10 ‘Junk’ Items From the ‘90s That Are Worth a Small Fortune Today

Many common items people had in their homes in the 1990s, from casual clothing to toys and posters, are now considered either vintage or collectible and are worth serious cash on the resale market. If you've been trying to find an online side hustle that only takes a few hours per week and enjoy collecting or perusing second-hand stores and sales, reselling '90s merchandise could be a lucrative endeavor.

Check your attic, junk drawers, and local sales for these 10 items from the '90s that have been known to sell for small fortunes.

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

Holographic Pokémon cards

Estimated market value: $180-$10,500

The original set of Pokémon cards available in the U.S., known as the "Base Set," was released in 1999. It consisted of 102 cards, several of which were holographic and are still incredibly valuable to this day.

Charizard is the most sought-after, and well-graded versions have sold for $10,000 and beyond. Other holograms are also valuable. A first-edition Chansey card, for example, recently went for nearly $180.

1995 Air Jordans

Estimated market value: $599

That old pair of sneakers taking up space in your closet could be worth a few hundred dollars. When it comes to vintage kicks, though, condition matters a lot.

Vintage Air Jordans from the '90s have been known to sell for serious cash to sneaker collectors. A pair of well-kept black, white, and red Jordans from 1995 recently sold on eBay for nearly $600.

'The Uncanny X-Men' #266 comic

Estimated market value: $500

Many comics from the "Modern Age" are valuable today, though it's often worth it to get them professionally graded. "The Uncanny X-Men" #266, which was released in 1990 and includes the first appearance of the Gambit character, has been known to sell for more than a thousand dollars.

The going rate on eBay today appears to be around $500 for highly graded copies.

Ralph Lauren bear sweaters

Estimated market value: $480

Though you could still purchase new Ralph Lauren bear sweaters today, there's something about '90s styles that makes these cozy classics retain, or go up, in value. A red, 1992 bear sweater recently sold on eBay for $480, and highly sought-after styles have sold for even more.

'The Matrix' DVD

Estimated market value: $409

If you were gifted a copy of the 1999 sci-fi classic "The Matrix" on DVD and happened to store it away somewhere sealed in its original wrapping, you could be looking at a payday exceeding $400.

Rare versions of the DVD, or package deals featuring the full Matrix trilogy, have sold for hundreds as well.

Vintage Levi's 501

Estimated market value: $100-$375

How much you are able to nab for a pair of vintage Levi's depends on the style and the condition, with "deadstock," or unworn jeans that still have their original tags, obviously commanding more.

A pair of deadstock 501s recently sold on eBay for $375, but this is the high end for common denim products. A pair of well-kept, but clearly worn, light blue 501s from the decade recently sold for $100.

1992 'close AM' penny

Estimated market value: $330

Some 1992 pennies have an error known to collectors as "close AM." The A and M in "America" on the reverse of these coins are closer than normal and almost appear to be touching.

While the coins are rare, they are common enough that people do stumble across them still in circulation from time to time. The going rate for a professionally graded "close AM" penny is around $330 on eBay today, though the Professional Coin Grading Service notes one once sold for more than $14,000.

American Library Association 'Read' posters

Estimated market value: $150

Anyone who spent time in a public school or library in the '90s probably remembers the American Library Association's iconic "Read" posters. The posters featured a range of celebrities, and some fan favorites have become quite valuable today.

One poster from 1994 featuring Shaq recently sold on eBay for $150, and they have been known to sell for more.

'Barbie Loves Elvis' dolls

Estimated market value: $60

Though Barbie was huge in the '90s, most dolls from the decade aren't worth much, if anything. Collectible "Barbie Loves Elvis" dolls are a different story. The set features a Barbie dressed in classic '50s garb and an Elvis doll complete with a guitar and microphone.

Sets in their original box, as many collectors kept them, are worth around $60 on eBay.

'Inspector Gadget' Happy Meal toy

Estimated market value: $50

McDonald's partnered with many pop culture icons of the '90s to create some classic Happy Meal toys, but most aren't worth much. An "Inspector Gadget" set released in 1999 is an exception. The toy was released in eight pieces so customers could put their own Inspector together.

The set is worth more if pieces are in their original packaging. One set recently sold on eBay for $50.

Bottom line

Before tossing old toys, clothes, or contents of your junk drawers, check a resale site like eBay to see if you have a money-maker on your hands.

Value, of course, depends on condition and if the items come with their original packaging or tags, but if you know what to look for, reselling nostalgic '90s gear could be a fun way to earn extra money on the side.

You May Also Like

$200 Bonus + Up to 5% Cash Back

Earn a $200 bonus after spending $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. Member FDIC

SPONSORED

5 Ways You Could Make Real Money Without Quitting Your Job

By FinanceBuzz Editors

6 Things To Do If You’re Barely Scraping By Financially

By FinanceBuzz Editors

7 Clever Ways to Crush Your Debt

By FinanceBuzz Editors

Hands Down The Laziest Ways People Are Making Extra Cash

By FinanceBuzz Editors

7 Moves If You Want to Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck

By FinanceBuzz Editors

25 Legit Ways to Make Extra Cash

By Team FBZ

Earn Free Cash Within Minutes — Up To $1,000

4.9

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score products and companies on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence our ratings.

Freecash Benefits

• Earn Free Cash Within Minutes — Up To $1,000
• Has paid out over $100 million to users since 2019
• You choose the offers you want to complete and stack for rewards
• Multiple cash-out options
• “Excellent” Trustpilot Rating (54,000+ reviews, 4.6/5 stars)

4.9

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score products and companies on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence our ratings.

Download Freecash

---

Subscribe Today

Learn how to make an extra $200

Get vetted side hustles and proven ways to earn extra cash sent to your inbox.

or

Subscribe Now →

By submitting this form you agree to receive emails from FinanceBuzz and to the privacy policy and terms