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9 CDs From the '90s That Are Worth a Small Fortune Now

One three-song promo CD from the late '90s recently sold for $6,000.

By Calista Headrick , Edited by Sara Albertelli

Updated Aug. 18, 2026

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Physical media is making a comeback, and CDs, once thought obsolete with the rise of streaming, are creeping back into mainstream popularity as well. CD sales spiked 16% in the first half of 2026, according to data from Luminate, far outpacing the growth of vinyl sales, and data suggest many buyers skew younger. If you are trying to find an online side hustle, you may not need to look further than your old CD tower that's been collecting dust for a few decades.

Some CDs from the '90s, particularly those offered as limited editions or only released in certain countries, are incredibly valuable today. Check your collection for these nine '90s gems now worth a small fortune.

Editor's note: All estimated market data come from eBay, unless otherwise stated.

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'Safety' - Coldplay

Estimated market value: $5,999

A self-released EP from Coldplay, "Safety," seems to be the most valuable CD of the '90s, if you happen to have one of only a few hundred copies that were released back in 1998. The promotional CD was released before the British rock band was signed to a label and is a major get for any collector.

Recent eBay sales indicate value sits around $6,000 for the simple, three-song CD.

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'Smile' - Michael Jackson

Estimated market value: $3,125

"Smile" is an elusive find for Michael Jackson collectors, and when these CDs do pop up, they are worth several thousand dollars. If you have never heard of the album, that's because the five-track 1997 CD, which included the single "Smile," was canceled at the last minute and most copies were destroyed.

Some did survive, and the most recent sale for one of those on Discogs exceeded $3,100.

'Penny Royal Tea' - Nirvana

Estimated market value: $1,300

Most copies of the single CD featuring a new version of "Pennyroyal Tea," a song that was featured on Nirvana's 1993 album "In Utero," were destroyed after frontman Kurt Cobain's tragic death in 1994.

A few of these CDs survived, and the most valuable of those appears to be a UK version, which only features the one song and is labeled "Penny Royal Tea" rather than "Pennyroyal Tea."

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'One More Chance' - Madonna (Japan promo)

Estimated market value: $1,295

A single CD released in Japan to promote Madonna's song "One More Chance" off her 1995 album "Something To Remember" is highly sought after among music collectors.

An opened version kept in good condition recently sold on eBay for nearly $1,300.

The Slim Shady LP - Eminem

Estimated market value: $1,000

A CD of Eminem's 1999 release, which features the massive hit "My Name Is," is much more valuable if you have an original, sealed pressing, or even better, a promotional copy.

One rare promo copy, which a seller apparently lucked out and picked up at an estate sale, recently sold on eBay for nearly $1,000.

'Crystal Ball' - Prince

Estimated market value: $115-$550

There are a few different versions of CD box sets containing Prince's 1998 album "Crystal Ball." One of those, a four-disk box that includes 3 "Crystal Ball" CDs and one of the Purple One's next albums, "The Truth," has remained quite valuable and, even in used condition, is worth more than $100.

Another version of the set, which contains a total of five discs, is worth even more, with a used version attracting plenty of attention on eBay with a $550 asking price.

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Celine Dion (self-titled) long-box edition

Estimated market value: $400

Certain versions of Celine Dion's self-titled 1992 release have become quite valuable on the resale market, including a collectible version that came in a "long-box."

Recently, an unopened version of the collectible, a first pressing of the album, sold on eBay for nearly $400.

'Illmatic' - Nas

Estimated market value: $250

While used copies of Nas' 1994 album "Illmatic" can reliably net about $50 on the resale market if kept in good condition, those considered mint or still factory sealed in original wrapping sell for much more.

A box set featuring a "gold edition" of the album is also quite valuable on eBay, worth around $140, though these were released after the '90s.

'The Chronic' - Dr. Dre

Estimated market value: $200

Dr. Dre's first solo album "The Chronic" was released in late 1992 and, with hits like "Nuthin' But a 'G' Thang," became a massive hit. Today, these CDs are quite valuable even in used condition.

A first-press kept in very good (near mint) condition recently sold on eBay for $200.

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Bottom line

Reselling CDs that have become collectibles could be a fun way to make some extra money on the side, especially if you have a large collection or enjoy perusing garage or estate sales for merchandise. However, most '90s CDs, especially those that were mass-produced, are not worth much today.

Special editions, foreign imports, and very early releases from well-known artists tend to be worth the most. Be sure to double-check that you have the valuable version or pressing by reviewing recent sales on sites like eBay or Discogs before listing.

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