20 Toys That Are Worth a Fortune Now
From vintage Barbies to rare Pokémon cards, these 20 toys prove that childhood nostalgia can be worth a fortune, turning simple playthings into priceless treasures for collectors.
- Alyana Aguja
- 5 min read
Some toys are more than mere playthings; they are valuable collectibles fetching jaw-dropping prices. From a limited-edition Barbie to the rare Star Wars action figure, these 20 toys are highly sought after by collectors willing to pay big money. Hundreds of thousands of dollars and more are paid for each of these prized items in the market, not due to nostalgia but the uniqueness of the toy.
1. Hot Wheels “Volkswagen Beach Bomb” (1969)
original_redlines from eBay
The prototype version of the Beach Bomb, with surfboards sticking out the back, is a collector’s dream. It never finished full production because it was too narrow to fit on Hot Wheels tracks. Today, this rare toy is worth upwards of $150,000.
2. First Edition Barbie Doll (1959)
Julie04181975 from eBay
The first Barbie doll, released in 1959, wore a black-and-white striped swimsuit and had ponytail hair. If kept in pristine condition with the box, the vintage doll can sell for over $25,000 at auction. Early Barbies are a nostalgic and valuable piece of toy history.
3. G.I. Joe Prototype (1963)
Toy Curious from eBay
The first G.I. Joe action figure was a revolutionary “movable fighting man” for boys. A well-preserved prototype can command up to $200,000. Its impact on action figures paved the way for generations of toy collectors.
4. Star Wars “Vlix” Action Figure (1988)
markpoon from eBay
Produced by Glasslite in Brazil, Vlix was part of the short-lived TV series Star Wars: Droids. Very few were manufactured and distributed, so the figure is rare. Today, it sells for approximately $10,000. Collectors love it because of its obscure connection to the Star Wars universe.
5. Beanie Baby “Princess the Bear” (1997)
bbfun21 from eBay
This is the limited-edition purple Beanie Baby made in memory of Princess Diana. Its value is highly sentimental to any collector. If it includes the rare PE pellet stuffing and an early tag, it can reach $10,000. The nostalgia market still harbors Beanie Baby mania.
6. PEZ Dispenser “Astronaut B” (1982)
car_307018 from eBay
This is one of the rarest PEZ dispensers, created as a limited prototype, which makes it very hard to find. Collectors pay more than $12,000 for this small, colorful plastic toy, which is evidence of the lasting appeal of PEZ among collectors.
7. Teddy Bear by Steiff (1904)
Modern Norse from eBay
The German toymaker Steiff produced the world’s first stuffed teddy bear. An original Steiff teddy with a button in its ear can fetch around $100,000 at auction. These bears are iconic and symbolize childhood comfort.
8. Masters of the Universe “He-Man” Action Figure (1982)
TheWorldsBestShop from eBay
Based on the hit cartoon series, he-Man’s action figure is a favorite among 80s kids. A mint-condition, packaged version can fetch $5,000 or more today. He-Man remains a hero in the vintage toy market.
9. Cabbage Patch Kids Dolls (1983)
tracy1029 from eBay
The first Cabbage Patch Kids dolls, hand-stitched by Xavier Roberts, were immediately in high demand. The early soft-sculpture dolls can fetch up to $15,000 depending on their condition, but they sell for around $3,000. They are perfect in both cuteness and nostalgia.
10. LEGO “Millennium Falcon” (2007 Ultimate Collector’s Edition)
lebricks from eBay
This 5,000+ piece LEGO Star Wars set was once sold for $500 retail but has skyrocketed in value. Due to demand and rarity, unopened sets can now command around $15,000 or more. Star Wars + LEGO is a winning formula for collectors.
11. Furby (1998, Limited Editions)
robodot from eBay
While many Furbys are standard, rare versions, like the “Wizard Furby” or “Angel Furby,” can fetch over $1,000. These interactive toys were revolutionary in the 1990s, and collectors now seek rare colorways and limited editions.
12. Mario Kart 64 (Factory Sealed, 1996)
Big Blue Retro from eBay
Retro video game collectors are after factory-sealed copies of classics such as Mario Kart 64. The Nintendo cartridge can sell for up to $10,000 if perfectly preserved. Nostalgia drives demand for these mint-conditioned games.
13. Transformers “Optimus Prime” (1984, First Edition)
MRR & Co. from eBay
Original Optimus Prime–the leader of the Autobots–was a prize among Transformers collectors. If sealed in the box, its value goes over $5,000. The toy launched a phenomenon that remains strong to this day.
14. Pokémon First Edition Holographic Charizard Card (1999)
Captain’s Cards & Collectibles from eBay
This is the holy grail of Pokémon trading cards-shiny Charizard. Graded “gem mint,” it sells for a staggering $300,000. Childhood collectibles have turned into investments as Pokémon becomes increasingly popular.
15. Tamagotchi (1996, Original Release)
Memo’s Goods from eBay
This Bandai handheld virtual pet swept through the late 1990s. Original Tamagotchis in mint condition, especially those from Japan, can fetch upwards of $3,000. The nostalgia continues, with millennials buying them up.
16. Game Boy “Special Edition” Consoles (1989)
MUNDO RETRO REUS from eBay
Game Boy revolutionized handheld gaming, and limited-edition versions (like the transparent shell or gold-plated variants) are particularly valuable. If unopened, these rare editions can fetch over $10,000. They’re perfect collector items for retro gamers.
17. Monopoly “Handmade First Edition” (1933)
mudge845 from eBay
These were the original handmade versions of Monopoly created by Charles Darrow. They are museum-worthy treasures; a surviving copy sold for $146,500 at auction. Timeless board games started from humble beginnings but became an international phenomenon.
18. My Little Pony “Rapunzel” (1984)
lanel-686 from eBay
“Rapunzel” is one of the rarest My Little Ponies due to its limited release. Pristine ponies with shiny, long manes can bring in over $2,000. Collectors seek this ultra-rare version for its whimsical charm.
19. Atari 2600 Game “Air Raid” (1982)
Just Press Play Online from eBay
This T-handled game cartridge was made in tiny quantities. A boxed version sold for $33,000 at auction. It is a treasure that every retro gamer desires—the Holy Grail of Atari.
20. Super Soaker “XP 100” Prototype (1990)
ge-autoworks from eBay
The Super Soaker XP 100 changed summer fun forever; original prototypes are now hot collector items. One of these early water guns can fetch up to $1,000. It’s a surprising treasure from childhood summers.