Vintage Perfume Bottles
We’ve always been taught that it’s the inside that counts. But when it comes to perfume bottles, it’s exactly the other way around!
19th-century perfume bottles were way fancier than they are today, and they’re usually sold on eBay or at auctions for at least $4,000.
Antique Cookie Jars
It’s hard to believe that a cookie jar can be sold for as much as $3,200. Obviously, we’re talking about the ones made back in the 1940s or 50s.
According to PBS’ antique evaluator Reyne Hirsch, the cookie jars that collectors usually go after are the ones that come in the shape of famous cartoon characters, like the one in the picture.
David Bowie’s “Diamond Dogs” Vinyl
Very few people know that David Bowie’s Diamond Dogs vinyl was banned back in 1974, as apparently, it was too much for people to handle.
The banned cover contains a caricatured version of Bowie, with his lower body parts replaced with dogs' body parts. This iconic, limited-edition cover can be sold for at least $2,500.
Pyrex
Pyrex cookware hit the market over a century ago and is often praised for being unbreakable. The ones that date from the 1920s and 30s are also famous for their bright colors.
Pyrex lids alone can be sold at $100, with full vintage Pyrex sets being sold at over one grand. Search through your kitchen cabinets. You may probably own one yourself!
Trunks
Most people that have trunks use them to store all sorts of garbage that they never ever use. What might make you rich isn’t the garbage inside the trunk, but the trunk itself!
Antique evaluator Marsha Dixey claims that trunks from the 1880s can be sold for at least $700 because back then, trunks were made strong enough to endure rough wagon travel.
Boy Scout Badges
Parents who are proud of their kids usually love showcasing their Boy Scout badges, which they usually hang on the living room walls. But guess what?
According to Collectors Weekly, old Boy Scout badges can be sold for as much as $1,200. In August 2019, one of these badges was sold on eBay for a whopping $4,500. Come on, parents. It’s time to let go!
Old CDs
If you were born before the turn of the century, that probably means you grew up listening to your favorite artists on CDs. However, nowadays, these objects are nothing but ancient fossils.
Not only have they become obsolete, but they can also make you wealthy! For example, Coldplay’s 1998 album Safety EP is worth up to $1,500, while Paris Hilton’s 2006 album London can be sold for over $12,000. Crazy!
Old Coins
For most people, coins are simply annoying. They’re those things you always keep in your wallet but never use. Plus, they’re practically worthless!
Well, if you thought coins were useless, think again. Ancient coins can literally be worth thousands. For instance, In 2007, a coin from the early 18th century was sold at a whopping $200,000!
Costume Jewelry
Did you know that old costume gems are amongst the most coveted antiquities? It’s unlikely that you have one of these at home, but it wouldn’t hurt to check! Here’s a random item you probably didn’t expect to find on this list.
In 2019, Italian fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli sold one of her antique jewelry costumes for $5,000 on eBay. Not bad!
Tiffany Lamps
Even though they’ve grown out of fashion, we’re sure your grandparents had one of these tacky tiffany lamps, as they were super trendy half a century ago.
Before throwing your grandparents’ lamps into the garbage, you should know they’re worth tons of money. If it’s in good shape, it can be sold at any price between $4,000 and $1 million.
Old Advertising Signs
Millennials may not know this, but there was a time when signs were hanging from shops or pubs advertising what was available instead of Internet announcements.
You should know that these vintage signs are now worth a fortune. Just recently, a man sold a Coca-Cola sign on eBay for $5,700.
Old Stamps
Fifty years ago or so, collecting stamps was as common as collecting magnets today. If you happen to have inherited your grandparents’ stamp collection, then we’ve got great news for you: you’ll make a fortune!
As of January 2020, sets of vintage stamps have been sold for up to $90,000 on eBay. In fact, original 19th-century Jefferson stamps have been valued at nearly half a million.
China Sets
We’ve all got a fancy dinner set that we never use and that is permanently stored in the cabinet, gathering piles of dust. Even though you can get a china dish at Walmart for just a few bucks, an ancient one can be worth a fortune.
China dishes became a thing towards the end of the 18th century. Those dating from that time can be sold at over ten grand.
Cuckoo Clocks
We wonder if there’s a more incredible way of finding out the time than having a bird emerge out of a wooden hole and sing a sweet melody.
As you probably imagined, there’s a great cuckoo clock resale market going on. As of August 2019, they were worth well beyond $2,000.
VHS Tapes
Even though VHS tapes are now virtually useless, they’re a rather coveted item among collectors. But how can you know if your VHS is actually worth good money?
The movies that can make you rich are the less popular ones that didn’t make it to DVD. For instance, Disney’s controversial film Song of the South can be sold for over $50,000.
Rocking Chairs
Rocking chairs are way more than a tool to make babies fall asleep. They’re also great money-makers! Rocking chairs produced before the 1800s that are still in good shape can make you rich.
But don’t worry, they don’t even have to be that old. An eBay user recently sold his chair for nearly $5,000, which was only from the 1970s!
Game Boys
Whoever was born in the 90s probably spent long hours playing with these gadgets. Gameboys hit the market in 1989, and they soon became every kid in the world’s dream toy.
Since they’re no longer produced nor sold, they’re currently sold at any price between $750 and $2,000. In 2019, a new, unopened Gameboy was sold on eBay for a whopping $4,000.
Signed Yearbooks
Who would ever want to buy a yearbook belonging to anyone but themselves? What’s the point? Well, here’s the deal.
Your parents’ or grandparents’ yearbooks might actually be worth a fortune if they shared the class with anyone who went on to become famous. A yearbook with the photo of James Dean was recently sold for $10,500.
Comics
Vintage comic books are one of the most sold antiquities in the US. Their price depends on several factors, the date and number of copies being the most decisive.
In 2014, a copy of The Incredible Hulk’s first comic book was sold for $320,000 at an auction. If the superhero in your comic book has its own movie, then that means you’ve won the jackpot.
Weathervanes
Weathervanes have definitely grown old. They’re meant to point in which direction the wind blows, but that’s something we can all check from our smartphones in the blink of an eye.
Despite their uselessness, you should know that 19th-century weathervanes can be sold at any price ranging from $5,000 and $7,000.
Vintage Lunch Boxes
Who would’ve thought that something as random as a lunchbox could make you rich? But don’t get too excited. Only the ones with retro decorations will do the trick.
Lunchboxes that are decorated with iconic cartoon characters or rock bands can be sold for over $1,000. A 1954 Superman lunchbox has recently been sold at a record-breaking $13,000!
Vintage Band T-Shirts
Vintage band T-Shirts can be worth thousands, especially those featuring iconic rock tours. For instance, the Nirvana “In Utero” Tour T-shirt was sold at a whopping $7,000, and this is not even the most shocking figure!
In 2011, this Beatles fan made $20,000 after selling a T-Shirt of Yesterday and Today, one of the band’s least known albums. If you ever bought a rock band shirt at a famous festival, try selling them on eBay in three decades or so!
Original Star Wars Toys
If you grew up in the 1980s, chances are that you have all sorts of Star Wars merchandise lying around somewhere in your house.
Nowadays, an original Luke Skywalker toy can be sold for up to $25,000, and Falcon Millennium ships can earn you over $3,000.
Soda Crates
Curiously enough, the soda industry underwent a creative boom in the early 20th century. Local drugstores started delivering the items in cool, hand-stenciled crates.
These simple yet unique wooden crates can be sold in the market for at least $200, while the newer ones from the 1960s are priced at nearly $20.
Dollhouses
These simple yet unique wooden crates can be sold in the market for at least $200, while the newer ones from the 1960s are priced at nearly $20.
British toymaker Lines Bros designed the largest and most iconic dollhouses. They’re known as the circa 1924 Tudor. They are usually sold for at least $2,000.
Cast-Iron Mailboxes
In the early 20th century, the famous company Griswold, which specializes in iron kitchen products, started producing unique cast-iron mailboxes.
It’s not a common object to own, but if you do, you should know they’re easily worth $400. The unpainted version is worth way more, for some reason.
Music Cabinets
Classical sheet music cabinets became a trend in England somewhere around the late 19th century. Contrary to what its name suggests, its purpose isn’t really to hold records.
The furniture’s upper shelves were actually used to hold sheet music based on size or category. Nowadays, an early 20th-century sheet music cabinet can be sold for over $3,000.
Stetson Hats
The cowboy hat trend was started by John Patterson Stetson sometime around 1865. They were designed with a wide brim, which was meant to shade both the eyes and neck.
According to antique appraiser Helaine Fendelman, if they come with the original box, they can be sold for up to $1,000, even if they come with small stains.
Outdated Technology
Nowadays, most people aim at having the most modern cell phone or laptop. However, don’t let go of the older ones as some people will be willing to pay fortunes for them.
If your granddad happened to own an original Gibson guitar, then you’re about to amass a 33,000-dollar fortune. However, all sorts of vintage guitars are yearned by collectors. It doesn’t have to be a Gibson!
Undying Silverware
Why would anyone ever think of collecting forks? There’s no rational answer to this question, but the bottom line is that complete sets of Sterling silverware are worth loads of money.
As hard as it is to believe, sets of undying silverware can be sold for up to $2,000. You better thank your grandma if there’s any set lying around at home!