40 Unexpected Valuables Your Parent’s Basement Might Be Hiding

It could be beneficial to take a trip down memory lane. Why? Because there are some items from your childhood that could be worth revisiting. While it’s important to tidy up, declutter, and dispose of unnecessary things, there’s often value in preserving old items—and your parents’ house is the ideal place to uncover hidden treasures.

Typewriters

The older a typewriter is, the more valuable it tends to be. If your parents inherited a model from before the 1940s and it’s still functional, it could be worth up to $800 today.

Vinyl Records

Looking for a reason to dust off your family’s record collection? If your parents still have any of these valuable vinyl records, they could be worth thousands.

Beanie Babies

Contrary to popular belief, the beloved critters from our past aren’t usually worth thousands of dollars today. However, if your family preserved a first-edition Princess Diana Bear in pristine condition, it could be valued at close to $50 or more.

Rotary Phones

Everyone used to have these, and now they’re practically antiques! Some of the rarer models can be worth hundreds, so you might not want to toss them out after all.

Crayola Crayons

If your family kept an antique box of vintage colors, it could be valued at up to $500 today. Explore the colorful backstory of the iconic brand to understand why.

Mom’s Wedding Dress

Didn’t wear Mom’s wedding dress like she hoped you would? Don’t feel guilty— if it’s still hanging in her closet, you can help her sell it for up to $250 or more.

Silverware

Recall the silverware your parents reserved for special occasions? If it originated from your grandparents or great-grandparents, you might be in luck: a full antique set can fetch hundreds today.

Jadeite Kitchenware

If your family inherited this distinctive ’40s kitchenware, some pieces could be valuable for resale. Salt and pepper shakers fetch close to $50, while loaf pans are valued at almost $150.

Fine China

When the days of dinner parties are over, it’s time to sell the china. Take your parents’ collection to an appraiser specializing in antiques for an expert opinion.

Cookie Jars

Dive into this: vintage cookie jars hold monetary value. A collector’s favorite is the National Pottery Co.’s “Cookies All Over,” which can sell for up to $75 per jar. Other rarer jars are worth more than $250.

Vintage Luggage

Luggage is a favorite among collectors. If your family owns a mid-century set in good condition, it could be worth hundreds today.

First-Edition Books

Did mom and dad keep copies of your favorite children’s books? First-edition classics like “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and “The Velveteen Rabbit” can fetch anywhere from $100 to over $1,000.

Family Board Games

The same applies to first or collector’s edition board games. If you’ve kept a family favorite in mint condition, it could be sold for the same price or even more today. The rarest board games are worth thousands.

Perfume Bottles

Your mom’s signature scent might not be worth a fortune, but the glass bottle it came in could be. Yes, perfume bottle collecting is a real thing—and the right ones can fetch hundreds.

Vintage Advertising Signs

If your parents used one of these as basement decor, you might consider selling it. Vintage metal signs from brands like Coca-Cola and John Deere can fetch up to $300 today.

Small Appliances

That old toaster your mom tucked away? Bring it back out. Some vintage toasters are worth hundreds now. The same goes for mid-century Oster blenders, as long as they’re fully restored.

Record Player

If you have an old record player in the family, consider refurbishing it. Most vintage working turntables fall in the $500 to $600 range today, but some can sell for up to $3,500.

Retro Video Games

Those hours you spent gaming from the family room couch weren’t wasted! Nowadays, collectors will pay thousands for retro video games.

Original Fiestaware

We all adore Fiestaware—but did your family have the authentic stuff? Original Fiestaware from the 1930s can fetch hundreds now, particularly since some of the original colors were discontinued. A complete vintage set can even fetch close to $1,500.

Boy Scout Memorabilia

If your brother was a Boy Scout, his merit badges might be valuable to collectors. Patches that are sewn or used are worth a bit less than those in pristine condition, but they can still fetch a good price.

Old Cookbooks

Need another reason to love Julia Child? If your parents got their hands on a copy of her original cookbook published by Knopf in 1961, it could be worth hundreds this year.

Antique Tools

Your dad’s old woodworking tool might outperform its modern counterpart—and that could mean it’s worth more money if sold today. Some saws, hand drills, and wrenches are highly sought-after by collectors.

Vintage Lunchboxes

Who would’ve thought the metal lunchbox you used in elementary school would become a hundred-dollar novelty? (Especially if you still have the matching Thermos!)

Vintage Purses

If your mom has outgrown her vintage Chanel, she might want to consider putting it back on the market. Designer handbag styles often come and go, which means secondhand purses can sell for more than double their original price.

Old Magazines

Known as “ephemera” by collectors, some limited-edition magazines can be sold for hundreds today. Consider factors such as popular culture, historic events, and the issue date before you sell. And when in doubt, seek an appraisal.

Musical Instruments

Did you grow up with a guitar player at home? Their instrument could be worth a small fortune—especially if it was part of the Fender family. Many 1960s Fender Stratocasters sell for nearly $2,000 or more.

Jewelry

When was the last time you checked your mom’s jewelry box? From brooches to pendants, bracelets, and earrings, chances are there are a few beautiful pieces she still owns—and hardly wears—that are worth thousands.

Signed Yearbook

If you went to high school with a famous athlete or celebrity and there’s a chance they signed your yearbook, dig it out of the closet and consult with an expert. You might sell it for a small fortune.

Clocks

If your parents still have that old fancy wall clock, it might be worth taking down for an appraisal. Antique clocks with trademarks are especially valuable to collectors and often sell for thousands of dollars.

Vintage Toys

Your favorite old toy might be a thing of the past, but it could fetch some nice pocket cash today. Vintage pogo sticks can sell for close to $50, and original Cabbage Patch Dolls are worth hundreds.

Patchwork Quilts

Do you still have one of these cozy beauties adorning the foot of your old bed? If so, it might be time to fold it up for sale. The most rare and sought-after patchwork quilts are worth thousands today.

Old Tupperware

Did your mom keep her first set of Tupperware? If so, she could sell it for close to $200 today. Check the kitchen cupboards for vintage Pyrex, too—some pieces are reportedly worth thousands.

Porcelain Dolls

Doll collecting is a serious market. If the women in your family kept a particular vintage or antique doll in pristine condition, she could be worth anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000 or more.

Vintage Eyeglasses

Be on the lookout for old eyeglasses tucked away in nightstand drawers. Some name-brand pairs more than 25 years old could be worth nearly $1,000 today.

VHS Tapes

While streaming services are great, are we the only ones missing those warm and fuzzy VHS tapes? Apparently not—some collectors are willing to pay hundreds of dollars for them.

Chest of Drawers

An old chest of drawers, whether used for clothes, toys, or as a decorative armoire, can hold significant value—especially if it was passed down from another family member. In fact, some antique pieces are selling for thousands today.

Rocking Chair

If the rocking chair that adorned your baby room was passed down from a previous generation, it could be worth hundreds to a collector. Windsor rockers are among the most popular models.

Sewing Machine

Let’s hope mom kept her old Singer sewing machine. Some vintage models can fetch over $1,000 today.

Christmas Ornaments

We know, you just packed away the Christmas ornaments. But here’s your reason to bring them back out! Some antique ornaments and hand-blown glass pieces are worth hundreds, if not thousands, to collectors.

Artwork

Even if you’re not related to Picasso, you can still benefit from fine artistry. If your family has an old antique painting hidden in the attic, consider taking it to an appraiser. You might just have an unknown masterpiece on your hands.

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