30+ Collector’s Items That Aren’t Worth Keeping

Beanie babies have been a collectible item for a very long time now. The Ty toy collection has been a kids’ favorite since the ’80s.

In 1995, the craze caught on with adults, as Beanie Babies became financial investments due to their high resale values. The toys were flipped on eBay and sold for 10 times the original price! But, the fad died down quickly and so did their resale price!

Vinyls are cool collectibles, period. Sadly, though, they no longer hold the same rarity that they did once upon a time.

In 2017, Sony Entertainment announced that it would begin pressing vinyl records again, introducing an era of what is referred to as the ‘vinyl revival.’ So, unless you have a really rare and old record, you won’t be making much money off vinyl records.

One of the most famous press illustrators in the world, Norman Rockwell ruled the scenes during his time. His cover illustrations for The Saturday Evening Post entertained readers for over five decades.

Even though his paintings sell for millions of dollars, the same can’t be said for the collected plates. These plates, featuring the artist’s work, are worth no more than $10 each, according to Antique Trader. Well, it seems safe to say that this might not be the best choice for collectibles if you’re looking to sell them someday.

Some toys just don’t meet collectible standards. Pez is the brand name of an Austrian candy and is associated with the manual candy dispensers that we’ve all come to know and love.

It does sound like the perfect item to build a collection off of, but sadly, these dispensers only go for a buck or two each. Even the rarest of them — like the limited edition Elvis Presley Pez dispenser collection — is valued at a very low $9.20. It hardly seems worth the hassle.

Pandora charms are among the most recent items that people have turned into collectibles. These accessories blew up on the scene in the early to mid-2000s. Most teenage girls were sporting these charm bracelets and necklaces during that decade.

Slowly, as some charms were discontinued, their value went up. However, this is only true for the few and rare charms. Exclusive designs — like the Winiper Staff Charm, the Blue Primrose Path, and Perfume Bottle/Scent Charm — have been retired and so, they can now fetch a pretty penny!

The 1970s Star Wars toy collection has the power to boost your bank account. These collectible items can fetch quite a few bucks in the resale market. Figurines such as Yak Face (Saelt-Marae) are worth thousands of dollars when you’ve got the right buyer.

The newer Star Wars toy collection doesn’t hold the same place in the market. Trying to sell action figures and toys from the ‘90s and ‘00s isn’t worth as much money, as they’ve been recently mass-produced.

Vintage band tees have become the underdog of the fashion world. So, it’s no wonder that people think this type of clothing will fetch them big bucks when resold.

That’s not the situation. An Eagles or a Queen t-shirt won’t make you much money, even if it’s in pristine condition, or from the live concert. Unless you have a rare t-shirt, you’re pretty much out of luck.

The royal family hasn’t lost its hold on the people. Whenever any event takes place in the British royal family, people all over the world join in. These events are commemorated by the people in the form of memorabilia.

The faces of the royal family, quotes, and whatnot are printed and sold on cups, or mugs — you name it, it’s available somewhere. Collecting them might be fun, but since these items are mass-produced, turning them into a financial collectible collection is next to impossible.

Marvel and DC together have ushered in a new dawn of comic lovers. These superhero franchises have turned countless viewers around the world into hardcore fans.

Old comics that were published between 1930 to 1950 have become so valuable that they could pay for a small village. The new comics, however, don’t hold the same value in the market. So, don’t make the mistake of buying up every new comic you come across, thinking that they’ll become collectibles!

We have all, at one point or the other, decided to start a stamp collection. An entire generation grew up collecting stamps as a hobby. Sadly, this collection doesn’t necessarily hold the key to the bank.

Stamps are mass-produced items, and it is the very rare stamps that fetch a good sum when sold. Finding the right stamp for a willing buyer is like finding a needle in a haystack. So don’t pin all hopes of becoming a millionaire on this hobby!

Everybody, who grew up in the ‘90s, knows that Pogs — Milk caps — were once the most coveted toys around the block. People built up massive collections of these toys, and showing off who had the biggest one was a flex.

Even though the game and the toys were very popular, they don’t hold a lot of value in the market these days. A collection of Pogs can fetch around $10, while individual Pogs go for $1 each. It’s better to keep these items as a memory than an investment.

Silverware has been around for a very long time. It’s inherently an heirloom product. Families pass down silverware collections from generation to generation, no matter where you are in the world.

Silverware might hold a lot of sentimental value, but the same can’t be said for its resale value. If you try to sell your fancy cutlery online, like on eBay, you will come across many other listings for entire antique sets by people. Hence the value of this collectible item has been driven down considerably.

More often than not these collectible items are used as an extra in horror movies! Porcelain and ceramic dolls have been popular among collectors for ages.

The resale value for these dolls, though, isn’t high. In fact, they go for around $10 per piece. So, it goes without saying that these dolls aren’t the best way to rack in the dough.

If you’re a locomotive lover, you probably have your private collection of model train sets. These collectibles have websites and clubs dedicated to them. However, the resale value of the trains is nothing to boast about.

In rare instances, these trains sell at a good price. Take, for instance, the Howard Gondola — which was listed on eBay for $1,715. But, mostly, entire train sets in good condition go for as little as $100.

Whether you’re young or old, hip or nerdy, chances are you’ve probably heard of Barbie. This iconic fashion doll was first introduced in 1959 and has since become a franchise so vast, it has spawned movies, TV shows, games — and, of course, countless dolls!

However, unless you have a mint condition original Barbie from the early days, chances are it won’t get you very good resale prices. Since these toys were mass-produced, finding one in good condition isn’t difficult for interested buyers!

Playboy magazines have a fan following of their own. A publication full of scandalous history, these magazines have helped many boys, as they say, grow up. Whether you bought the magazines for the articles or the pictures, selling them today might not be the best idea.

Unless you’re holding onto a first edition copy from before 1970, these mass-produced items aren’t good for much. So, it’s better to keep these on your bookshelf for memories rather than selling them to earn some money!

Precious Moments are little porcelain figurines centered on an angel named Timmy. Introduced in 1978, these figurines have been proudly collected and gifted across America.

But, it seems like Precious Moments are good for just that — precious moments. The figurines don’t rank very high in collectible value, with even rare ones getting sold for a few hundred dollars only. It’s better to enjoy this collection for the nostalgia it offers than have any financial motive for it.

There was a time when holding a piece of America’s favorite pastime in your hand gave you bragging rights. Collections of baseball cards were proudly carried and showcased, with children making a game out of trading cards and building the biggest collections.

If you own such a collection, it’s best if you just keep them for the good times. These cards are low in demand. Even one featuring star player Ken Griffey Jr. is only worth $100.

Funky Figurines are designed for only one purpose – to be collected. Created in 1998, these collectible toys have turned numerous TV and movie characters into miniature figurines perfect to keep on a desk or a shelf.

Since these toys are so recent, it’s hard to pinpoint how well they will fare in the resale market. So, don’t blow all your money building a collection in the hopes of future investment. But, Funkos do make the cutest decorations — so if you have a particular favorite, be sure to snag it!

Some collectibles see peak glory days, but fall down just as fast. Such is the case with Hummel figurines, a popular World War II souvenir sent back home by Americans stationed in West Germany.

These figurines saw their price increase dramatically in the 1970s as a collector’s item, but the flurry didn’t last long. As of today, unless you have an extremely rare figurine, chances are it won’t sell for much. Your best options would be to either sell them to a nearby thrift shop, or let them continue adorning your shelves.

The Franklin Mint dolls have been advertised as a collectible investment — buy them today for a great payoff tomorrow. Collectors, therefore, ensure that they keep their dolls in pristine condition and have already listed them for resale!

Even though the sellers are now trying to get around $200 for one doll, most Franklin Mint dolls go for around $20 to $50, without their original packaging. Not the best investment, after all.

Today, we all basically walk around with cameras in our pockets. But, once upon a time, cameras needed their own separate cases or bags. Vintage cameras are a thing of beauty no doubt, but they’re also a lot of hassle for people who collect them.

According to a New York pawnbroker, people come in with film cameras from the ‘70s and ‘80s, which end up being worth nothing. The film for the camera cost more than the camera itself! Not such a sound investment for the new buyers.

VHS tapes were once highly coveted items. Before Netflix and Hulu changed the way people consume movies and TV shows, VHS and DVD collections were all the rage. The disappearing technology has driven up the price for these tapes, but only in our minds.

These collections are only worth something if you find the right buyer. Even then, don’t get your hopes too high. It would be better if you keep them for nostalgic purposes than for investment.

Morgan Dollars are now a dime a dozen. These silver coins found popularity in the late 19th century and again in the 1920s when their prices shot up — way up. But, even though the older dollars are almost a century old, today they hardly fetch any money.

Supposedly, Morgan Dollars are one of the most common silver coins that someone can own. Their resale value ranges from $10 to $100. Not the best long-term collectible to focus your energy on.

The value of any collectible item in the market depends on the supply. If too many exist on the market, the value will decrease significantly. The Indian Head Pennies, minted between 1859 and 1909, have a similar story.

Even though these coins were extremely valuable during the postwar period, their worth has gone down considerably owing to their number. Around 100 million of these were produced by the end. It’s better to just keep one of these pennies at home for entertaining stories rather than financial gains.

Mcdonald’s is famous for many things — its food, quick service, witty advertisements, as well as its Happy Meal toys. The fast-food brand has been giving away toys with its Happy Meals since 1907, much to the delight of the kids and collectible enthusiasts.

However, unless you have a toy in mint condition, inside the packing and with the Happy Meal box, it’s not worth much. The chances of you having all three are close to none so — in other words — you’ll have better luck collecting something else.

Brown furniture refers to antique pieces of furniture that are usually dark-stained and sturdy. This can include pieces like cabinets, bed frames, dining room tables, and more.

Brown furniture with historical value has gained quite a reputation and value in the resale market. However, average items from the 19th and 20th centuries won’t fetch you much money. The trend has shifted to mid-century modern and Art Deco pieces — and so, brown furniture has somewhat lost its appeal.

All parents like to pass a piece of their childhood to their kids — either through clothes, experiences, and/or stories. Sometimes, these parents are even ready to shell out a little extra money to get a copy of this book.

But, unless you have an incredibly rare first-edition copy, these books are pretty easy to find. With the internet, almost everything is available instantly. So, don’t go thrift-shop hunting for some children’s books. It won’t be worth your time unless you get really lucky and find a first edition copy!

Cabbage Patch Kids were very famous when they were first released in the late 1970s, and their value only increased in the 1980s. Parents fought over these unusual dolls that were priced for around $30 retail!

Even though you might think Cabbage Patch Kids must now be a collector’s item, it isn’t so. The dolls are rarely in good condition, so they don’t make a profit. It’s better to hang onto your doll for nostalgic purposes.

If your grandparents or parents went to a prestigious college, like Harvard or Yale, it’s possible that you have a lot of vintage college pennants lying around your house. But, if you’re thinking of turning it into a profit, you might want to think twice.

Personal college items like this hardly hold any value to people other than the owners themselves. Very few people will want to own somebody else’s college pennant. So, maybe hold onto that flag for the good old days.

Hot Wheels have been around since the ‘60s, and they’ve entertained countless children for hours on end. Sadly, these toy cars from Mattel are basically worthless today.

Since these cars were mass-produced and usually end up being severely depleted because of their usage, they fall short of being a collectible dream and are sold for a few dollars only. Unless you have a special version in mint condition, you’re pretty much out of luck.

Autographed sports memorabilia was all the rage once, with people shelling out ridiculous amounts of money for them. Even though the prices for these collectibles are still relatively high, selling memorabilia is now riddled with complications.

Firstly, buyers are more often than not doubtful about the authenticity of the product, and convincing them might not be possible every time. Secondly, the recent period of time has seen a mass production of items with sports stars’ autographs on them — making signed sports memorabilia a not-so-special collectible anymore.

Cookie jars are not the most common collectibles people look for. But, ever since Andy Warhol’s collection of 175 ceramic cookie jars sold for $247,830 in 1988, they have also come under the microscope as a possibility.

Sadly, not everyone can dredge up the same interest as a pop star, and the price for a regular individual would be a few dollars for a jar. So, it’s better to use the jars you have to store cookies than your dreams to become a millionaire.

Once upon a time, just like fridge magnets and brochures, people brought back porcelain or metal bells from their travels and events they attended. Even events like the FIFA World Cup had these bells customized for them.

However, you can find these bells on the internet easily for a few dollars. So, while they might be a good souvenir for your travels, they might not be the best item in your house for the resale market!

Much like porcelain bells, salt and pepper shakers have been a souvenir for people to showcase where they’ve been. Whether they’re quirky or elegant, these delightful little pieces easily find buyers in the market.

These might be easy to sell, but they won’t necessarily earn you much. It’s very rare for a set to be sold for more than $50 to $80 dollars. It might be better to dress your dining tables with the sets you have than to pawn them on eBay.

Newspapers might be an everyday item, but some newspapers hold headlines that changed the course of history. A lot of people preserve newspapers from olden times and then sell them off in a bid to get rich.

These mass-produced items might not be the best collectibles, though. Unless you have first prints of iconic editions, like the one declaring the sinking of Titanic, you probably won’t get much out of it. Furthermore, the internet has made it easy for people to have a look at any newspaper they want.

The thing that killed the value of Thomas Kinkade’s artwork after his death was the same thing that made him money while he was alive. The ‘Painter of Light’ reproduced his paintings so much during his lifetime that they’re essentially worthless today.

After his death in 2012, the value of the artist’s work dropped massively, with many of his paintings being priced at $20. The Guardian also reported that his work could be found in one in twenty U.S. homes. It’s quite different from the exclusivity of collectibles.

Gadgets have proven to be incredible collectibles over the years, but the same cannot be said for the gizmos popping up now. It’s too soon to estimate the value of iPods or any other MP3 players, as they were mass-produced for the market.

Recently, an iPod Nano was sold for a meager $69. So, if you’re holding onto all your music players for future investments, it’s better to put them in the back of your cupboard for a very long time.

A quirky collection tends to bring in more money, or so is the saying. However, this doesn’t apply to collections of license plates — a hobby for many people who aim to collect plates from different states, with a variety of stories behind them.

License plates, just like stamps, are easy to come by. Hence, their collectible value has decreased significantly. Even if you have a collection featuring all 50 states, you might get much less than what you were hoping for.

After the salt and pepper shakers, these pins might be the most charming items on the list that one can collect. However, it doesn’t make them any more valuable than the others!

Whether they’re from old events, concerts, or an anniversary pin of a sports team, vintage pins probably won’t sell for more than five to twelve bucks online. Only extremely rare ones sell in thousands. Otherwise, these little trinkets are better for a bout of nostalgia and laughter than for earning money.

Personal items, until they carry the trace of historical incidents, don’t really hold weight in auction markets anymore. This is the case with vintage college clothing, too. Be it a t-shirt or a hoodie, you’re not likely to find success selling your grandma’s Harvard t-shirt on eBay.

Most likely, you’ll get around $30 for a vintage college sweatshirt. It’s better to hold onto it rather than make a sale.

Yes, it’s true that rare coins are probably one of the most collectible options for people looking to make good dough. But, not every penny will fetch you a good sum.

Wheat pennies are coins that have wheat stalks printed on them. Even though these coins have seen their value appreciated, it’s not worth the hassle to go down and track one. At most, one wheat penny will fetch you a couple of dollars.

Anything vintage has a story to tell, be it big or small. Things like farm tools also tell a story of struggle, and give us the first glimpse into evolution. However, these tools also became décor items for a period of time, leading to mass-produced reproductions flooding the market.

A lot of these tools have gone unsold as the trend has shifted to a more modern and cleaner look. If you’re planning to sell a pitchfork you have lying around, don’t expect to get more than $50 for it!

Yes, at one point, you had to catch them all. But, now if you’re trying to sell them, you’re probably not going to find a lot of luck.

The Pokémon fad during the ’90s was the best time to sell these cards. Nintendo ensured that some rare and special cards were on the market, sending the collectors into a frenzy. Now, the market is flooded with Pokémon merchandise, which has hurt the resale value of these cards.