Think old vintage toys that you played with all the time are just dust collectors now? Think again, because some rare toys have recently been breaking the auction records.
From Barbie Dolls to Transformers, here are the 12 highly collectible vintage toys that are selling for premium prices today!
1. Star Wars Action Figures (1970s-1980s)
These Star Wars film franchise-inspired vintage action figures were produced by Kenner starting in 1977. The original toys, especially those in the original packaging, can fetch high values today. And by huge, I mean thousands.
Also, rarer figures like the “Boba Fett rocket-firing” prototype, which never made it to production, can go for hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Another example is the Uzay Blue Stars toy from 1988 that sold for a mind-boggling price of $25,000 on eBay!
2. Barbie Dolls (1960s-1980s)
Mattel’s Barbie dolls debuted in 1959 and became a cultural icon. Over the years, Barbie dolls have had several modifications, including special editions and celebrity collaborations.
Today, the earliest editions, particularly those from the 1960s featuring a blonde-haired, blue-eyed doll in a black-and-white striped swimsuit, are one of the most valuable toys.
For rare dolls with original clothing, tags, and boxes, you can easily expect $5,000 to $10,000. Common models sell for a little less.
3. Hot Wheels (1968-Present)
In addition to Barbie, Mattel also gave us the iconic die-cast toy car, Hot Wheels! These small cars often feature bright colors with exaggerated features. But mostly they come in a wide range of themes, from cars to pop culture references.
The earliest Hot Wheels, especially the “Redline” series from the late 1960s, are highly collectible today. Some rare models like the “1968 True Yellow Custom Volkswagen” can sell for thousands of dollars, as this example sold for $4,200 on eBay!
4. Transformers Toys (1980s)
Hasbro and Takara’s transforming robot toys are wildly popular as Transformers have been a popular toy since 1984. These toys can transform from vehicles or animals into humanoid robots.
Vintage transformer toys based on popular pop culture characters like Optimus Prime and Megatron can be highly collectible today. One sold for a whopping $4,500 on eBay in January 2025!
5. GI Joe Action Figures (1964-Present)
Introduced by Hasbro in 1964, GI Joe action figures are 12-inch figures modeled after military figures. Later on, the brand shifted to smaller 3.75-inch figures in the 1980s.
Today, early GI Joe dolls from the 1960s, especially those with rare accessories, original boxes, and the rare series, like the “Big Jim” series, can fetch high returns of up to a few thousand!
6. LEGO Sets (1970s-1990s)
One of the most recognized toys, LEGO sets are interlocking plastic brick toys produced by LEGO in 1949. The earliest sets from the 1970s and 1980s, featuring simple designs, can be greatly valued today by toy collectors.
Moreover, several discontinued sets, such as the “LEGO Castle” or “LEGO Space” series, are highly collectible due to their rarity. I found a Space Set that sold for $2,495 on eBay and a castle set sold for $2,500!
7. Polly Pocket Playsets (1990s)
Featuring the Polly Pocket doll created by Chris Wiggs in 1983, the original Polly Pocket playsets were small plastic compacts with tiny dolls and accessories. The sets had various themes like houses, hospitals, or castles.
Today, the early 1990s Polly Pocket playsets and limited editions can command premium prices. Some of the most valuable sets are the Polly Pocket Jewelry Box Compact and Polly Pocket Magical Day-to-Night Playset.
However, less rare sets can also fetch a few hundred dollars if they are in their original packaging and with all the accessories intact.
8. Cabbage Patch Kids Dolls (1983)
Xavier Roberts’ soft-bodied Cabbage Patch Kids dolls became a massive craze when they were released in 1983. The dolls had distinct, quirky faces and were “adopted” by their owners, giving them a unique personal connection.
The original Cabbage Patch Kids dolls with unique facial features, rare “first edition” signatures, or hand-stitched clothing can fetch stunning values today. Similarly, limited edition dolls or those with factory errors or maker signs can also command significant value, like this signed 1979 doll worth $800!
9. Steiff Bears (Early 1900s)
German Steiff bears have been one of the most famous teddy bears in the world since 1880. They are made from mohair and have a signature metal button in their ear. Today, vintage Steiff bears from the early 1900s with original tags can fetch up to $2,000 to $5,000 or more.
10. Funko Pops (2000s-Present)
Funko Pops are vinyl collectible figures released by the Funko company since 2005, featuring large heads, black eyes, and small bodies. These are often sold in collectible boxes and are extremely loved by fans for certain characters.
These toys feature characters from various franchises, such as movies, TV shows, comics, video games, and pop culture icons. Single Funko Pop toys based on popular characters can fetch a few thousand dollars today, like Dragon Ball Z Pop sold for $6,000!
11. Fisher-Price Toys (1970s-1980s)
Fisher-Price high-quality toys have been popular since 1930. Most of its vintage toys, such as Little People figures and Play Family Houses, are iconic examples of classic childhood toys.
Today, the value of the earliest toys like the 1970s Little People sets, or early Play Family Houses, is extremely rare in near-mint condition and, hence, highly valuable. Original parts, boxes, or paperwork can also add to the toys’ value up to $500 or more.
12. Furbies (1998)
Launched by Tiger Electronics in 1998, Furbies are interactive robotic toys that “speak” a made-up language, “Furbish,” and can also “learn” other language words. Other notable features are their blinking eyes and moving mouths.
These toys were a mega-hit and were one of the most popular toys during the late 1990s. And today, they are a sensation for toy collectors.
So, do you own any of these rarest vintage toys? Don’t forget to share!
Note: This article is intended for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. Some images are illustrative and may not represent actual brands, products, or related entities. All trademarks, product names, brand logos, packaging, and other intellectual property referenced remain the exclusive property of their respective owners. Any brand mentions or references are provided solely for descriptive and educational context and do not imply any formal or commercial association.
