Buzz
In today’s world of easy-to-access digital music, it’s hard to picture a time when cassette tapes ruled the music scene. But in the ‘80s and ‘90s, tapes were king, even overtaking vinyl as the go-to format for music lovers (and for impressing a potential romantic interest).
These days, holding physical music feels almost nostalgic compared to its digital counterparts. While cassette tapes are slowly making a return, most people don’t think of them as valuable collectibles—yet they’d be mistaken. A prime example is the rare demo tape from Linkin Park (originally released under their former name, Xero), which recently fetched around $4500.
You don’t need rare demos or hard-to-find gems to profit from your cassette tapes. While first editions or still-sealed tapes typically bring in the highest resale prices, you can still make a solid profit even if they’ve been opened. With that in mind, we’ve scoured eBay for the most valuable cassette finds from the ‘80s and ‘90s that might just be gathering dust in your closet.
1. Pearl Jam // Ten (1991)
Pearl Jam’s groundbreaking debut album Ten played a key role in the explosion of grunge and alternative rock in the ‘90s. It also remains the band’s most commercially successful album, selling over 15 million copies and giving us anthems like “Even Flow” and “Jeremy,” the latter of which featured a memorable music video that was frequently aired on MTV.
If you’re lucky enough to have a sealed, first edition of Ten on cassette, you could score as much as $4000 on eBay. While other copies have sold for less, they still range between $400 and $700, with a used version typically priced around $20.
2. Nirvana // Nevermind (1991)
It’s easy to understand why Nirvana’s second album Nevermind is worth so much today. In January 1992, it reached the top spot on the Billboard 200, and its iconic lead single, “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2017.
Despite the controversy surrounding Nevermind in recent years—specifically, Spencer Elden, the naked baby on the cover, who sued Nirvana in 2021 for claims of sexual exploitation and emotional distress—it remains an iconic piece of the alt-rock movement. If you have a completely sealed copy, it could fetch up to $1500 on eBay. If it’s unsealed, you can still sell it for around $50 or more.
3. Beastie Boys // Licensed to Ill (1986)
The Beastie Boys’ debut album, Licensed to Ill, marked several milestones: In March 1987, it became the first hip-hop album to reach the top of the Billboard 200. It was also certified diamond in 2015, having sold 10 million copies in the U.S.—a feat no other hip-hop album from the ‘80s has achieved.
If you have an unsealed cassette of this album hidden away, you could potentially make up to $1500 by selling it on eBay. Used versions typically go for around $25 to $40.
4. Metallica //
Ride the Lightning (1984)
Named after a line from Stephen King’s novel The Stand, Metallica’s Ride the Lightning was profoundly shaped by the legendary bassist Cliff Burton, whose influence helped evolve the band’s thrash metal sound on their sophomore album. Often regarded as one of their finest, it includes classic tracks like “For Whom the Bell Tolls” and “Creeping Death.” It’s also noteworthy for being the last album to feature contributions from Dave Mustaine (who later formed Megadeth) and the first to include lead guitarist Kirk Hammett.
Sealed cassette versions of Ride the Lightning can fetch as much as $1000 on eBay, and even used tapes can be surprisingly valuable, with prices around $150. If you have one of the original green-sleeve editions, a rare misprint released in France and a coveted collectible among metal fans, you could potentially get $200 to $300 for it.
5. Nas // Illmatic (1994)
Nas’s groundbreaking debut album Illmatic featured an iconic cover of the rapper (born Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones) as a 7-year-old, set against a city-block backdrop. The album sold 60,000 copies in its first week and is hailed as a defining moment for East Coast rap. It is now widely regarded as one of the greatest hip-hop albums ever. In 2021, it was even inducted into the Library of Congress’s National Recording Registry.
You can sell a sealed cassette of Illmatic on eBay for as much as $900. Even used copies can bring in a nice profit, with many selling for around $150.
6. Alanis Morissette // Jagged Little Pill (1995)
Although it was Alanis Morissette’s third studio album, 1995’s Jagged Little Pill marked her first international release. The worldwide exposure paid off big: The album sold over 33 million copies globally, making it one of the bestselling albums of all time. It was later nominated for nine Grammy awards, winning five, and even inspired a musical that premiered in 2018 at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, Massachusetts, before eventually making its way to Broadway and going on tour.
Tracks like “You Oughta Know” and “Ironic” remain timeless classics for ‘90s fans, and if you have a sealed copy of Jagged Little Pill, you could sell it for up to $600 on eBay. An unsealed version? You can expect to get around $10.
7. The Notorious B.I.G. // Ready to Die (1994)
The first studio album from The Notorious B.I.G. (a.k.a. Christopher Wallace), Ready to Die, makes the list. With iconic tracks like “Big Poppa” and “Juicy,” it brought renewed attention to the East Coast rap scene and solidified Biggie’s legacy as one of the most influential figures in ‘90s hip-hop (and arguably, in the genre as a whole).
However, there’s a bittersweet element to it, as it was sadly the only full album Biggie released during his lifetime. His second album, Life After Death, was released on March 25, 1997, just 16 days after his tragic murder. Sealed cassettes of Ready to Die can fetch $500 to $600 on eBay, while used versions typically sell for around $90.
8. Snoop Dogg // Doggystyle (1993)
If this list is any indication, debut albums seem to hold the most value as time goes on. A perfect example? Snoop Dogg’s 1993 debut, Doggystyle, which also makes the cut. Debuting at No. 1 on the charts, it set records by selling an astounding 806,000 copies in its first week and became the fastest-selling hip-hop album at the time—until Eminem’s Marshall Mathers LP was released in 2000.
Hits like “Gin and Juice” and “What’s My Name” both earned gold certifications from the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America), helping to propel West Coast hip-hop into the mainstream. A sealed copy of this cassette can sell for over $500 on eBay (though it usually averages around $330). If you’re parting with a used version, expect to get around $30 to $60.
9. Madonna // Madonna (1983)
Madonna’s eponymous debut album, Madonna, spent an impressive 168 weeks on the Billboard charts, thanks to iconic hits like “Lucky Star” and “Borderline.” However, it was Madonna’s unique style that really captured the public’s attention. With her bangles, black lace gloves, mesh-knit tank tops, and voluminous teased hair, the Desperately Seeking Susan actress became a fashion icon, influencing teens and tweens who eagerly emulated her look.
This album was re-released in 1985 under the title Madonna: The First Album. If you’re lucky enough to find an international release of the 1983 sealed cassette, you could sell it for $250 to $350 on eBay. Used versions are still worth a good deal, ranging between $30 and $65 depending on their condition.
10. Jay-Z // Reasonable Doubt (1996)
While Jay-Z is now better known for his entrepreneurial ventures and being married to Beyoncé, in the ‘90s, he was already establishing himself as a formidable force in music. His debut studio album, Reasonable Doubt, didn’t see worldwide fame until his third album, 1998’s Vol. 2 ... Hard Knock Life, but it nonetheless had a major impact on the hip-hop scene.
Jay-Z co-founded Roc-a-Fella Records to release this album (which also helped launch Kanye West’s career), and it was certified gold by the RIAA in 1996, later achieving platinum status in 2002 due to its album sales. On eBay, a sealed tape can fetch up to $400, while used versions usually go for around $100.
