80s toys

5 Most Expensive 80s Toys You Might Have in Your Attic

Jenny SmedraLeave a comment

The 5 Most Expensive 80s Toys You Might Have in Your Attic

With more people looking for alternative investments, the collectibles market has exploded in recent years. And many of your favorite childhood toys have now become expensive and highly sought-after items. If you had any of these 80s toys, you may be pleasantly surprised to find out how much they are worth now.

5 Most Expensive 80s Toys You Might Have in Your Attic

1. American Girl Dolls

Since they were first introduced in the 1980s, American Girl dolls were wildly popular and gained an even larger fanbase through the 90s.  These dolls represent different eras of American history and include a variety of outfits and storybooks relevant to their period.

Today, you can find several Kirsten, Molly, and Samanthas that sell for well over $1,000 on eBay. And if it is still in the original packaging, it could sell for much more. Not too long ago, an original Samantha Parkington doll sold for $4,200, making it one of the most expensive 80s toys today.

2. Cabbage Patch Kids

Cabbage Patch Kids are another fad that has become a valuable collectible. These soft, 16-inch dolls may have looked strange to adults, but kids went crazy for them. While they only sold for $25, some are worth well over $1,000 today.

However, if you have any that date back to the early or mid-1980s, it could be worth much more, especially if it still has the original box, birth certificate, and passport. Some of the rarest Cabbage Patch Kids have sold for well over $5,000.

3. He-Man Action Figures

With He-Man as its focus, the Masters of the Universe franchise started releasing toys in 1982. It went on to inspire the creation of children’s books comic books, a role-playing game, video games, a cartoon, and a live-action movie. It has also regained popularity with the re-release of the cartoon series on streaming services.

If you look for any of these toys today, many of the figurines sell for hundreds of dollars. But, the most valuable piece is the Castle Grayskull set. An unopened example in mint condition can bring in up to $4,000 from the right buyer.

4. Nintendo Entertainment System

When it was first released, the Nintendo Entertainment System was the holy grail of kids’ toys. It sold for about $200 when it was first released, but is now one of the most prized collectible toys.

An original NES can sell for well over $1,000 on eBay. But a factory-sealed, mint-condition system sold for over $36,000 in 2020 after an intense bidding war. Even systems that aren’t in pristine condition will still bring a good price at auction.

5. Star Wars Toys

Beyond a doubt, Star Wars is one of the most iconic and successful franchises of all time. It has generated countless items from decor and clothing to a variety of toys and games. Although they started selling items when the movies were first released in the 1970s, the toys reached the height of popularity in the 1980s.

Like other franchises’ figurines, they can sell for hundreds or thousands of dollars. However, the rarest can bring in a small fortune. The Yellow box that contained six, 3.75-inch figurines sold for over $28,000, and a Bespin Alliance three-pack series sold for well over $24,000. And one of the rarest Star Wars toys, the Glasslite Vlix from Brazil, recently sold for over $45,000.

But, you should keep in mind that this is only a short list of some of the most valuable 80s toys. And the condition of the item is a huge factor in its value. So if you think you have something special, it’s best to find a vintage toy expert in your area. They will be better able to tell you the true value of your childhood toy based on condition, rarity, and demand.

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