Arcade Games
Arcade games, while they may not work anymore, can still be worth hundreds of dollars. Working games, on the other hand, can be sold for more than $600 up to $2,500. Naturally, some titles are more expensive. A game called “Food Fight by Atari” is listed on eBay for around $8,000, while another one, Saint Laurent Neo Legend, is at approximately $7,000.
Pong and Asteroids are valued at $2,000 and $1,000 respectively. So it might be worth the effort of having the moving company bring along the bulky machine from your parents’ house to yours when you decide to become independent. These are collectibles from our youth that can contribute to our finances come adulthood. If you’re thinking about investing in one—choose carefully!
Air Jordans
Many sneaker collectors consider their purchases as investments. Sure, Air Jordans might only be glorified shoes to some—but these can still fetch a good price when resold. Should you be in a pinch, you can easily sell these off. There have been stories of people selling valuables, including their treasured Air Jordans, in order to collect cash quickly.
If you are among those who got the first batch of these sneakers, you could sell them for upwards of $560,000—that is how much the very first Air Jordan was sold for. It has Michael Jordan’s autograph, so that drove the price higher. Got a pristine pair from 1984? You would be surprised at how quickly these could sell online.
Turntables
We have modern versions nowadays, but there’s quite a charm to older varieties of turntables. Did you know that those considered as being of “old money” usually have a turntable or two to play their collection vinyl records? AV Design Haus’ Dereneville VPM is the most expensive turntable at the moment. This is priced at $650,000.
You may not have this exact model, but the more common Micro Seiki brand is sold at around $7,900 online. Music, to a degree, is certainly something that most of us love and collecting memorabilia related to it, such as turntables, stereo equipment, and stereo receivers are gaining a huge market nowadays. Who knows? There might be turntable or two in your family’s storage, waiting to be discovered.
Beanie Babies
Regardless of generation, stuffed toys have always been popular. They serve as gestures of romance and friendship. The Beanie Babies, created by American businessman H. Ty Warner became popular in the 1990s because of the huggable feel to them. They are stuffed with plastic beans instead of the standard PVC. Those in mint condition, with the price tag still attached to them, are usually valued more.
These limited-edition toys also have a higher resale value. Princess Diana beanies, for example, are usually sold for at least $30,000. We know how people from the 1980s onwards valued Princess Diana. For avid collectors of Beanie Babies, those can be worth a huge investment someday, when they are considered as antiques.
RCA Victor Radios
RCA closed in 1986, but its name is still widely used today. We often associate them with cables used when connecting to the DVD player or a DVR. However, from the 1920s to the 1980s, RCA was the major player in everything electronic. They can be compared to Apple or Samsung. Their Radiola line, complete with an Art-deco style console and wooden radios became the fad during the 1930s and 1940s, especially after the war.
When the use of plastic boomed, RCA also started designing their popular radios with colorful designs using Bakelite and non-resin plastic. Despite the presence of electricity, battery-powered radios, especially in far-flung areas, were still in demand. The resale price of these vintage radios can reach $4,000.
Legos
Several generations have now grown up playing Legos as a child. Many of us used Legos as a way of expressing our creativity. It helped us hone certain skills along with our imaginations. It isn’t too surprising that there are those looking to relive those memories. So how much do these blocks fetch when resold? Specific figurines from movies and other famous franchises can sell for at least $10.
A figure of the Statue of Liberty, for example, sells online for at least $100. Hagrid’s Hut is worth $79.99. You can also sell them as loose pieces. If you have kept your collection throughout the years, you may want to get it assessed. Who knows? It might just bring you investment money.
Duck Decoys
These fake ducks are usually carved from cedar wood or cork. They became highly sought after as a collectible back in the mid-20th century, and the prices are relatively high for those in pristine conditions. The average selling price for a duck decoy is about $100, which is not a bad amount.
The price is steep because most of the older decoys, especially if they have been used before, have their heads cut or snapped off. Do you have anyone in your family who loved to hunt? They might have some of these lying around. A rare 1902 duck decoy, for example, was once listed at $6,350 online. You might need a personal loan for these since some can fetch as much as $650,000.
Pokemon Cards
There is an ongoing joke that Pokemon Go holds the record for the most short-lived fad. But for the avid Pokémon fans, it has not died yet. You’ll find them on various social media platforms, still raving about how enjoyable the game is. The same enthusiasm applies when it comes to collecting Pokémon cards.
As the generation who grew up playing these are now slowly finding their place in the world as working adults, they are able to set aside a bit of investment money toward their hobby. Perhaps, to get the rarer cards that were out of reach before. Those with unique designs from the 1990s to the early 2000s are sold online for as much as $50,000 per set.
Vintage Yearbooks
Collecting mementos is mostly driven by nostalgia first and the possibility of resale second. This is true when it comes to yearbooks. These mementos are sought-after, especially for those looking to relive a once-happy past when everything seemed easy. Back when one did not have problems with money, gas or housing—it was just bliss.
Old yearbooks can be sold for $26 on average, but if there is something special about it, they can be sold for a higher price. For example, a 1954 yearbook with the picture of John Mathis is being sold online for $2,200. So if ever you come across yearbooks in a garage sale, try to see if there are any famous celebrities in it and have it assessed.
Baseball Cards
These cards are trading cards that feature baseball players, stadiums or celebrities. While they are usually printed on paper, their value can increase over time if they are kept in excellent conditions. They are just like comic books, with their worth increasing over time. But similarly, not all baseball cards are given credit as worthy of the money. The 1952 Topps #311 Mickey Mantle and the 1916 (M101-5) Sporting News Babe Ruth Rookie Card are easily worth millions of dollars.
On the other hand, a 1993 Sports Cards #11 Albert Belle Baseball Card Lot Cleveland Indians is only worth $14.99. Knowing which costs more requires in-depth knowledge of these baseball cards. Even if you do find a collection of cards at home, the previous owner might have already removed the more expensive one.