Whether it be your annual spring cleaning, time for a summer yard sale, or you’re just plum tired, tuckered out with the view of attic-space clutter, you have decided that these vintage items and antiques need to thorough examining.
For whichever reason you are at this stage, hands-on-hips, wondering “just what is all this stuff?” bear in mind that the price tags you prepare to assign to random antique knickknacks are potentially higher than you’ve expected!
While many items from the latter half of the 20th century may serve only to take up your space, you should look out for a few key things!
Gaming equipment
Vintage consoles such as SNES consoles, Magnavox Odyssey, or a Sega Genesis go for hundreds or thousands, especially if they’re still in the box.
War Memorabilia
Any war memorabilia might fetch a decent price, but selected mementos from WWII or the Civil War have sold upwards of $40,000.
Vintage Clothing
Certain vintage clothing items, such as cowboy hats, or fine jewelry, are often worth thousands.
Record Players
Thorens Linn, Micro Seiki, or Denon record players, and a few other brands are worth a few hundred. But bear in mind that not all record players boast this average.
Baseball Cards
One vintage item you’d probably expect on this list - baseball cards - in good condition, can be worth thousands, each.
Beanie Babies
Beanie Babies are another predictable entry on this list. The older ones with tags on can snatch up hundreds.
American Girl Dolls
American Girl Dolls rake in some dough, especially those still in their package or with unique features. Some of these dolls go for thousands!
Rugs
Rugs, specifically antique Persian rugs, have shattered records for how high bidders are willing to go to acquire one. The older ones in pristine condition bring in top dollar.
Coca-Cola Merch
Vintage Coca-Cola advertisements or specialty items can bring in hundreds for something once commonplace and commercial.
Office Supplies
Older office supplies, such as antique typewriters, coffee machines, or specialty pens from some brands are worth hundreds.
Sterling Silver
Anything made from sterling silver that carries a brand name, such as utensils or jewelry from vintage corporations, has a double-value.
Antique Furniture
Antique furniture, if well-preserved or from a prestigious background, will shock you with its price value!
Art
With anything original and irreplaceable, paintings especially go for a ton, especially if authenticated with the mark of the artist.
Old Money (Coins and Bills)
Trade money for more money; antique quarters can pull in hundreds or thousands.
Comic Books
Vintage comic books pull in their weight times a thousand. Careful, you can easily overlook them with an untrained eye.
Stamps
Stamps, especially commemorative editions or from pivotal points in history, can bring in good money.
Old Toys
Although some older toys may seem like junk, some vintage action figures can pull in hundreds or more per piece.
Star Wars
On the geeky side, most things Star Wars, especially earlier releases, are worth lots of money.
Watches
Antique watches, especially vintage, original pocket watches, have broken records.
Vintage Coin Banks
Coin banks with mechanical features from vintage periods tend to get snatched up pretty quickly by collectors.
Milk Glass Eggs
Hand-blown antique milk glass eggs, are often worth hundreds in a set. Having them in mint condition is a steal!
Antique Dishware
Engraved antique dishware, such as bowls and plates, may have worth depending on their age, with older relics garnering the most attention.
Shoes
Vintage wedgies from the ‘70s typically go for hundreds, and other brands of women’s shoes do the same!
Quilts
Antique Yo-Yo quilts from the earlier part of the last century are often worth a few hundred.
Polly Pocket
Polly Pocket from as late as the ‘90s bring in cash.
Pokemon
Pokemon cards now rival baseball cards in terms of vintage collector’s items, with certain ones yielding tens of thousands.
Taxidermy
Antique taxidermy goes for thousands, with the general rule being the quality of preservation.
Appliances
Certain vintage appliances from just a few decades ago pull in hundreds, for example, a Hoover 738 from the ‘60s, etc.
Pyrex
Antique Pyrex dishware pulls in a few hundred. Known for durability, your mother’s or grandmother’s old kitchen set sitting in your attic is worth more than just memories.
Books
First-edition printed books from a few decades ago have racked up a price tag with their reputations. Use a book search engine to determine the worth of your attic library!
Original Apple Equipment
Apple 1 or Apple II computers are worth tens of thousands. Your parent’s old computer might require a second opinion.
Telephones
Brick phones from earlier decades are often worth thousands.
Bottles and Jars
Antique bottles and mason jars are collectors’ dreams and are worth ten times the glass used to make them.
While not all the antiques or vintage items you come across have selling potential, it’s always a good idea to do a quick scan to see what treasures lie right under your nose!
