Coveted Classics: 40+ Collectables That Cost A Pretty Penny

We have all read the tales of the boy who finds a priceless comic book at a flea market or the couple who moves into a new home and discovers a priceless wine cellar in the basement. The most unlikely goods have produced a few of the biggest sales in history. Vintage toys, baseball cards, Coca-Cola cans, teddy bears, and even ceramic bowls could all be big-ticket items with a value of millions.

You rarely realize what long-forgotten objects may hold the key to a far more promising (and eco-friendly) existence. Continue reading to learn about some of history’s most expensive treasures. You never know; it just might be time to get the step stool out and climb into the attic!

1963 Ferrari 250 GTO – $ 70 million

Although the cost of a Ferrari is well known, the 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO raises the bar significantly. In June 2018, the GTO broke the previous milestone for being the most expensive vehicle sold through an auction. A private owner purchased the GTO for $70 million.

Collectors have been vying for this specific version for a while now. In 1963, the wacky founder of the company, Enzo Ferrari, would have to personally approve every purchaser of the new GTO, which cost $18,000. This vehicle was rated the “Best Sports Car of All Time” by Sports Car International.

1765 George Stubbs painting – $35.9 million

Although hunting and equestrian events remain prevalent in modern-day England, their depiction in artwork peaked in the Eighteenth Century. Many of the stately homes in England throughout the 1800s had pictures of traditional jockey portraits as well as conventional fox hunting drills.

This rather substantial canvas is titled “Gimcrack on Newmarket Heath, with a Trainer, a Stable-Lad, and a Jockey.” That is quite the descriptive title. It is currently the third most expensive Old Master artwork ever put up and sold in an auction.

17th Century Persian rug – $33.76 million

It is well known that Sotheby’s sells exquisite, unique treasures. Anyone wanting to sell anything significant should head to the auction company. When it was revealed that a remarkable Persian rug was acquired for $33.76 million, breaking a world record, the Sotheby’s audience cheered in awe.

The rug was a “Sickle leaf, vine scroll” design which was most likely from Kerman. Gorgeous vines, lovely blooms, and sickle-shaped foliage made up its exquisite pattern. It is only 6 feet by 8 feet in size and has a stunning deep crimson border.

Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime 6300A – 010 – $31 million

The most complex timepiece Patek Philippe has ever manufactured is the Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime Watch. The Grandmaster Chime has never been produced in more than seven copies. Out of the seven made, only six of these remain on the market.

One is in the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva, Switzerland. Twenty complexities, two separate dials, and a rotatable case with six patented inventions are all features of the timepiece. Over 100,000 hours were spent on the design, construction, plus manufacturing of only one of these renowned timepieces. 

1920 Patek Philippe Supercomplication – $24 million

Patek Philippe timepieces are renowned for their price tags. The 1920 Patek Philippe Supercomplication Watch was made for about $15,000. Yet it was auctioned off for a whopping $24 million. The renowned watch was purchased at the Sotheby’s auction in Geneva, Switzerland, by an unidentified bidder.

In the late 1990s, auction prices of $10 million as well as $11 million were reached. As per Forbes, the $24 million cost of The Supercomplication is evidence of its “unachievable” and “exceptional” nature. A basic Patek Philippe watch costs between $19,000 and $30,000.

Abu Dhabi first issue single digit number plate – $14.3 million

While the majority opt to take the provided license plate, some of us like to splash out on unique or expensive plates. Since there are only 9 attainable single-figure number plates, they are among the costliest. Guess that wasn’t a problem for this guy!

The number 1 number plate cost an Abu Dhabi resident $14.3 million, but it is just the start of the tale. He wrote a bad check, and he ultimately received a three-year prison term for committing fraud! The intriguing tale only serves to increase the item’s intrigue.

Flowing hair silver-copper dollar – $10 million

When a coin minted at $1 goes for $10 million, the very least someone can say is this, “it was one heck of an investment!” The first silver dollar minted by the US Mint is thought to be this unique flowing hair silver-copper dollar coin.

Legend Numismatics, a rare-coin company based in New Jersey, stated they would have offered more if needed and ended up buying the piece. They added that perhaps the coin’s special qualities made it especially precious. They assert that no museum possesses a comparable item.

1856 – British Guiana 1-Cent Magenta Stamp – $9.5 million

A Scottish schoolboy found this stamp in his uncle’s stamp collection in a cellar in 1873. Until it came into the ownership of Arthur Hind in 1922, it passed through a number of hands. According to reports, he outbid three kings by $36,000.

This extremely rare 1-cent British Guiana stamp was printed in 1856. It was resold four times and shattered the record for the largest price ever paid for a single stamp every time. The most recent transaction involved Stuart Weizman, a shoe designer, and a bid of $9.5 million.

The Honus Wagner baseball card – $6.6 million

In 2021, the T206 baseball card of Honus Wagner brought in a record-breaking $6.6 million. This card is thought to be the finest edition of the card ever made. It is in pristine shape. The card was allegedly discontinued by Wagner personally.

This was after only 50 or so copies were produced. It’s unclear why; some claim he didn’t really like to promote smoking to children. Others contend he hadn’t granted approval for the use of his image. In either case, it undoubtedly paid off over time.

L’Oiseleur by Christian Bailly – $6.25 million

Christian Bailly, a Swiss artist, created the L’Oiseleur doll. His artwork took 15,000 hours to complete. It currently holds the distinction of being the best and most expensive doll ever made. This doll, known as “The Bird Trainer,” is constructed using 2,340 polished steel or gilded pieces.

This includes cogs as well as gears that are operated by springs. The four-foot-tall doll has a real blade, two chirping birds, a flute, as well as an embroidered costume. The doll can play Georges Bizet’s song, Marche des Rois, on its flute!

Babe Ruth New York Yankees Jersy – $5.64 million

Babe Ruth memorabilia sometimes sell for top dollar at auctions. Ruth’s own jersey reached a record price when it was sold in 2019. He wore a New York Yankees jersey from 1928 to 1930. This was auctioned at Hunt Auctions for $5.64 million.

The jersey was acquired through a collaboration between Ruth’s family and “top third-party collectors,” according to Hunt Auctions. It was displayed alongside a selection of the Sultan of Swat’s relics. The jersey became the most expensive item of sports memorabilia ever sold.

Marilyn’s white dress from The Seven Year Itch – $5.6 million

Marilyn Monroe appeared in Seven Year Itch wearing a white dress which was designed by William Travilla. It was donned during one of the most well-known scenes of the 1955 film. Among the most iconic pictures from the 20th Century, this one is probably the most famous.

The picture referred to is the one where she’s wearing a white dress and poised above a subway grate. The dress was originally estimated to sell for between $1 and $2 million in 2011, but actress Debbie Reynolds ultimately received $5.6 million for it (plus a $1 million fee).

Robby the Robot from Forbidden Planet – $5.375 million

The character Robby the Robot has become a legend. The prop cost $125,000 to make for the 1956 film Forbidden Planet. That is equivalent to $1.2 million today. Nevertheless, its resale value would significantly exceed that cost. Robby the Robot’s lucrative Hollywood stint came to a satisfying conclusion.

He was auctioned for more than $5 million. The auction company that sold it, Bonhams, acknowledged that figure as the highest ever for a movie prop. The film is regarded as a sci-fi classic and currently holds a 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Mickey Mantle baseball card – $5.22 million

One of the most well-known and greatest baseball players of all time is Mickey “The Mick” Mantle. Topps’ authentic baseball cards featuring Mickey Mantle have reportedly broken sales records. A 1952 Topps card in pristine condition was purchased at PWCC Marketplace in January 2021.

It sold for $5.22 million. Mike Trout, an MLB player, had previously held the old record, which has been broken. Mantle’s card was purchased by Rob Gough, who expressed his “ecstasy” at having discovered the “high-grade specimen” after looking for it for years.

Madame Alexander Eloise Doll – $5 million

If it is the authentic, limited-edition Madame Alexander Eloise Doll, it is worth around $5 million dollars! It is one of the most expensive toys in the world. Only five such Eloise dolls were produced by the renowned dollmaker Madame Alexander.

The doll is extremely expensive due to what it is sporting and its uniqueness. Eloise is decked out in Swarovski crystals, Christian Dior clothing, Oscar de la Renta fur, Katherine Baumann accouterments, and nine carats of diamonds. Eloise travels with a tiny, fashionable dog by her side.

Luka Dončić autographed basketball card – $4.6 million

Signed basketball cards have always been immensely valuable. In the past, an Antetokounmpo, as well as a LeBron James rookie card from the 2013–2014 season, sold for $1.8 million each. A piece of Michael Jordan’s worn jersey that was transformed into an autographed card sold for $1.44 million.

An autographed single-print rookie card of Dallas Mavericks player Luka Doncic set a new record and sold for $4.6 million. It is doubtful that the milestone will be surpassed anytime soon, despite the reality that Doncic is still in his fifth NBA season.

Action Comics #01 – $3.2 million

The debut of the world of comics is frequently attributed to Action Comics issue 01. It’s also one of the most priceless comic books ever. On the 1938 publication’s cover, Superman is seen picking up a green vehicle while onlookers are fleeing the scene.

The first edition, issued in 200,000 copies, sold out remarkably quickly. When they began generating a million copies a month, it didn’t take long for them to discover that Superman was always the reason for the comic being so successful.

Mark McGwire’s 70th home run ball – $3 million

Mark McGwire is renowned as “among the most feared power hitters in the 1990s” and established a milestone of 70 homers inside one season back in 1998. He scored his 70th home run of the year using this baseball, putting him in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

The ball was placed on the market in January 1999. A then-anonymous buyer paid a record-breaking $3 million for it. The buyer, as it was eventually revealed, was actually none other than Todd McFarlane! He’s a celebrated comic book author and the creator of Spawn.

The cowardly lion costume from The Wizard of Oz – $3 million

The Wizard of Oz made nearly $24 million at the 1939 box office, which is equal to $472.54 million in today’s money. The film went on to be an American classic. As a byproduct of its success, souvenirs from the movie have been auctioned for millions of dollars.

These memorabilia notably include costumes as well. The Cowardly Lion costume was one outfit that brought in a lot of money at auction. Real lion skin and fur were used to create the outfit, and Burt Lehr’s bust was molded to serve as the face.

The Upham Tintype of Billy the Kid – $2.3 million

A tintype, also known as a “ferrotype” or “melainotype,” was a photograph that was created by producing a positive image on a metallic sheet that had been covered with black enamel. The years have passed since the invention of this photography method in 1856.

These tintype representations are still quite valuable today. One with the renowned gangster Billy the Kid is priceless. It was the very first photograph that the bandit agreed to. It was also one of the few photographs taken of Billy the Kid during his brief life.

Northern Song Dynasty Ding bowl – $2.2 million

Chinese porcelain created in Dingzhou, Hebei, China, is referred to as Ding ware, Ting ware, or Dingyao. The Tang and Yuan dynasties were the times when these bowls got made. The Ding bowls are glazed in white and fashioned out of thin porcelain.

This bowl was made somewhere between 1100 AD and 1200 AD. Peony, and prunus, with chrysanthemum decorations, are used to embellish the stoneware that was created using a wheel. It was found in a yard sale and was purchased for 3 dollars! Talk about a hefty return on investment!

Yu-Gi-Oh Black Luster Soldier – $2 million

One of Yu-Gi-Oh’s most expensive cards is the Black Luster Soldier. At the initial Yu-Gi-Oh! tournament back in 1999, the card got gifted to one fortunate participant. The Black Luster Soldier is imprinted on stainless steel. There is only one of these in the whole world.

Its rarity makes it essentially priceless. A Beginning and Evening Twilight Knight can summon this valuable card. It has a number of abilities when summoned, including the ability to attack again after destroying an opponent’s monster and the ability to exile an opponent’s monster on each round.

The 1894-S Barber coin – $1.99 million

The 1894-S Barber coin only has a ten-cent face value. As a part of the United States Barber coinage, the S-Barber was created in 1894. It eventually overtook the 1804 Dollar and the 1913 Liberty Head Nickel as one of the most valuable collectors’ coins.

Only nine of the twenty-four such dimes that have ever been produced have survived. Seven of the proven coins have significant wear. One went for $1.3 million in 2005. The cost had increased two years later when another went for almost $2 million.

The “Inverted Jenny” stamp – $1.593 million

The Inverted Jenny is a twenty-four cent USPS postage stamp. It is also known as the “Jenny Invert” or “Upside-Down Jenny.” It was printed in 1918 and featured a Curtiss JN-4 aircraft as its design. This is one of the most well-documented mistakes in American philately annals.

Due to its extreme rarity, just one pane of 100 Jenny Inverts has ever been discovered. A Jenny Invert auctioned for $977,500 in 2007. A Jenny Invert most recently sold at $1.593 million (along with the buyer’s $243,000 premium) in 2018.

Detective Comics #27 – $1.5 million

Rare comics can be purchased by comic book enthusiasts for a hefty price. This is especially true if they include iconic figures like Batman. One such uncommon comic, Detective Comics #27 (the first appearance of Batman), fetched $1.27 million at auction in 2020.

Even without restoration, this edition was nevertheless in sufficient shape to set a new sales record. Detective Comics #27 has only two copies in existence so far. Since #27 was published one year after Action Comics #1, it served as DC’s premiere issue.

First edition James Audubon ‘The Birds of America’ – $9.65 million

A compilation of James Audubon’s hand-painted watercolor birds is called The Birds of America. There are currently only 13 known copies of the enormous, four-volume book series, which has 435 detailed artworks. In 2018, one of these precious volumes was auctioned off.

It brought in over $9 million. Carl W. Knobloch Jr. was the original owner of the book. The family-run Knobloch Family Foundation (KFF), a conservation-focused foundation, will use the proceeds from the sale of the book to support various environment-related issues.

Mohammad Ali’s gloves – $1.1 million

Mohammad Ali-related collectibles have gone on to fetch high prices at auctions. His gloves rank among the most expensive collector’s goods. In 2012, two gloves went for $385,000 each. He wore one set of these gloves during his victory over Sonny Liston.

He wore the other set during his defeat to Joe Frazier. That, however, paled in comparison to the $1.1 million spent by UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta for a set of gloves worn by the illustrious boxer in a 1965 match against Floyd Patterson.

1958 Gibson Korina Explorer – $1.1 million

One of the most recognizable guitar manufacturers in America is Gibson. The firm continues to develop guitars suitable for the stage despite having made instruments for a number of the greatest singers in history. Some Gibsons are worth more than others.

With this 1958 Gibson Korina Explorer, Denmark Street Guitars in London broke the record for the costliest guitar ever when they sold it for $1.1 million. Only about 10 of them were ever produced, and previous owners include Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick, Slash, and Kirk Hammett of Metallica.

Amazing Fantasy #15 – $1.1 million

In 1962, comic books were only a few cents each. Today, a mint copy of Amazing Fantasy #15 may fetch millions of dollars. In August 1962, Peter Parker made his debut as your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man in this issue. The issue was a huge success.

This “key issue comic” has been referred to as the “most renowned comic book” of all time on one comic book website. It’s difficult to locate Amazing Fantasy #15 in its original state. Million-dollar prices are being offered by Spider-Man collectors for this fragment of Spider-man legacy.

The Mummy (1932) movie poster – $1 million

The Mummy, featuring Boris Karloff as the resurrected Imhotep, was released in 1932. With multiple movie reboots throughout the course of the twentieth Century, The Mummy series would proceed to rake in millions. In 2018, an authentic advertising poster from The Mummy fetched $1 million at auction.

Karoly Grosz, who served as the artistic director for Universal Studios’ advertising division, created the poster. The striking colors, the sparse use of white space, as well as the energetic arrangement would inspire subsequent advertisements from many other studios for years.

T206 Ty Cobb baseball card – $1 million

The T206 set was distributed in cigarette packs and loose tobacco. Baseball card sets from the T206 era would go on to become iconic memories in the industry. This is because the color lithographs in the set are of exceptionally high quality and are both uncommon and large.

If in pristine condition, a T206 Ty Cobb baseball card depicting The Georgia Peach himself has been known to fetch up to $1 million. The “Bat off the Shoulder” card is the sole Cobb card to have received PSA 9 classification. It is at least worth $300,000.

1951 Vincent Black Lightning Motorbike – $929,000

The 1951 Vincent Black Lightning Motorbike holds the record for being the most expensive motorcycle ever. It was sold for nearly $1 million in Las Vegas in 2018. Out of the initial 33 made, it is only one of approximately 19 that are currently believed to still exist.

In the beginning, Vincent had it specially constructed in Stevenage, England. It was created for Australian racer Tony McAlpine, who went on to compile a remarkable win total. This bike is just half as costly as the second most expensive motorcycle.

Near Mint 7 PSA Pikachu Illustrator card – $900,000

A very rare Pikachu just sold for almost $900,000 at an auction. It became the priciest Pokémon card ever. The Pikachu Illustrator card was created for a reader contest that was held in 1997–1998 in the Japanese comic book magazine CoroCoro Comic.

The victors of the drawing competition received 39 reproductions of the promotional card. One of the designers of the card game’s rules, Yuichi Konno, uncovered two more copies. This increased the total quantity of Pikachu Illustrator cards produced to just 41.

Beatles – The White Album – $790,000

The White Album, the Beatles’ eighth studio album, was first released in November 1968. Five decades later, Ringo Star’s private edition of the record was put up for auction. Unsurprisingly, it netted an astounding $790,000. There are two reasons for this.

First, Star himself possessed it, and it formed a part of his private collection. He was cited as saying that his fingerprints would be visible on the vinyl when it was given to the new owner. Second, the file was assigned the number No.0000001.

Metropolis (1927) poster – $690,000

The costliest silent movie at the time, Metropolis premiered in 1927. It is a science-fiction movie made in the German expressionist style. It explores socioeconomic strata and the division they cause. Fritz Lang was the director. Graphic designer Heinz Schulz-Neudamm created the poster.

There were only four posters produced, one of which is located in the Museum of Modern Art and the other two are in a private collection and a German museum, respectively. The fourth poster was sold to a US buyer in 2005 for $690,000.

Playboy’s first issue (1953) – $635,000

Marilyn Monroe graced the cover of the inaugural Playboy magazine, which cost 50 cents. Original copies of this in pristine condition are extremely valuable—especially if they are autographed by Hugh Hefner. The December 1953 issue of the magazine has grown to be a precious Playboy relic.

Playboy and Marilyn Monroe had a tumultuous relationship. Hugh Hefner’s career was boosted by the stunning actress, and he developed an obsession with her. Although they never really met, Hefner paid $60,000 to be laid to rest next to her in a vault.

Original Nike Air Jordan 1s – $560,000

When the original Nike Air Jordan 1s were released in the middle of the 1980s, they only cost $65. Peter C. Moore created the footwear for Michael Jordan. Between 1985 and 1986, the Air Jordan 1s were first made available.

Fresh versions are still coming out. Since the Air Jordan 1s were just so popular, Nike quickly followed up with the Air Jordan IIs in 1986. Today, authentic Air Jordan 1 shoes from the 1980s cost over $500,000 each. Retros cost $200 to $400 to buy.

First edition Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone – $471,000

A first copy of Harry Potter went for $471,000 at auction in the United States. This set a record for a 20th-century publication of fiction, according to the auctioneers. It was the colorful hardcover 1997 British print of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

It was described as “fantastic, brilliantly vivid, and so very near immaculate” by Heritage Auctions. Fans all over the world have been inspired by the billion-dollar series. The richest fans will not think twice about shelling out thousands of dollars for a part of the Potterverse legacy.

1934 Lionel standard gauge model train – $250,000

When Lionel created the Standard Gauge toy train in 1906, it was a pioneering design. The train did not meet scale modeling standards; it was a toy standard. The train moved on a triple-rail line. It’s likely that Lionel accidentally made it by interpreting the Marklin European Gauge 2 guidelines incorrectly.

There are believed to be only 500 of these trains surviving in existence today. The trains were manufactured between 1906 and 1934. The 1934 Lionel Standard Gauge Model Train Set is the most complete collection ever made for Standard Gauge.

1964 G.I. Joe first edition action figure – $200,000

The first G.I. Joe figurine was produced in 1964. Although it was a very popular large toy, the cost of production was too exorbitant due to its size. Therefore, the original action figures were shortly discontinued. Hasbro eventually came to a valuable conclusion.

He understood that an action figure with a backstory would be much more likely to be purchased, which marked the start of a world of valiant military heroes. The first issue toy’s value has since increased dramatically; in 2003, it was auctioned off for $200,000 dollars.

First edition The Great Gatsby with dust jacket – $190,000

The Great Gatsby is a well-known, iconic book by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The Jones Brothers, a rare-book center with headquarters in the UK, sold a rare copy for a real bag of cash. The dust jacket from the 1920s was included with the original printing of The Great Gatsby.

Jones attributed the first edition’s value to its “rareness, cover art, and tale.” On the back of the book’s dust jacket, there exists a misprint that reads “jay Gatsby” in lowercase rather than uppercase. A small typo that contributed to the overall value of the book.

Colonel Bob Henderson’s “Teddy Girl” – $171,600

Steiff Teddy Bears are among the most expensive vintage bears in the world. Their rigid joints with mohair coats are well-known characteristics. This specific bear was created in 1905 and given to Bob Henderson as a baby. The bear even saw action during World War II!

The teddy also made it through the D-Day invasion. Henderson later founded Good Bears of the World, a charity that donates teddies to children with medical needs. After he passed away in 1990, the cherished Steiff bear sold at auction for $171,000 dollars.

Super Mario Bros. Test Launch Game – $140,000

Among the most popular video games in America is Super Mario Bros. An original test version of the game from 1985 recently fetched $140,000 at auction. Only a few of the cartridges got released in the test market, making them incredibly rare.

It’s believed that the unopened cartridge that was auctioned off is the sole one of its kind. The sticker label on the unique copy made it simple to identify it. Super Mario Bros. was a game that Nintendo managed to sell forty million copies of.

Air Yeezy 1 prototype – $100,000

The first official Kanye West and Nike partnership produced the Air Yeezy 1. This was listed on eBay a few years ago for $65,000 by the NYC consignment shop Rare Pair. The sneaker wasn’t sold. It was listed for $100,000 at Flight Club one year later.

The size-twelve shoe is unique and was the initial Air Yeezy prototype ever created by Nike. Despite its rarity, there aren’t many visual differences between the sneaker and the retail model that debuted in 2008. Will the recent controversy surrounding Ye affect the price?

1969 Hot Wheels Volkswagen Beach Bomb – ~$72,000

Only fifty of the 144 Volkswagen Beach Bomb prototypes produced by Hot Wheels in 1969 are still known to survive. It’s one of the most uncommon Hot Wheels ever produced, along with the 1970 Mad Maverick and the 2008 Diamond-Encrusted Anniversary Edition.  

There are currently just two, as per collector Bruce Pascal, who also happens to be the owner of one of the Beach Bombs. The pink Volkswagen Hot Wheels automobile was estimated to be in the region of at least $72,000.