The next time you pay your attic a visit, take a look around at all the stuff that’s up there. You never know what you’ll find, or what has increased in value over the years. So, check out this list of items that might be worth a ton of money today. It will at least motivate you to head up to your attic right away and do some early Spring cleaning!
American Girl Samantha Doll
Samantha was one of the original American Girl dolls. And if you’re willing to part with your old childhood doll, you can get as much as $600 to about $3,300 for her. But make sure she’s in good condition and still has her original clothes and accessories.
Antique Christmas Ornaments
You might find a box full of Christmas ornaments that your family has collected over the years. Well, the material these fragile ornaments are made of, like hand-blown glass, can be very valuable. Some of them can go for $1,700 while others like the German pear-shaped Kugel ornament can be worth $18,000. But this next gift you might have gotten under the tree is worth some money, too.
Vinyl Records
Those vinyl records your parents or grandparents placed in a box could be very valuable now. According to the Reverb LP marketplace, the 1957 Elvis Christmas album is worth about $149. So, who’s to say you don’t have a fortune in vinyl records just sitting in your attic? But look for the machine that plays it too, you won’t regret it.
Milk Glass Easter Eggs
If you happen to find a full set of hand-blown mill glass eggs in your parent’s attic, don’t turn them into an Easter centerpiece during springtime. A full set of undamaged eggs can earn you about $775. But that's not the only holiday decor that has increased in value over the years. This next item won’t have any cookies, but you can buy some after you sell it.
Uncle Mistletoe Marshall Fields Cookie Jar
If you find your grandmother’s Uncle Mistletoe Marshall Fields cookie jar from the 1940s or 1950s in a box somewhere, then you’re in luck. It can sell for about $1,200. You can earn up to $500 if the cookie jar comes in the shape of a popular cartoon figure. But if you can’t find a cookie jar, then look for other vintage memorabilia.
Lunch Boxes
You thought your mom threw them out. Then you went up to the attic and found your old lunch box. Well, that’s good news because all those vintage lunch boxes from The Beatles, The Jetsons, and other popular characters and artists are worth up to $3,100. And if anyone in your family was into costumes, then look for this next valuable item.
Men’s Watches
Men’s watches, particularly the ones with features like moon phases, stopwatch functions, gold or platinum details, and day and time are very valuable because people collect them. They’re even more expensive if they have jewels on them or come from brand names like Rolex, Patek Philippe, Movado, Vacheron Constantin, or LeCoultre. But an item that’s seen a lot of foot traffic can make you rich, too.
Persian Rugs
The value of Persian rugs increase with time. So, if you happen to find your grandparents’ Persian rugs rolled away in the attic, you could earn anywhere between $1,000 to — wait for it — $1 million! The cost is calculated based on the size, material, condition and design, much like this next musical instrument.
Fender and Gibson Guitars
Perhaps your dad gave up on his dream to become a rock star, but that Gibson Les Paul or vintage Fender guitar he stowed away in the attic can be sold for hundreds or possibly even thousands on sites like Reverb. But this next item you might have stashed away in the attic could have you quacking all the way to the bank.
Hand-Carved Duck Decoys
Hand-carved duck decoys were very popular in the 20th century, and now they’ve become a rare commodity. So, if you happen to find one in the corner of your attic, you could earn as much as $650,000 at an auction. That's a lot more than what you could earn for the following retro piece of furniture.
1980s and 1990s Furniture
Your parents may have stuck their 80s and 90s furniture in the attic to give their home a much-needed makeover. But now it’s time to dust that furniture off and sell it, because people feeling nostalgic about the 80s and 90s are willing to pay hundreds or even thousands for your old furniture. But probably not as much as they’d pay for antique tools.
Antique Tools
Vintage tools are worth a lot of cash, especially the ones that have detailed designs such as ivory-handled or engraved casting wrenches. Those can go for thousands of dollars at auctions. And a limited-edition John Deere wrench can earn you up to $16,500. But you might earn more if you have this next collectible '90s item.
Beanie Babies
Beanie Babies were highly collectible in the 1990s. But if you happen to find a box full of them, you can earn up to $500,000, especially if they’re in mint condition and have the tag still attached. Who knew that holding on to your childhood memories could be so profitable? But if you happen to find a first-edition copy of this book, then get ready to rake up some serious money!
First Edition Vintage Books
John Linden, the lead designer at MirrorCoop claims that collectors will pay a lot for first-edition copies of vintage books. A first-edition copy of James Joyce’s “Ulysses” can sell for $8,000. But if you want to be really rich, then look for your baseball cards.
Baseball Cards
The older the baseball card, the more valuable it is. But the price will vary based on the player, the year, and its condition. So, if you find your old baseball cards in the attic, get them appraised. Your collection could be worth about $3.2 million. But you might be able to pay your light bill if you find this next item stashed away in the house.
Turntables
If you happen to find the turntable where those vinyl records were played, you should check out eBay or Reverb to see how much they’re selling for. Some of them go for as much as $300 or more. And while you’re in the attic, check out the condition of that old rocking chair.
Windsor-Style Armchair
A lot of Windsor-style rod back chairs were made during the 1820s and came from the New England area. This makes them antiques, and while they won’t exactly make you rich, you can still sell them for $150 a piece, which is much more than you'd get for them at a yard sale. But check out this next item that is worth more if you sell it than if you decide to wear it.
Retro Vintage T-Shirts
Those retro vintage t-shirts you bought long ago can earn you some serious cash now. Reyne Hirsch, an appraise on PBS’ "Antiques Roadshow" claims a 1990s Mario Brothers Nintendo 64 Game T-shirt was worth $150, and a Prince T-shirt on Poshmark sold for $380. But this next item will have you reliving your childhood.
Comic Books
Rare copies of comic books can be worth several million dollars. So, if you find yourself strapped for cash, then head on up to the attic and find your old comic books. And don’t worry if you don’t have any rare copies. Even regular comics can earn you hundreds. But this vintage office tool is also worth something if you’re strapped for cash.
Vintage Typewriters
It might not seem like a big deal to you, but that old typewriter your grandfather used to write with back in the day is very appealing to today’s generation. Apparently, you can sell a typewriter for anywhere from $20 to $100. And while you’re at it, see if you can sell this machine your grandma might have used.
Portable Sewing Machine
The 1950s Portable Bell Sewing Machine was known as the Micro Bell. Collectors simply adore this little machine because it’s portable and works great when it’s in good condition. And while it won’t earn you millions, you can still get $125 for it. And that's not the only piece of vintage technology that might be worth more than it seems to be.
Outdated Electronic Items
If you find old gadgets collecting dust in the attic, take them out and sell them. There’s a huge interest in old phones, computers, radios, and even vintage kitchen appliances like toasters, which could earn you up to $10,000. And while you’re at it, keep an eye out for this next illuminating object.
Vintage Lamps
You may have gotten an old lamp from your parents or grandparents that didn’t really go with your decor, so you stuck it in the attic and forgot about it. But if the lamp comes from brands like Handel, Fulper, or Pairpoint, you could earn as much as $45,000. Yeah, that's seriously insane! But you might get a little peckish for cash if you find this next item stashed away somewhere in the house.
Costume Jewelry
Although most pieces of costume jewelry aren't usually decked in diamonds, there are certain brands, like Elsa Schiaparelli, that offer high quality materials. So, if you happen to find some costume jewelry, get it appraised. It might be worth up to $2,000. But selling this next time is not a game.
Arcade Games
Those old arcade games in your parents’ attic could be worth anywhere from $100 to $2,500. Seth Peterson, the CEO of All You Can Arcade claims nonworking arcade games can get you $100 to $400, while working games can earn you $500 to $2,500.