If You Still Have These Old Toys, They Could Score You Big Bucks

If you’re still hanging on to your favorite toys from childhood, you may be sitting on a small fortune.

With the latest in the series of “Star Wars” movies set to hit the box office Dec. 17, it’s no surprise that vintage “Star Wars” memorabilia, ranging from Death Star pencil sharpeners to Jabba the Hut figures, are selling for big bucks on online auction sites such as eBay, Reuters reports.

Britain’s Craig Stevens, a “Star Wars” toy collector, recently sold a small plastic replica of bounty hunter Boba Fett for a whopping $27,000.

“‘Star Wars’ memorabilia ranks at the upper echelon, it runs at the top, alongside ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ ‘Citizen Kane’ and ‘Casablanca,'” Brian Chanes of Profiles in History, the California auctioneer, told Reuters.

The rarity and condition of a classic toy influence its resale value. Vintage toys that have never been played with and are still sealed in their original packaging typically bring in the most money.

Dan Wade, head writer at JustCollecting.com, a social media site for collectors, told MarketWatch that many adults enjoy collecting toys from their youth.

“People now have the wherewithal to buy these pieces they maybe missed out on growing up,” Wade explained.

According to JustCollecting.com, these classic toys can fetch a pretty penny if they’re in good condition:

• Teddy Ruxpin (1985): Original retail $69.99. Current value: $400.
• Nintendo NES console (1985): Original retail $199. Current value: $500.
• Optimus Prime (1984): Original retail $20.99. Current value: $800.
• Fireball Island Game (1986): Original retail $15.95. Current value: $400.
• Matilda 1st edition book by Roald Dahl (1988): Original retail $13.95. Current value: $500.
• iPod Classic (2001): Original retail $399. Current value: $1,000.

I’ve purchased my children a few of the “vintage” (pre-1990) Fisher Price Little People sets at garage sales and on eBay. My kids love playing with them, and I love that their price tags aren’t too exorbitant.

Are you still hanging onto some of your old toys? Do you know what their value is today? Share your comments below or on our Facebook page.