Buzz
In my opinion, the '90s outshine the present in several ways, especially in the realm of rare toys, music, TV shows, and fashion. If you were lucky enough to own some of those highly sought-after items from that era, it's worth taking a closer look at your collection—you could be sitting on a goldmine.
Even a single, rare Transformer action figure could have you cashing in for hundreds of dollars. Stick around to discover which '90s collectibles are now commanding top prices in today's market.
10. Hot Wheels Funny Cars
To date, over a billion Hot Wheels cars have hit the market. While most are inexpensive, certain rare editions and prototypes can fetch hundreds of dollars, with their value increasing over time. For instance, one of the original Hot Wheels models resembling a white Camaro is now valued at $2,500, and collectors are willing to pay more if it’s in pristine condition.
One of the priciest Hot Wheels models is the Cheetah Python. Designed by Bill Cushenberry, it was inspired by a dream he had. Initially, the collection wasn't meant for public release, but a few pieces made their way out of the factory, now fetching nearly $10,000.
The Cash Money Hot Wheels stands as the most expensive car in the entire Hot Wheels lineup. Its body is adorned with real diamonds and framed in 18-karat gold. To top it off, it features red-cut rubies in the brake lights and several other extravagant details. Only one was ever made, and it’s now worth an impressive $140,000.
9. Furby Toy
Debuting in 1998, Furby toys sold an astounding 1.8 million units in their first year. While not the most groundbreaking toy, it was one of the first to mimic words, making it an instant hit with kids. While Furbys used to cost only a few dollars, certain models are now fetching hundreds of dollars from collectors, especially those with a spooky owl-like design.
If you happen to own a Furby from one of the exclusive collections and it's still in pristine condition, you might want to consider selling it. Take the Bejeweled Furby, for instance. Only five were ever released, and while it originally cost $100,000, it could now bring in a much higher price.
The highest-priced Furby ever sold on the secondary market was listed on eBay, where it eventually went for over $4550, a jaw-dropping amount despite its flawless condition.
Even without being from an exclusive collection, your Furby could still fetch over $500 on the market, which might not be a fortune, but it's a tenfold increase from its original price.
8. Pokémon Cards
If you were a Pokémon enthusiast in the ‘90s and splurged on rare cards, you may have made a savvy investment. While the value of Pokémon cards has been declining, many are still worth a small fortune.
There are more than 20 card collections that could make you a millionaire, but the Pikachu Illustrator card is the most valuable. YouTuber Logan Paul bought it for $5.275 million in July 2021, sparking a social media frenzy. Given that there are only 40 of these cards in circulation, it’s worth checking your collection.
A true classic is the first edition of the Shadowless Holographic Charizard, released in 1999. This card is so rare that it is widely regarded as one of the most coveted, with one selling for a staggering $420,000 at an auction in 2022.
While the Pokémon Blastoise may not hold the title of the priciest card on the market, it is certainly the rarest. Only two copies were ever made, with only one currently traceable. In 2021, this card was sold for $360,000 in a private auction.
If you happen to have any original Pokémon cards in your possession, it's a good idea to have them appraised. While they may not be worth millions, there’s a good chance that a collector or fan will pay a solid price for them.
7. Disney VHS Tapes
Nothing quite compares to the nostalgic feeling of rewatching beloved Disney movies from your childhood. While today’s Disney streaming service provides easy access to classics, in the '90s, VHS tapes were the go-to method, with Disney frequently pulling titles in and out of their vault. At times, certain movies weren’t available for years after their original VHS release.
If you happen to own Disney VHS tapes with the iconic black diamond label, it might be time to put them up for sale as they are highly valuable. The value increases if you have a collection—one seller has even listed his entire VHS collection for a staggering $150,000.
In 2019, a black diamond Beauty and the Beast VHS tape was sold for $10,000, drawing the attention of many collectors. However, you’ll need to be strategic when listing these tapes, as there’s an ongoing debate on whether they should be worth more than $30. Finding someone who sees their true worth could be tough.
6. Michael Jordan Jersey
Sports enthusiasts often go to great lengths to own memorabilia of their favorite athletes. A prime example of this is when Michael Jordan’s jersey from the first game of the 1998 NBA Finals was sold for $10 million at an Invictus auction, nearly breaking the world record.
Surprisingly, the jersey, which had a sky-high starting price, attracted 20 bids. It could have fetched even more had the buyer not stunned the crowd with his final, unbeatable offer.
5. Black Lotus Magic Card
If you believed trading cards were cheap, you'd be mistaken. The Black Lotus card from Magic: The Gathering is one of the priciest cards ever sold. In 2021, it was auctioned on eBay for an eye-popping $511,100, tripling the price the seller had paid for it in 2019. Based on historical trends, its value is expected to continue rising over time.
The reason this card is valued so highly is due to its rarity—it was the very first card produced in the collection and bears the author's signature on its packaging. Additionally, its unique design, which was later discontinued, adds to its exclusivity.
Did I also mention that when a player draws this card during a game, they can cast powerful spells that give them a strategic advantage?
4. Action Figures
Action figures are among the most expensive collectibles from the '90s. While many hesitate to spend money on new action figures, the originals, particularly those tied to popular films, are worth millions.
One prime example is the Rocket-firing Boba Fett, which was set to be released alongside the Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back movie. Unfortunately, it was never mass-produced and is now valued at over $200,000.
Another high-priced collectible is the handmade prototype for G.I Joe, which fetched $600,000 at auction. While the mass-produced versions were more affordable in the '90s, today they can be resold for hundreds of dollars.
Interestingly, some of the priciest action figures are those that didn't pass beta testing for the Star Wars franchise and were never officially released. A notable example is the Obi-Wan Kenobi figure, which recently sold for $65,000.
Finally, if you're one of the 12 individuals who own a tri-logo General Madine, you're sitting on a fortune. Due to its extreme rarity, it recently sold for $12,500 at auction, even though it was originally purchased for only a few hundred dollars when it debuted in 1983.
3. The Classic Harry Potter Editions
When the first Harry Potter novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, debuted in the 1990s, it wasn’t the global phenomenon it is today. Only a select group of passionate readers picked up one of the 500 hardcover editions that were initially made available.
To put this into perspective, 300 out of the 500 hardcover books were gifted to children's libraries and schools, leaving just 200 for the general public. AbeBooks notes that a single copy from this rare batch could now be worth upwards of 30,000 euros. If you own an original edition, check the print line for '10987654321' and ensure the author’s name reads Joanne Rowling instead of JK Rowling.
If you happen to possess the first edition hardcover of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, it could easily be listed for $5000. To verify whether your book qualifies, look for the print line '1357910864289/9 0/0 01 02' alongside the label 'first American edition, October 1998.'
In conclusion, all first-edition hardcover copies from the Harry Potter series are now worth four figures or more. Even original paperback editions bearing JK Rowling's signature can fetch impressive prices on the market.
2. The Beanie Babies Craze
If you grew up in the ’90s, chances are you had at least one Beanie Babies toy at some point. Many of these were discarded over the years, but you may be surprised to learn they are now fetching substantial amounts of money. To make your Beanie Baby valuable today, it must have its original TY tag and be in perfect condition.
For instance, the Princess Di Bear Beanie can sell for nearly $10,000. This high value is mainly due to its connection to Princess Diana, with only a limited number ever produced. But that’s not all—remember the Bubbles Beanie?
Some of the Beanies from that collection can now make you up to $120,000 richer. It’s easy to see why, considering it was one of the most highly sought-after collections, with limited availability.
A rare Valentino Beanie Bear was even spotted on Etsy, valued at $43,000. Many other Beanie Babies from the collection are now worth a great deal. If you can dig them out of the attic and find the right box, it could be time to cash in!
1. Jurassic Park Collectibles
Every time a new Jurassic Park film was released, accompanying toys inspired by the movie's characters hit the shelves, and they would often sell out within days. While many of these toys were mass-produced, some were limited editions, which the original owners would later resell for a premium over the initial price.
One of the most coveted Jurassic Park toys is the series two Carnotaurus Demon. If you own one in its original packaging along with the accessories, it could now be worth over $1,000.
When Jurassic 3 came out, it introduced the infrared remote control spinosaurus. At the time, it didn’t seem extraordinary, but since the film didn't perform as expected and only a small number of these toys were made, demand skyrocketed. Today, if your toy is in mint condition, you could easily start eBay bidding at $900 and expect a solid return.
