The 1990s was a decade where pop culture took the driver’s seat. It was the birth of grunge music, cinematic diversity, and the growth of fast food. It was a great decade to be alive — especially for collectors.
The 90s introduced us to many toys and games that we’d never thought would be of any value today. So if you were the hoarding type, best get out that old box of nostalgia because some of those items may be worth some big bucks. Here are some collectibles from the 90s that are still valuable today.
Furby
Image: ebay
First released in 1998, Furby is a toy that looks like a cross between an owl and a furry pillowcase. It rose to popularity because of its so-called “intelligence” and sold over 40 million units in its first three years.
With their big eyes and odd voice, some find them cute, while some find them just downright creepy. But if you happen to have a first edition laying around, you’re in luck. Some of these furry critters can sell for at least US$ 500.
Super Mario Brothers 3
Image: DKOldies
Most gamers would remember this game bundled with the Nintendo Entertainment System. What makes this extremely valuable is that Nintendo released the game separately for a short period of time. eBay user DKOldies was reportedly able to sell a sealed and complete unit in the box for a whopping US$ 30,000.
Pokémon Cards
Image: Weiss Auctions
Pokémon’s popularity today stems from its video game franchise. Back then and apart from playing Pokémon Red/Blue, card collecting was the way to go. Hence, it doesn’t come as a surprise that some of the cards would be worth a chunk of change.
Such as a 1999 perfect grade 10 Holographic Charizard card was reportedly sold for US$ 11,999. Though, the card that can really rake in the cash is the Pikachu Illustrator card. Only 20 to 39 have been known to exist and the card fetches a price tag of US$ 50,000 to US$ 100,000.
Magic: The Gathering
Image: openboosters
This card game took the 90s by storm and has since evolved into a whole culture even today. For seasoned players, the value of these cards comes at no surprise. A “Power Nine” set, which consists of rare and powerful cards, can be valued at least US$ 25,000. But, it’s the elusive Black Lotus card that brings home the big bucks. In 2019, a mint condition card sold for $166,100!
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
Image: Bloomsbury
J.K. Rowling released the first Harry Potter book in 1997. It almost instantly became a pop culture phenomenon with a strong fandom that still exists today.
If you happen to be lucky enough to own one of the 500 copies of the hardcover UK first edition that contains the print line “10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1” and the author listed as Joanne Rowling (not just J.K.), you can sell it for up to US$ 88,000.00. But if you’ve got the rarer misprint first edition with a misspelled “Philosopher’s Stone”, then you’ve hit the jackpot! That version can go as high as US$ 185,000.00!
Final Thoughts
Let’s face it. When it comes to things that bring us joy, it sometimes pays to be a hoarder. The next time you head out to a store to buy a book or a toy, listen to your gut. Because what you buy now could bring you a wad of cash in the future.
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