We live in a world where things are rapidly becoming obsolete. Trendy gadgets, popular toys, designer clothes – all these things can be at the peak of popularity today, and tomorrow they will go to the trash. But what if among all this junk there are things that can bring you unexpected wealth?
Just like in World War 2 coin collection, where old coins gain value over time, many items of seemingly no importance become real rarities. Perhaps in your closet for a long time dusting a box of unnecessary things, which is actually worth thousands of dollars. So now let us talk about some unusual items that can make you richer than you think.
Vintage Electronics and Retro Gadgets: Digital Gems of the Past
Modern technology is advancing rapidly but old gadgets that were once considered commonplace are now of interest to collectors. Retro tech not only brings nostalgia but can also fetch good money.
Rare Game Consoles and the First Gadgets Series
The gaming industry is developing at an incredible speed, but consoles of the last century are still in demand among collectors. Especially valued are devices in perfect condition, with original packaging and documents. What exactly should you pay attention to? For example, it’s worth checking if you have any of the following items lying around:
- Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) – a sealed set can go for $20,000.
- Sega Genesis – rare game releases such as “Comix Zone” can sell for $500-$1000.
- PlayStation 1 and 2 – limited editions of consoles can cost $1,000 and up.
Tip: If you find an old console in your hoard, check its accessories. The more original accessories (controllers, boxes, instructions), the higher its value will be.
The first series of iPhones, iPods and other iconic gadgets are also under attention and are especially interesting to collectors. Did you know that the first iPhone (2007) in a sealed box was sold at auction for $190,000? Also in demand are original iPod Classic, especially rare models with large memory capacity.
By the way, we should not forget about cassettes, floppy disks and other storage media. Although digital technology has supplanted analog technology, some storage media have become collectors’ items. For example, rare VHS tapes of cult movies can cost $1000 and up. For example, a sealed cassette of Back to the Future sold for $75,000. Not bad, right? So here we want to suggest to you the obvious thing – do not throw away old floppy disks if they have rare programs or games on them. They can be valuable to retro gamers.
Manufacturing Errors: The More Defective, the More Expensive
Not all products that come off the assembly line with defects are scrapped. Sometimes a factory defect makes an item unique and turns it into a collector’s item. Whether it’s an error in printing a postage stamp, a defect in molding a plastic toy, or incorrectly typed text in a book, these things can be worth a lot of money.
What’s interesting is that sometimes collectors specifically hunt for items with unusual errors because they are extremely rare. For example, if a standard toy is released in millions of copies, then with a defect – only a few dozen. And rarity in the world of collecting is the main factor that determines the price.
Dolls, Toys and Figures With A Factory Defect
Vintage and collectible toys with manufacturing defects can cost more than usual, as they are perceived as something unique. Among the most sought-after categories:
- Barbie with an upside-down face – a doll whose head was glued upside down during assembly sold for $25,000.
- Baby Born with two left feet – such specimens are extremely rare, but can go for up to $5,000.
- Lego with a double print on the face of the minifigure – these mistakes are rare and can cost from $1,000.
- Star Wars figurines with incorrect color parts – rare colors of helmets and costumes are especially valuable (for example, Darth Vader figures with a blue helmet can cost up to $10,000).
Rare Postage Stamps
When it comes to rare mistakes on postage stamps and coins, this is the case when a mistake is worth millions. The history of philately (stamp collecting) knows many examples when a simple typographer’s mistake or a misadjustment of the printing press turned an ordinary stamp into a unique artifact.
For example, the famous Inverted Jenny stamp (1918) is just a standard American stamp, but with one mistake: the image of the Curtiss JN-4 airplane was printed upside down. Because of this defect, the stamp has become one of the most expensive in the world. In 2016, one of its copies sold for $1.3 million.
Unusual Coins and Banknotes
Errors are also found in the minting of coins, and they can range from a double strike of the stamp to an incorrectly struck denomination. An example of a famous error is the incorrect planchet for the 1943 Bronze cent (U.S.). During World War II, copper was needed for the war effort, so the 1943 1-cent coins were minted in steel. However, a small batch was still minted on “wrong” – old bronze blanks. Now such coins sell for $100,000 to $1,000,000 depending on the condition.
Banknotes can also become objects of hunting. What should be special about them? Usually, banknotes with double or inverted prints are very valuable. For example, if the denomination is printed twice or the image on one side is inverted relative to the other. In addition, banknotes with unusual serial numbers are very popular. For example, a bill with the number 00000001 (the first in the series) or with identical numbers such as 777777777 can cost 100 times its face value.
Lifehack: If you have an old stamp collection, check them under a magnifying glass, and if it’s coins, use the Coin ID Scanner app to help you estimate their value and rarity. Remember: even a minor minting or stamping error can turn an ordinary item into a collector’s rarity!
Ordinary Things That Become Cult Items
Some things that we tend to think of as ordinary become iconic over time. The influence of fashion, history and even nostalgia makes them collector’s items, and prices for rare pieces can reach astronomical sums. Sometimes even what seems like trash – empty boxes or old posters, for example – can turn out to be unexpectedly valuable.
Old Posters: Paper from the Past for the Price of Gold
Posters were once just promotional materials, but over time they’ve become valuable artifacts. Especially sought after are cult movie posters, rare concert posters, and even political propaganda from years past.
What is their value? The main factor is rarity. In the 70s and 80s, no one thought that old paper posters could become collectors’ items. They were simply thrown away after use, and that’s why only a few in good condition have survived to this day.
For example, the original Star Wars poster (1977) is one of the most expensive posters in the world. In 2017, a rare copy was sold for $26,400, and the original poster of the cult German movie “Metropolis” left the auction in 2012 for $1.2 million.
Empty Boxes from Branded Goods
It would seem that what could be more useless than an empty box? But if it is from a luxury brand – it is already a collector’s item. Wealthy people and collectors are ready to pay a lot of money for the original packaging of expensive watches, shoes, bags and appliances.
How much can you make?
Examples of prices for empty boxes:
- Rolex box – $300 to $1,000 depending on condition and model.
- Louis Vuitton bag box – $100 to $500.
- Nike x Off-White sneaker box – $200 to $500.
The most expensive box sold at auction was an Hermès gift case made of rare wood that went for $8,000.
Tip: Do not throw away boxes of expensive items, especially if they are from luxury brands. You can sell them on specialized sites like eBay or Vestiaire Collective.
Not Trash but Capital
Things that seem unnecessary to us are sometimes more valuable than we think. Vintage electronics, rare coins, old posters, or even empty boxes can all make you a profit if you know what to look for. The world of collecting is full of surprises, and you may already have an item in your home right now that is worth a small fortune. The key is not to be in a hurry to throw it away, but to first check how much someone is willing to pay for it.
