If you grew up in the ’50s or ’60s (or inherited a few boxes from someone who did), you might want to start digging through your attic. What used to be everyday stuff is now collector’s gold. Not all of it, of course, but certain items can be sold for serious money.
The transformation of mid-century household items from mundane to magnificent isn’t just random market fluctuation—it’s a perfect storm of nostalgia, demographics, and cultural shifts that’s been brewing for decades. The post-war boom years gave birth to an entirely new aesthetic of optimism: sleek lines, space-age materials, and bold patterns that screamed “future” to a generation ready to leave the past behind. Fast-forward 60-plus years, and those same items now represent a golden age of American design and prosperity that feels both retro-cool and surprisingly modern.
On that note, we did some digging ourselves and scoured the internet to find the following 10 household items from that era that have gone from junk drawer to jackpot.
1959 Barbie: The Ponytail No. 1
This isn’t your average doll. It’s the original. With her slicked-back ponytail, striped swimsuit, and arched eyebrows, the first Barbie ever made is now a holy grail among collectors. One sold at auction for over $27,000. If yours is still in good shape (or, better yet, in the box), you’re sitting on a small fortune.
What to look for: The holes in the feet distinguish the 1959 No. 1 from later models, and the Roman numeral “1958” markings on the right buttock (reflecting the trademark year).
Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Back then, it was just stylish and practical. Now it’s museum-worthy. Pieces by Eames, Saarinen, or Wegner—those sleek lines and minimalist shapes—are fetching tens of thousands. An original 1956 Eames lounge chair was listed for $34,000+. While the mid-century modern aesthetic permeated many post-war homes, these specific, iconic designer pieces, often aspirational purchases even then, now headline high-end design auctions.
Vintage Pyrex Bowls
People used to cook in them, bang them around the sink, maybe even leave them outside with the dog’s food. Today, certain Pyrex patterns like Butterprint, Bluebell, and Gooseberry are collector catnip.
Individual bowls in good condition can fetch from tens to several hundred dollars, depending on their rarity and size. However, particularly rare or complete sets of these desirable patterns can sometimes command prices well over a thousand dollars. You might still have one in your kitchen cupboard. Check for wear, but don’t toss it – a valuable piece or set could be worth far more than you’d imagine.
The Beatles’ Memorabilia
Lunchboxes, vinyls, posters, if it says “The Beatles” and it’s from the 1960s, it’s highly collectible. While condition and rarity significantly impact value, a genuine piece from that era is usually in high demand. A 1966 Shea Stadium concert poster sold for $175,000, and a Yellow Submarine lunchbox with a matching Thermos fetched $4,500. So, if your dad stashed one in the garage, now’s the time to check.
Levi’s from the ’60s
They weren’t fancy. They were work pants. But vintage Levi’s—especially those with the red tab and selvedge edges—are now fashion relics. One 1960s pair sold for over $4,000. The denim fades, old tags, and even the stitching pattern all add to the value. So, if you’ve got your dad’s old jeans, don’t donate them.
1963 Topps Rookie Stars Baseball Card
Pete Rose wasn’t a Hall of Famer, but his rookie card sure acts like one. This Topps card with four rookies (including Rose) went for $717,000. Cards were tossed, traded, and bent in back pockets, but if you’ve got this one in any condition, even beat up, it’s still worth checking.
Bonus trivia: While the card includes three other rookies, Pete Rose’s legacy as MLB’s all-time hits leader (despite his Hall of Fame ineligibility) is the primary driver of its value.
The Incredible Hulk #1 Comic (1962)
He wasn’t always green. In his first comic appearance, Hulk was gray and kind of awkward. But collectors don’t care. That early edition is a monster on the market. A decent copy pulled in over $260,000, whereas a CGC 9.2 (a very high grade) sold for $320,000 in 2014. Other high-grade copies have commanded similar or even higher prices since then. If you’ve got a stack of comics from the ’60s in a box somewhere, check if Hulk is among them.
Vintage Watches
Not just Rolexes, though those pull big money too. The 1960s gave us the “Paul Newman” Daytona (worth millions), but also sleeper hits like the Blancpain Aqua Lung, a dive watch that sold for nearly $19,000. Even less famous brands are now collectibles. Look for old Swiss-made models with visible wear. Sometimes that patina makes them more valuable.
Comic Book Lunchboxes
Metal lunchboxes were a staple of school life, and ones with pop culture tie-ins like Superman, Batman, or The Flintstones can sell for hundreds. Prices can occasionally reach into the thousands for particularly rare finds, especially for those in near-mint condition, or complete sets including the matching thermos.
While even a worn box featuring a desirable character is typically worth more than a pristine generic one, achieving valuations in the thousands usually requires exceptional condition or extreme rarity, as significant damage will greatly reduce its top value. Nostalgia sells, dents and all, but condition still plays a key role in top-tier prices.
1967 Batgirl Super Queens Doll
Batgirl didn’t get as much attention as Batman, but her vintage doll certainly does. These posin’ dolls are hard to find and even harder to find in good condition. One sold for $17,925. So yes, even a half-forgotten superhero figure in your attic can be worth more than your monthly rent, provided the doll is in the extremely rare, high-grade condition.