These Items From The 1970s Could Put Some Good Money In Your Pocket
If you're sitting on any of these finds from the 1970s you could put some decent cash in your wallet. From hard-to-find kitchen supplies to action figures and a David Bowie album, these prized possessions were owned by millions of children and adults.
Some of our top finds are worth upwards of $10,000 and you likely owned a few of these collector's items if you grew up or raised children in the '70s.
Star Wars Early Bird Certificate Package: Up To $700
The Star Wars Early Bird Certificate Package debuted in the 1970s and includes a stand-up display, a sticker sheet, and a bunch of Star Wars figurines.
While some Star Wars figures from that time period have sold for $25,000, this set is likely to bring in a more modest, yet still impressive, $700. Sure, it will need to be in near-mint condition, but even a slightly worn set can easily fetch hundreds of dollars. If you have an original in-the-box Luke Skywalker from 1978, it could be worth five figures.
Hot Wheels Mechanical Watches: Up To $265
In 1970, the team at Hot Wheels started selling a limited edition Hot Wheels mechanical watch. As you can see in this photo, the hour and minute hands featured cars from the toy manufacturers' collection.
Hot Wheels sold a ton of these watches which means the likelihood of finding one is higher than some other items on our list. Even with lots of sales, the watches in great condition can still sell for nearly $300.
1970s Thor Pez Dispenser: Up To $180
In the 1930s, the Pex candy dispenser debuted. By the 1970s, the team at Pez was pushing out collectible versions of the candy dispenser at breakneck speeds. Among those collectibles is the Thor edition.
If you have this Pez candy dispenser laying around your home, it could be worth up to $180. Not bad for a piece of plastic that still only costs a few dollars to buy these days.
Superman's Ex-Pal: $10,000 Is Within Reach
The 1970s brought about Superman's Ex-Pal, Jimmy Olsen #1, a comic book that sold for $350 in 2016. That price was based on a rather poor grade rating.
A copy of the comic graded at 7.5 sold for $6,274 in 2008 and a mint-condition or near-mint version of Superman's Ex-Pal could reach upwards of $10,000. It's a rare comic but if you've been sitting on a pile of 1970s comic books, this is one you should be searching for right now.
Walk Lively Steffie Barbie: Up To $800
The 1970s were a popular period for Barbie dolls, and the Walk Lively Steffie Barbie is one of the rarest finds from that time period. The Steffie Barbie features a psychedelic look that is worth upwards of $800.
To bring in that price, you'll need a still-in-the-box Barbie in mint condition. Still, a non-mint edition version could bring in hundreds of dollars based on the rarity of the doll in general.
1970s IKEA Furniture: Up To $3,000
IKEA has become a global powerhouse in the past several decades. In the 1970s IKEA wasn't the go-to furniture store it is today. The company was selling teak bookshelves and cabinet combos in the 1970s and they are worth a ton of money today.
That combo can bring in $3,000, not bad for two items that cost well below $100 more than 40 years ago. The items do need to be in good condition to fetch that type of money.
1976 Batman: Up To $500
Batman was very cartoonish in the 1970s, and this Batman figure from 1976 highlights everything we love about the original DC character.
From the bright pink packaging to the pastel-colored cape and mask, this rare Batman figure has brought in up to $500 on eBay. For that price, you need a "new in box" figure. On its own, the figure could still bring in a few hundred dollars because it's a rarity.
Nancy Drew Lunchbox And Thermos: Up To $280
The Nancy Drew book series is still read by children in the 21st century, what many readers might not realize is that it started way back in the 1930s.
In the '70s, a lunchbox and thermos were sold for just a few dollars. Today, this item can bring in upwards of $280. Your lunchbox needs to include the matching thermos to fetch top dollar. Time to go check your storage area for this hidden gem.
David Bowie's Diamond Dogs LP: Up To $3,550
In 1974, the David Bowie Diamond Dogs LP dropped and became an instant classic. The vinyl featured a cartoonish Bowie-dog which showed Bowie on the top and a dog on the bottom. The dog half featured a dog's private parts which led RCA to retouch the artwork before the vinyl was released.
Before the original copies were destroyed, employees at RCA grabbed some of the originals and they have since entered the open market. One copy of the vinyl was sold in 2003 for $3,550. That vinyl is likely worth even more almost 20 years later.
Talking Busy Barbie: Up To $580
In the 1970s, the team behind Barbie released a high-tech version of the popular doll. This Barbie doll features functional hands that are capable of holding various items including a photo, record player, and more.
If you have this Barbie in the original box, it can fetch up to $580 on eBay. Even if the toy isn't in the original packaging, it can still sell for more than $200 when discovered in decent condition.
Sports Illustrated Games
In 1971 the team at Sports Illustrated decided to start selling a board game based on America's favorite pastimes. The baseball version was released for two years and each year focused on the current season.
While the board game didn't stay on the market for long, it's that scarcity that has pushed the price for mint-condition games to $270. Even in non-mint condition, you may still get up to $100 for this little-remembered novelty game.
Tom And Jerry Lunchbox And Thermos: Up To $450
In 1973 a Tom and Jerry lunchbox with thermos was released. The lunchbox, pictured here, features Tom, Jerry, and a gaggle of their friends. It was a popular school-time purchase and it has become a sought-after collector's item in the 21st century.
If you have the original lunchbox and thermos, they are selling for around $450. That's a nice little return on a set that cost just a few dollars back in 1973.
Electronic Typewriters From The 1970s: Up To $1,200
Typewriters found their place in the 1940s. Original typewriters can sell for thousands of dollars, while typewriters from the 1970s, which were the first to go electric, can sell for upwards of $1,200.
The pictured typewriter is a 1970s Olympia SM9 Deluxe Portable Typewriter Cyrillic from Germany and it's selling for $700 on eBay.
Legoland Town Shell Station: Up To $1,700
The Legoland Town Shell Station is a holy grail for Lego collectors. If you grew up in the 1970s and early 1980s you likely remember this relic from the past.
The mini Shell station, which debuted in 1978, has recently sold for $1,699 and you may get even more if the item is in mint condition. We love this product partially because it shows how little Shell stations have changed over the past 40 years.
Evel Knievel Stunt Cycle: Up To $300
Evel Knievel became an American icon in the 1970s and his stunt cycle was one of the hottest Christmas presents around. Thanks to his death-defying stunts, Knievel captured the hearts and minds of kids all over the country.
It's hard to find a factory-sealed box for this toy because it was so much fun to play with. If you have a stunt bike in decent condition, it could fetch you upwards of $300.
Vintage Pyrex Averages Around $100 Per Piece Today
Pyrex from the 1970s is superior compared to products being offered today. Head into many a kitchen and you're likely to find at least one Pyrex hand-me-down that is still going strong in the 21st century.
If you have Pyrex from the 1970s, the average single piece now sells for $100. Sell an entire set and you could make enough money to buy yourself something nice or pay off some bills.
Mego Kiss Toys: Up To $1,000
Mego started making action figures in the 1950s, and by the 1970s their production lines were churning out different figures for various promotional purposes. Among the company's lineup were Mego Kiss action figures for each of the bandmates.
Released in 1978, the full set of figured in unopened packaging is worth around $1,000. Even if not featured in their original packaging, these toys can sell for hundreds of dollars in decent condition.
Kenner Toys' Creepy Serpent Toy From 1978: Up To $6,000
Kenner Toys hit the jackpot in the late 1970s and early 1980s with its Stretch Armstrong action figure but did you know that wasn't the company's first stretch-based toy? A creepy little green serpent was released first and it's worth a ton of money.
While a mint-condition Stretch Armstrong can fetch up to $500, the serpent toy version, due to its incredible rarity, can bring in $6,000 in mint condition.
Corgi Toys Batmobile + Batboat And Trailer: Up To $2200
Corgi Toys, a major name in the model cars business, released a Batmobile, Batboat, and Trailer combo in 1976, and the gift set has become a popular collector's item among the DC crowd.
The gift set, an instant and weird classic, regularly sells for $1,000, even when the original box is missing. A near-mint-condition set in the box even sold for $2,200. We can't picture Batman relaxing in his boat on a lake but it's definitely a unique option.
Barbie Dream House: Up To $750
Released in 1979, the A-Frame Barbie Dream House arrived with plenty of rooms and its own furniture. Little kids all over the United States flocked to this prized possession and it remains a sought-after gift even today.
The Dream House is so popular that it has its own dedicated website where Barbie fans discuss restoring the homes to their original 1970s luster. The $750 price tag has been paid for Barbie Dream Houses that are in excellent condition.
The Evel Knievel BMX Bike: Up To $830
We've already talked about the popular Evel Knievel stunt bike, a great toy loved by children all over America. For kids who wanted a bit more physical activity from their toys, there was the Evel Knieval bicycle.
The Knievel-inspired BMX bike didn't sell like the cheaper stunt bike toy but it's a unique product from the 1970s that has recently fetched up to $830 on eBay. A few recent listings for near-mint condition bikes have reached between $1,300 and $2,300.
