9 Antique Items You Could Sell for Thousands of Dollars

Caitlyn Moorhead
·5 min read
Theo Kingma / Shutterstock.com
Theo Kingma / Shutterstock.com

Whether you enjoy hunting for a good vintage find or just discovered some old boxes from your grandparents in the attic, you could have a few treasures on your hands.

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Antique items worth money could be deceiving; some are simple, some are rusted and some are limited edition, but all fetch a good price. Valuable antiques are all around you, so make sure you take good stock of your personal inventory because some could sell for hundreds of dollars, maybe even thousands.

If you have some vintage clothing, costume jewelry, old decor or other antique pieces sitting around your house in excellent condition, they could be worth a fortune. Here are some valuable items to look for that you can sell for a lot of money.

Vintage Advertising Signs

These colorful pieces of history, especially those in good condition or from well-known brands, can fetch a handsome price. Neon signs, metal signs and even cardboard displays from the early 20th century are highly sought after.

Here are some examples:

  • Rare Vintage Texaco Porcelain 42-inch (Double Sided Sign Gas Oil): $2,500 on eBay

  • Antique Porcelain Sign Gevaert Camera Store Advertising: $1,995 on vssoutlet.com

  • Vintage Eagle Stamps Porcelain Sign (Double-Sided Original): $995 on Etsy

Mid-Century Modern Furniture

The appeal of the design of these pieces lies within the sleek lines and minimalist features from the 1950s and 60s. Original pieces, especially by renowned designers like Eames or Hans Wegner, can command high prices.

There is currently an Eames Herman Miller walnut chair and ottoman on eBay currently selling for $5,500.

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Old Coins and Rare Currency

Rare coins and bills are literally a pile of money worth a lot of cash, especially those with minting errors or historical significance, which can be worth a small fortune. Even common coins from certain eras might be more valuable than their face value.

Coins worth a lot of money include the 1933 Double Eagle, 1794 Flowing Hair Dollar, 1787 Brasher Doubloon, 1861 Paquet Liberty Head Double Eagle and 1913 Liberty Head Nickel.

First Edition Books

A first edition of a classic novel, especially in good condition with its original dust jacket, can be incredibly valuable. Think about books that are considered classics like, “The Great Gatsby” or “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.”

Here are some money-making examples:

  • A 2019 pristine copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was sold for roughly $90,000 at auction.

  • One of the 22 known first-edition copies of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, with one copy being auctioned estimated price of between $2 and $3 million.

Vintage Comic Books

Comic books, especially first editions or the first appearance of major characters, can be incredibly valuable. The older and rarer, the higher the potential value. If any of these are in your collection you could be surprised just how much they’re worth:

  • Amazing Fantasy #15: Published in August 1962, and written by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. It has an estimated value ranging from $50,000 to $3,600,000, depending on condition.

  • Action Comics #1: Published in June 1938 and predominantly written by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. Its value is estimated anywhere from $175,000 up to $10,000,000, depending on condition.

  • Captain America #1: Publishing Date in March 1941 and written by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby. It is worth approximately $90,000 to $3,120,000, depending on condition.

Antique Jewelry

Fine craftsmanship and unique designs make antique jewelry highly collectible. Pieces from notable eras, like Art Deco or Victorian, or those with precious stones, can fetch high prices. For example, a vintage romantic cameo brooch or art deco cameo can fetch upwards of $1,145 on Etsy.

Vinyl Records

The nostalgia of songs from your childhood, original pressings of iconic albums or rare recordings are highly prized releases that can up the market value of your vinyl collection. Vinyl records have seen a resurgence in popularity, increasing their value, especially for collectors. The following records’ estimated value could make your head spin.

  • Wu-Tang Clan, “Once Upon a Time in Shaolin”: $2 million

  • The Beatles, “The Beatles (White Album)”: $790,000

  • Elvis Presley, “My Happiness”: $300,000

Vintage Toys and Dolls

Investing in fun can also be lucrative as toys in mint condition, especially with original packaging, can be worth a lot. Look for items like original Barbie dolls, Star Wars action figures, or early LEGO sets. Here are some great ways to play with money:

  • 1982 Series 1 GI Joe Snake Eyes 9-Back: Price on eBay on $12,500

  • Star Wars Kenner Vintage 1977 to 1985 Complete Lot of 102 Figures: Price on eBay is $38,500

  • Vintage 1985 Cabbage Patch Kids Doll In Original Box With Birth Certificate: The price on eBay is $5,000

Antique Silverware

Sterling silver flatware, tea sets, and serving pieces, particularly from high-end makers, hold significant value. The price goes up for sets with intricate designs and historical significance. Currently, a set of vintage 1990s authentic silverware is priced upwards of $2,699.95

Final Take To GO

The bottom line is that the world of antiques is vast, varied and potentially quite valuable. Whether you’re an avid collector or you’ve just inherited a pile of old items, it’s worth doing some research or consulting with an expert.

You never know – that old piece of furniture or dusty box of toys could be a hidden treasure with more value than you ever imagined.

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