bear sold at auction for $171,000, breaking the global record for the most expensive teddy bear. It’s comforting to know that if teddy bears are well-cared for, they can live a long life. Henderson’s story is inspiring and extraordinary, which only adds to the value of this deserving bear. After all, a stuffed animal seldom travels this far.

Maker: Coca Cola
Original Price: $1.19*
Worth Today: $250,000*

In 1892, in Atlanta, Georgia, a soft drink boom emerged. Coca-Cola’s sales are extraordinary; in 2020, their global revenues were over $33 billion. They are one of the most well-known companies in history, and as a result, many collectors enjoy acquiring various pieces of memorabilia. Who would have guessed that a Coca-Cola plant error would be worth a quarter of a million dollars? One would think that a vintage bottle or advertisement would be the most valuable, but if you come find a closed, empty can, it might be worth thousands of dollars! The history of this wonderful brand is undeniable, thus spending $250,000 on an ancient can may appear to be the perfect way to spend a day for pop culture fans and collectors alike. However, it’s tough not to consider what else you could spend a quarter-million on.

Maker: US Mint
Original Price: $1*
Worth Today: $10 Million*

When a $1 coin sells for $10 million, the least one can say is that it provided a good return on investment. This flowing hair silver-copper dollar coin is thought to be the first silver dollar produced by the US Mint. Legend Numismatics, a New Jersey-based rare coin firm, purchased the coin and stated that they would have bid higher if necessary. They further claimed that the coin possesses distinguishing characteristics that make it especially valuable. They claim that no museum has an equal item. If you’re going to spend $10 million on anything, this seems like a smart choice. It’s a completely unique item rooted in history, thus it’s arguably worth every penny. Still, we can’t help but wonder if there’s something comparable lurking somewhere, waiting to be found.

Maker: Public Authorities
Original Price: Purchased new at auction*
Worth Today: $14.3 Million*

Most of us accept the license plate that is assigned to us, while some opt to splurge on unique or rare plates. For example, consider the Saab owner with the plate ‘WASAAB’ and the tire truck with the plate ‘TIRED’. It is a technique to express one’s individuality or status while driving. The single digit number plates are the most expensive, with only 9 available. An Abu Dhabi guy paid $14.3 million for the number one plate, but that’s only the beginning of the story. The cheque he issued bounced, and he was later sentenced to three years in prison for fraud! The fascinating story only adds to the item’s notoriety, but something tells us that the winning bidder wishes he had never been engaged in the first place. As we all know, the law in Abu Dhabi is strict, therefore it’s surprised the sentence wasn’t more severe.

Maker: Factory 25
Original Price: $50*
Worth Today: $6.6 Million*

The T206 Honus Wagner Baseball Card, arguably the most famous and expensive baseball card in the world, sold for a record-breaking $6.6 million in 2021. The card is in mint condition and is widely regarded as the best version of the card available. Which, for that price, is precisely what one would expect, especially given that the Wagner card has set numerous records over the years. According to folklore, Wagner pulled the card from manufacturing after only about 50 were manufactured. The reason is contested; some believe he didn’t want to market cigarettes to youngsters, while others claim he didn’t give permission for his image to be used. In any case, it was well worth it in the end. The card’s story adds to its value. While history is significant, features like the ones mentioned above frequently increase the value of a valuable item. Intriguing stories can lead to unexpectedly high bids.

Maker: Zippo
Original Price: $0.74*
Worth Today: $18,000*

An ancient Zippo lighter might be worth a lot of money, if it’s in good condition and works. Zippo lighters were first introduced in 1933 and cost less than a dollar (currently priced between $10 and $14). The Zippo/Case Museum houses the first one ever produced. There are several various Zippos from that first production year, including Tall, Gunmetal, Brass, Chrome, and others. These Zippos have sold for up to $18,000 on auction sites. Though the price has risen, most Zippos from that era would sell for $400-$500, as wear and tear has likely made their condition less than immaculate.

Maker: Nintendo
Original Price: Free
Worth Today: $54,970*

The Pikachu Illustrator, often known as “The Holy Grail” of the Pokemon universe, is the most precious card in existence in the Pokeverse. The Pokemon card is worth millions of dollars, which is amusing given that the recipient received it for free. The Illustrator card was given as a reward in a competition for artists who created the finest Pokemon fan art. The print on the card is a congratulatory message for the winners. The Pikachu Illustrator Card is expensive because it is extremely rare; just a few dozen were ever printed. CoroCoro, a Japanese magazine, organized the contest that resulted in their creation in 1998.

Maker: Legoland
Original Price: Free
Worth Today: $19,793*

The auction of a 2×4 gold brick, coupled with rare rarities such as the 10226 Sopwith Camel, Wooden Duck, and San Diego Comic Con Zebra Batman, made Lego history as one of the company’s most costly goods. The gigantic Lego was constructed of 14-karat gold that cost $205. The golden brick was originally presented as a trophy to employees who had done something exceptional for the organization. The one that went up for auction was given to a German employee in 1971. He upgraded the program for selling Legos and received this pure gold Lego, as well as a thank-you letter for his efforts.

Maker: Haas
Original Price: $2*
Worth Today: $32,205*

The scarcity of this Pez dispenser contributes to its high pricing. It was never a mass-produced Pez dispenser. It had a white head and a green stem, and the design, as shown on the label, was originally created for the 1982 World’s Fair in Knoxville, Tennessee. The prototype remained just that, and just a few were ever built. The Pez dispenser was later sold on eBay in 2006 for $32,205, decades after the World’s Fair. Given that Pez dispensers were only a few dollars when they first came out, we believe it’s a pretty good return on investment.

Maker: Kenner
Original Price: $4.99*
Worth Today: $44,994.40*

Star Wars dazzled audiences in the 1970s and has since developed into a billion-dollar franchise. The movie series has resulted in thousands of licenses for toy deals and goods, and original toys released with the films have sold for thousands of dollars. One example is the 1978 Darth Vader action figure. Kenner made the double-telescoping Darth Vader, which is worth thousands. The “Double Telescoping” refers to the lightsaber included with Kenner’s Darth Vader, Kenobi, and Luke Skywalker action figures. “Double-telescoping” has proven a fairly reliable indicator that an action figure will be worth hundreds when resold.

Maker: Coleco Industries
Original Price: $25*
Worth Today: $2,000*

Cabbage Patch Kids made history in the 1980s as the most successful doll launch in the toy industry. The toy business has never seen such a mania before, and old Cabbage Patch Kids from 1985 are now highly valued. One example is the 1985 Teresa Ann Cabbage Patch Doll. Teresa has a #3 head mold, a soft body, green eyes, and a signature on the back. Teresa Ann appears in a pink outfit. Another rare Cabbage Patch Kid doll is Anna Greta, which was launched a year later. Anna Greta has bright red hair, so don’t mix them.

Year: 1995-2001
List Price: $20,000-$25,000*
Est. Current Value: $8,000-$12,000*
Highlight: First Honda to wear the famous Type R badge

The Honda Integra Type R was the first Honda to acquire that designation, and it is also considered one of the best automobiles in Honda history. The Type R was designed for motorsports, and it features an 187HP VTEC engine connected to a five-speed manual transmission. This allows the Type R to shift very precisely and quickly. Other notable features of this vehicle included its highly tuned suspension, sturdy bodyshell, and limited-slip differential. If you can get your hands on a UK Type R, you’re in fortunate; just 500 were officially imported there in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Maker: Charles Scribner’s
Original Price: $2*
Worth Today: $400,000*

The Jones Brothers is a rare-book dealer based in the United Kingdom that made headlines when it sold a first copy of The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s famous classic novel, for thousands. The initial edition of Gatsby was sold with the same dust jacket as in the 1920s. Jones stated that “rarity, cover art, and story” contributed to the value of this first edition. There is a misprint on the back of the book’s dust jacket that reads “jay Gatsby,” with a lowercase letter rather than an uppercase one. A stamp correction was used to correct the problem, but the rarity had already increased.

Maker: The Topps Company
Original Price: $9.98/pack*
Worth Today: $7,856*

In GEM MT 10 condition, you might sell your Garbage Pail Kid Nasty Nick #1A for hundreds of dollars. The Garbage Pail Kids were a collection of sticker trading cards. They were made by Topps and published the same year as Cabbage Patch Kid dolls, serving as a satire. They even had their own movie in 1987. Nasty Nick was one of the most uncommon of the Kids. As the deck’s top card, many of his cards were printed slightly off-center. Nasty Nick dressed as a vampire holding a blond-haired doll is more unusual than Adam Bomb, Evil Eddie, or Schizo Fran.

Maker: Patek Philippe
Original Price: N/A (Created For Auction)
Worth Today: $31.19 million*

Patek Philippe describes the Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime Watch as the most “complicated” timepiece it has “ever made.” The watch is valued tens of millions of dollars, and only seven Grandmaster Chimes have ever been produced. One example is housed at the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva, Switzerland, leaving only six “on the market.” The wristwatch features twenty complexities, two independent dials, a flip case, and six patented inventions. Overall, the invention, assembly, and production of only one of these iconic clocks required more than 100,000 hours. Patek Philippe has long been a world leader in intricate timepieces, but the Grandmaster takes it to the next level.

Maker: USPS
Original Price: $0.24*
Worth Today: $1.593 million*

The Inverted Jenny, often known as the “Jenny Invert” or “Upside-Down Jenny,” is a USPS postage stamp worth twenty-four cents. It was printed in 1918 and depicts a Curtiss JN-4 aircraft. The plane was printed incorrectly—it’s upside down. The reversed “Jenny” jet is one of the most well-known blunders in American philately. Only one pane of one hundred Jenny Inverts was ever discovered, hence the stamp is highly valued due to its rarity. In 2007, a Jenny Invert went for $977,500. Most recently, in 2018, a Jenny Invert sold for $1.593 million (with a $243,000 premium).

Maker: Post
Original Price: $0.20-$0.40*
Worth Today: $2,550

Children have always enjoyed variety packets of cereal, and the Post Ten Variety Pack Cereal Pack from 1962 is no exception. Post Cereal had long offered standard-size, huge cereal boxes, but in 1962, company shook things up and began offering single-serving boxes called “Post Tens.” The small boxes were arranged in cardboard trays. The boxes might be cut open to serve as cereal dishes. The Post Tens tray served as a platform for the boxes, and the bottom featured three 1962 baseball cards: #131 Willie McCovey, #75 Rocky Bridges, and #5 Mickey Mantle. Complete Post Tens trays are extremely rare, which is why they command such high prices when they do become available.