6 Popular Collectibles That Have Skyrocketed in Value

Researchers at the National Eye Institute and National Science Foundation conducted a $300,000 study in 2016 to find out if playing with Barbies — which was more common among the women in the study — enables women to be better at recognizing faces.

Since Barbies are made with different faces, scientists thought that women might have a gender-based advantage when it comes to memorizing how faces look. It turns out that they likely do not. So, that’s money that came out of your paycheck for no reason.

Collectibles that have generated a lot of interest happen to be linked to childhood memorabilia. Now, many people are finding out toys and items from their youth can be worth a lot of money.

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Many pop culture collectibles, from Star Wars action figures and Pez dispensers to Barbie and the first editions of “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone,” are just a few among the popular collectibles that are now very valuable.

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Star Wars

The Star Wars characters may have come from “a galaxy far, far away…” but these action figures could be close by in a basement or attic just waiting for someone to find them.

A 1978 Luke Skywalker action figure with double-telescoping saber in original packaging was estimated to be sold at Sotheby’s between $12,000 and $18,000. The 1977 original price was $1.99.

Han Solo’s faithful sidekick, Chewbacca, an action figure from 1977 and 1978 in the original package can be found for sale on eBay at the price of $1,800. Chewbacca’s original cost was $1.99.

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Pez

Pez candy, invented by Eduard Haas III in 1927 in Austria, was originally intended as an alternative to smoking. In 1957, the Halloween witch became the first traditional character head dispenser.

Some of the most valuable Pez dispensers include a 1979 Walt Disney Goofy in good condition that is valued at $2,883 on eBay.

The 1973 rare purple headed cow sells for $2,000 on eBay. Other non-purple cows have an estimated value between $100 to $550 on eBay.

The 1973 Mary Poppins with painted cheeks and no feet is valued at $1,250 on eBay. The Mary Poppins Pez dispenser without painted cheeks and no feet is worth around $750 on eBay.

Today, a Pez dispenser costs $2.29.

Harry Potter

Harry Potter, the boy wizard with a lightning-bolt shaped scar on his forehead, was created by J.K. Rowling in 1997 in her book “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.”

A hardback first-edition of the book was estimated to be sold at Sotheby’s between $100,000 and $150,000. The original price of this coveted book was a mere $16.95.

Barbie

In 1959, Ruth Handler and Mattel introduced a fashion doll named Barbie, which retailed for $3. For over six decades, Barbie has continued to evolve as a fashion icon.

The famous fashion designer Bob Mackie even designed some of Barbie’s outfits, with the 1990 Bob Mackie Gold Barbie helping to propel Barbie to collectible status. Today, the 1959 first-edition Barbie is valued at $8,000.

The most expensive Barbie doll was created by jewelry designer Stefano Canturi. It featured a necklace consisting of a rare emerald-cut Australian pink diamond weighing one full carat, surrounded by white diamonds weighing three carats and a diamond cubism ring. This bejeweled Barbie debuted in May 2010 and was priced at $632,000.

Tamagotchi

Introduced in the U.S. in May of 1997, this toy was shaped like an egg and fit in the palm of your hand. The name Tamagotchi means “egg watch.”

The toy consisted of a digital pet that hatched from an egg that required constant care to grow. Tamagotchi was programmed for the pet to die unless it was taken care of properly. Children took their Tamagotchi toys to school in order to continuously care for their “pets.”

Vintage Tamagotchi Plus Gold sells for $3,328.02 and Tamagotchi Connection V3 Golden Limited sells for $1,200 — both on eBay.

The original cost of this unique toy is not known but estimated to be between $15 and $30.

Furby

Furby is a unique toy that resembles a cross between an owl and a hamster, has its own unique language and responds to light, sound and touch. The 1998 original price for a Furby was $35.

Although original Furby toys can be found on eBay for about about the same price point as they were in 1998, the Emoto-Tronic Furby toys released in 2005, which were originally sold for around $40, can now be found for 10 times that or more on eBay.

The most expensive Furby is a vintage Bejeweled Furby, covered with emeralds, diamonds, sapphires, rubies, and 156 Swarovski crystals. Only five are in existence and are worth around $100,000 each.

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