Here’s How Much Your Vintage 1970s Toys Might Be Worth
Written by
Kellan Jansen
Edited by
Chris Cluff
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We all have our favorite toys from childhood. But could yours have value beyond their nostalgia? If they’re from the 1970s, it’s definitely possible.
These seven vintage ’70s toys are all worth at least several hundred dollars.
Also see how much 1990s vintage toys could fetch.
Star Wars Action Figures
First released in 1977, “Star Wars” is still one of the most beloved entertainment franchises on the planet. That’s why Star Wars action figures from the 1970s routinely sell for hundreds of dollars.
Yours could be worth even more than that if they’re in great condition and, ideally, still in their original packaging. For example, a 1978 Luke Skywalker action figure recently sold for an astonishing $25,000.
Walk Lively Barbie Dolls
Barbie debuted way back in 1959 at the New York Toy Fair, but she’s arguably more popular than ever, thanks to the recent film. That has made vintage Barbie dolls popular amongst collectors.
Any of your 1970s Barbies could be worth something. But collectors are especially fond of the brand’s “Walk Lively” collection. Those that are still in their original packaging can sell for $900 or more.
Stretch Armstrong
Times were simpler in the 1970s, and that’s reflected in some of its most popular toys. Stretch Armstrong, for example, was just an action figure that you could stretch out a lot. But the $11 toy earned its manufacturer, Kenner, over $50 million — showing just how popular it became.
If you still have your Stretch Armstrong, you may be in luck. Some rare models have sold for as much as $4,500 in original packaging. Yours may not be worth that much, but it could still sell for several hundred dollars, as some have this year.
Hot Wheels Cars
Hot Wheels cars were first released in 1968, and they have been popular ever since. But some 1970s models are particularly sought after by collectors.
For example, original Hot Wheels Redline cars are valuable when they’re in good condition. Groups of under 10 have sold on eBay for as much as $500 recently. Yours could be worth even more than that if they’re still in original packaging.
Classic Superhero Action Figures
Rare superhero action figures from the 1970s also can be worth quite a bit. For example, an original 1976 Wonder Woman doll in original packaging sold for over $1,000. So, too, did a 1974 Bruce Wayne doll.
If your old action figures aren’t in original packaging, they may still be worth something. Plenty of vintage superhero action figures have sold for between $50 and $100 on eBay recently. That could add up quickly if you still have a closet full of toys.
Evel Knievel Bike
Few 1970s-era celebrities were as popular as the daredevil Evel Knievel — especially for kids. So it’s no surprise that his 1970s branded bike became such a hit. It’s still highly sought after by collectors today.
In fact, an original 1970s Evel Knievel bicycle just sold for $1,500 on eBay. Yours could be worth a similar amount — or a bit less if it’s not in great condition.
Vintage Comics
If you collected comics during the 1970s, you could be in line for a big payday. Bundles of superhero comics from this era routinely sell for hundreds of dollars on eBay.
Yours could be worth even more than that if they’re graded. This involves having a trusted organization review your comics for damage. Each gets a grade ranging from one to 10 based on the amount of damage it has.
It could be worth getting your comics graded if they seem to be in great condition still. But you can sell them without any grading if you prefer.
How To Sell Your Vintage 1970s Toys
These are just a few examples of 1970s toys that are worth $100 or more. Collectors appreciate many other vintage toys, too. If you’d like to sell yours, the first step will be choosing a platform to do it on. Most people use eBay.
Next, price your toys to sell. That means comparing them to similar toys on eBay and charging a fair price based on what you see. You’ll also need to share good pictures of your items to entice collectors.
All you have to do after that is wait for the bids to come in and ship your items off to whoever buys them. These few steps could be all that stands between your old toy collection and hundreds of dollars added to your bank account.
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