1. Pyrex Kitchenware
If you grew up with those colorful mixing bowls in your grandma’s kitchen, you might want to hold onto them. Certain rare patterns—think “Butterprint” or “Gooseberry”—have seen prices stretching into the hundreds or even over a thousand dollars for pristine sets. The nostalgia factor mixed with limited availability has collectors swooning. It’s the perfect example of how something once totally ordinary is now a seriously coveted collectible.
But don’t just glance over your Pyrex and assume it’s worth nothing unless it’s in perfect shape. Even lightly used sets from specific patterns can command big money. The bubbly teal and pink pieces from your childhood are now far more than just cookware—they’re miniature time capsules. With each passing year, the fewer perfect examples there are, the more those prices climb.
2. Vinyl Records
Remember the smell of the needle dropping on vinyl and the crackle heralding your favorite song? First pressings of iconic ’70s albums—especially rock, soul, and rare test pressings—can fetch hundreds or even thousands, depending on condition and rarity. Test pressings, misprints, or limited-run variants are prized for their uniqueness. So that dusty stack of LPs might actually finance your next weekend getaway.
Even albums that seemed like common household items can blow up in value when they carry the right backstory. A sealed pressing or an alternate cover can elevate a record from sentimental to serious cash. It’s not just music—it’s craftsmanship, history, and pop culture all rolled into one. And the market for authentic, well-preserved records just keeps getting louder.
3. Vintage Typewriters
That old clunky typewriter you found gathering dust in the attic? Believe it or not, certain models are hot commodities. Brands like Hermes, Olympia, and Remington—especially in unique colors—have become serious collector magnets. One bright orange 1969 Hermes 3000, for example, recently went for several hundred dollars on eBay. So that dusty relic is probably not just a nostalgia prop anymore.
The magic lies in the craftsmanship and the tangible connection to a time before screens. When your fingers hit those round keys, there’s a rhythm and character you just don’t get from modern keyboards. The design and build quality resonate with vintage enthusiasts and decor lovers alike. And when something feels this good and looks this appealing, the price tag tends to follow.
4. First-Generation Video Games
If you clutch a cartridge of the original Super Mario Bros. or a boxed Atari game, you’re literally sitting on retro gold. Some sealed NES games have sold for astronomical figures—think six or even seven digits. That’s collector-driven demand at its most intense. Even loose cartridges, if rare or mint, can fetch surprising sums.
Gamers and nostalgia hunters both fuel this market. The idea of owning something that launched entire industries or fandoms makes collectors go wild. And as more original systems and games vanish or get damaged, the few remaining ones become all the more prized. If you’ve got one, consider pairing it with your childhood ribbon to cash in.
5. Comic Books of the Late 70s
If you’ve got comics from the late ’70s featuring early appearances of Spider-Man, X-Men, or obscure horror runs, you might be sitting on serious value. Even issues that aren’t ultra-rare can fetch hundreds, and those in top condition can reach into the thousands. It’s the scarcity plus nostalgia that gives them that punch. Consider hunting through that vintage milk crate before selling it at the yard sale.
Key character debuts or cult runs often draw experts and fans alike. Grade matters—mint condition can nearly double what a slightly stressed copy would fetch. Condition, print run, cover art, it all plays into the final figure. So that pile of old comics? Definitely worth a closer look.
6. Lunchboxes with Pop Culture Themes
Remember lugging that Jetsons or Star Wars lunchbox to school every day? Believe it or not, those designs—especially complete with the thermos—can now sell for over a grand. Even slightly battered ones can surprise you. Who knew cafeteria memories would one day become mini jackpots?
The combination of nostalgia, pop-culture cache, and rarity makes them hot collectibles. Because they were everyday items, many didn’t survive the playground—they were dented, faded, or lost their lids. Finding one in decent shape? That’s a collector’s treasure. If your school-era relic is still intact, it might just pay for your coffee habit—or more.
7. Old Sneakers (Air Jordans, Nike Moon Shoes)
If you somehow held onto original Air Jordans, early Nikes, or oddball Kinney shoes, you’ve basically been sitting on a gold mine. A pair of 1972 Nike Moon Shoes once sold for over $400,000 at auction, and game-worn 1985 Jordans fetched even higher. Condition and authenticity drive these prices through the roof. So your old trainers might not just smell nostalgic—they could smell like profit.
Collectors chase these partially for the sneaker culture they represent—early runs, box logos, rare collabs. If you’ve got the box, tags, or even celebrity provenance, prices skyrocket. What were once just kicks are now serious artifacts. Keep them safe—you may be wearing tomorrow’s museum exhibit.
8. Film Cameras (Canon AE-1, Leica, Pentax)
That bulky Canon AE-1 or Pentax K1000 that your folks used? These are more than retro decor; they regularly sell for hundreds. High-end vintage cameras, like Leica M6s with boxes, can go for thousands. It’s not just nostalgia—it’s the tactile and optical quality that modern gear struggles to replicate. Hold onto it; you may soon swap it for something shinier (and heavier).
Even amateur models maintain value thanks to their metal bodies, manual controls, and enduring design. They’re functional, beautiful, and beloved. For film enthusiasts and collectors, these aren’t throw-away dust catchers. They’re analog treasures, and people will pay handsomely for them.
9. Dolls like Kenner Blythe or American Girl
If you discover a Kenner Blythe doll from 1972 or a mint-condition American Girl doll from the ’70s, hold onto your seat. Prices for certain editions climb into the thousands—some Blythe variants reach $4,500 or more. Even dolls that are a little worn still attract serious collector attention. Your childhood playmate could literally become your cash buddy.
These dolls resonate because they capture childhood memories in physical form—complete with outfits and accessories. Original packaging or rare variations just add fuel to the collector fire. And if yours is still around in decent shape, it’s more than nostalgia—it’s collector gold. Treat her gently; value loves condition.
10. Movie Posters & Promotional Art
If there’s an original 1977 Star Wars poster or ‘70s concert flyer hiding in your closet, it may be worth thousands. Even local band promo posters can fetch serious cash if they’re in good condition. Rarity and graphic appeal make these pieces hot in the vintage market. So that rolled-up poster under your bed could be your next weekend fund.
Condition is everything here—crease, edge, print quality, authenticity all factor into value. Some rare printing variants or proofs fetch six figures. Posters combine pop culture, graphic design, and collectible appeal in one package. Next time you’re moving house, give those rolled prints a second glance.
11. VHS Tapes of Blockbuster ’70s Films
You might have stored videotapes of original ‘70s movies like Star Wars or The Goonies—some sealed tapes have sold for tens of thousands. Collectors are especially keen on unopened copies from the VHS era, thanks to nostalgia and rarity. A sealed 1980s horror tape, for instance, can still fetch well into the hundreds—even if it never saw the VCR. So that dusty tape in the attic might just fund your next streaming subscription.
Think of it this way: as media goes digital, the physical becomes rare—and collectors love rare. Those tapes aren’t just stories—they’re relics of cinematic history. With demand high and supply dwindling, prices continue climbing. If it stays sealed, it very likely sells well.
12. Vintage Kitchenware: CorningWare, Cast-Iron Skillets, Pyrex
Some everyday kitchen pieces from the ’70s aren’t just useful—they’re collectible. Rare CorningWare patterns like “Spice of Life” can fetch up to $50,000, while cast-iron skillets (think Griswold spider pattern) have sold for as much as $8,000. Vintage Pyrex too can reach into the thousands when conditions and patterns align. So your old casserole dish or broiler pan might be hiding a serious payday.
These items are prime examples of how durable, charming design outlasts fast-food-era disposability. Collectors want authenticity and nostalgia, and these items deliver both in spades. The beauty is functional—something you can still use and admire. That means your vintage cookware is everyday practicality wrapped in collector appeal.
13. Vintage Toys like Action Figures or Playsets
Remember playing with your He-Man, G.I. Joe, or Star Wars figures? Some of those, especially pre-1983 editions or whole playsets, now fetch jaw-dropping sums. For example, certain Star Wars prototypes have sold for over half a million dollars, and rare He-Man sets have reached $7,000+. Even loose figures in good condition hold serious value. What was once backyard battlefield fodder is now serious collector gold.
Collectors prize pieces still on card—or even just in great shape. The combination of nostalgia, pop culture, and storytelling makes them irresistible. Just one adventure ending box could mean your Miller Time—or your collector payday. Remember how you used to battle villains with them? Now they battle for attention in auctions.
14. VHS Home-Movie Style Tapes (Sealed or Rare Releases)
Beyond blockbuster tapes, unopened VHS copies of early ‘70s TV specials or rare releases can also grab hefty sums—sometimes in the thousands. These obscure titles, preserved in packaging, represent cultural niche that enthusiasts love. Unlike common tapes, these hidden gems are often unique and unshared. That means your dusty holiday reel might one day fund a vacation.
Home-movie-esque tapes are especially rare to find in unopened condition. And when nostalgia meets rarity, values shoot up. They appeal to archivists, nostalgia collectors, and media historians alike. The fact they survived is itself a story worth saving—and selling.
15. Vintage Advertising Tins and Ephemera
Old coffee tins, promotional packaging, and vintage labels from the ’70s carry more than product—they carry aesthetics. Collectors often pay hundreds—or more—for well-preserved pieces with memorable branding. A beautifully designed tin, especially featuring nostalgic themes, can become a showpiece. That chipped coffee container or promotional tin on your pantry shelf may just be décor gold.
Design-minded collectors love these for display and storytelling. They combine nostalgia, packaging design, and brand history into one small artifact. And with social media fueling retro-style decor trends, they’re suddenly ultra-desirable. What once stored sugar might now store money—or at least your morning brew.
This post 15 Everyday Items From the 70s Now Selling for Shocking Prices was first published on Greenhouse Black.
