9 Antiques That Can Sell for Thousands of Dollars

Whether you love a good vintage find or just discovered some old boxes from your grandparents in the attic, you can have a few treasures in your arms.

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Antiques that cost money can be deceiving; Some are plain, some are rusty, and some are limited edition, but they all come at a good price. Valuable antiques are all around you, so make sure you take a good look at your personal inventory because some of them can sell for hundreds of dollars, maybe even thousands.

If you have some vintage clothescostume jewelry, old decor, or other antique items in your home that are in excellent condition can be worth a fortune. Here are some valuable items to look for. 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 be very expensive. Neon signs, metal signs and even cardboard displays from the early 20th century are in high demand.

Here are some examples:

Rare Vintage Texaco Porcelain 42″ (Reversible Gasoline Sign): $2,500 on eBay.
Antique porcelain sign. Gevaert Camera Store Ad: $1,995 at vssoutlet.com.
Vintage Porcelain Eagle Stamp Plaque (Double Sided Original): $995 on Etsy.

Mid-Century Modern Furniture

The design appeal of these products lies in the smooth lines and minimalist features. 1950s and 60s. Original pieces, especially from famous designers such as Eames or Hans Wegner, can be expensive.

An Eames Herman Miller walnut chair and ottoman are currently listed on eBay for $5,500.

Old coins and rare currency

Rare coins and notes are literally a ton of money, worth a lot of money, especially those that have minting errors or have historical significance and can be worth a small fortune. Even common coins from certain eras can be more valuable than their face value.

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

First edition books

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

Here are some examples of earnings:

A pristine copy of 2019’s Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone sold at auction for approximately $90,000.
One of only 22 known copies of the first edition of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, one copy sold at auction with an estimated price of $2 million to $3 million.

Vintage comics

Comics, especially first editions or the first appearances of main characters, can be incredibly valuable. The older and rarer the higher the potential value. If you have any of these in your collection, you might be surprised how much they cost:

Amazing Fantasy #15: Published August 1962 from a screenplay by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. Its estimated value ranges from $50,000 to $3,600,000, depending on condition.
Action #1: Published June 1938 and written primarily by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. Its value is estimated between $175,000 and $10,000,000, depending on condition.
Captain America #1: Publication date: March 1941, written by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby. It is valued at approximately $90,000 to $3,120,000, depending on condition.

Antique jewelry

Fine craftsmanship and unique designs make antique jewelry highly collectible. Pieces from famous eras, such as Art Deco or Victorian, or items with precious stones can be expensive. For example, a vintage romantic cameo brooch or art deco cameo brooch can cost over $1,145 on Etsy.

Vinyl records

Nostalgia for songs from your childhood, original pressings of cult albums, or rare recordings are highly prized releases that can increase the market value of your vinyl collection. Vinyl records have seen a resurgence in popularity, increasing their value, especially to collectors. The estimated value of the following entries may 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 entertainment can also be lucrative, as toys in excellent condition, especially those in the original packaging, can fetch a very high price. Look for items like original barbie dollsStar Wars action figures or early LEGO sets. Here are some great ways to play for money:

1982 Episode 1 GI Joe Snake Eyes 9-Back: Price on eBay: $12,500.
Kenner Star Wars Vintage 1977-1985 Complete Lot of 102 Figures: Price on eBay: $38,500.
Vintage 1985 Cabbage Patch Children’s Doll in Original Box with Birth Certificate: Price on eBay: $5,000.

Antique silver

Sterling silver cutlery, tea sets and serving pieces, especially from high-end makers, hold significant value. The price increases for sets with complex designs and historical significance. A set of vintage, authentic 1990s cutlery is currently priced at over $2,699.95.

Final take

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

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

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