12 Vintage Purses That Are Worth a Fortune Today

If you're someone who has a collection of handbags and is unsure if they're even worth anything, you may be sitting on some hidden treasures.

Purse fanatics are willing to pay thousands for coveted, out-of-production styles, whether they're decades old or just from the past 10 years. Even used bags can fetch a good price, while rare, high-value models can sell for a small fortune, making handbag resale a great way to earn some extra income.

Here are 12 "vintage" purses that may be worth trying to resell.

Introduced to the world in 1984, the Birkin Bag is one of the most iconic purse designs in the world, fabricated with various hides like calf leather, lizard, or ostrich.

Depending on the style, a vintage Birkin Bag can range in price from $8,000 to over $130,000. Older crocodile models in particular are extra valuable. Sotheby's previously offered a 2009 white crocodile Birkin for a whopping $135,000.

There's nothing more adorable than a basket-style purse. While this bag may seem newer with its 2004 release date, it's still renowned worldwide and heavily pursued by vintage purse lovers.

On Madison Avenue Couture, the bag went for $8,500. Selling a purse like this is a great way to get ahead financially. 

One of the most iconic purses of all time, the Chanel Double Flap Bag, also known as the 2.55, has made its name in history and continues to be sold today. This design originated in 1955, and these vintage versions typically sell for $5,000 to $7,000.

Auction house Sotheby's recently sold one from 1986 to 1988 for $4,500.

While Gucci still produces crocodile leather purses today, the originals have only risen in price and popularity, going for thousands of dollars.

One eBay seller has a vintage hot-pink Crocodile Bag from the 1950s with a starting bid of $41,000.

Designed by Catherine Chaillet and named after her daughter, the Constance Bag was introduced in 1959 and remains one of the brand's most iconic pieces. The sleek minimalist design features the classic Hermes "H," which secures the bag's top flap.

Vintage versions of this bag are nearly impossible to get a hold of. One purse is available on eBay, starting at a mere $55,000.

This ultra-modern looking Chanel purse that was first released in 2013 mimics the look and shape of a Lego brick, hence its nickname as "the Lego clutch" and is highly coveted by collectors.

Even lightly used models are regularly listed for well over $10,000.

The original Louis Vuitton Drawstring Bucket Bag was designed for a reason. In 1932, a champagne producer asked designer Gaston-Louis Vuitton to create a bag that could comfortably fit and protect five bottles of champagne. Thus, the Bucket Bag was born.

This iconic design can still be found today, typically available for around $500 to $3,000, depending on the year. A navy blue leather version is currently listed on eBay for $5,000.

2017 might not seem that long ago, but in purse years, that's considered vintage. A part of Karl Lagerfeld's final collections, the Gabrielle was allegedly inspired by virtual reality sunglasses and can be worn as a shoulder bag, a clutch, or a backpack.

A 2020 Chanel Gabrielle was previously on sale at Sotheby's for $5,427.80.

Originally designed in 2009, Fendi's Peekaboo bag became one of the brand's most popular designs. Vintage versions of these large leather handbags with turn-lock closures can now sell anywhere from $800 to over $4,000.

The RealReal, a luxury goods marketplace, has a 2010 leather Peekaboo available for $1,075.

This design was released in 1996 and was specifically designed for Princess Diana. Originally called the Chouchou, the bag was later named after the late princess. This mini quilted and charmed purse is typically worth a few thousand dollars a piece and has been released in several color options.

A lucky eBay shopper recently purchased a black Lady Dior for $3,561.59.

Featuring the beloved Celine Triomphe logo, this Canvas Crossbody Bag design is the perfect size and can be switched from a handbag to a crossbody bag with ease, thanks to the comfortable strap.

If you're looking to sell your own or find one to buy, you should know that on marketplace sellers like eBay, these bags are being sold for as high as $3,000.

If you ever see a small woven basket purse with a carved sea animal on the top, chances are you're looking at a Nantucket Lightship Basket Purse. These adorable designs were made in the 1950s and 1960s and typically sell for a few hundred dollars at a time.

Some special editions, like the whale design, are selling for nearly $2,000.

That purse collection sitting in the back of your closet may just be a way for you to earn extra income outside of work. If handbags aren't your thing, there are many other things out there that collectors are willing to pay top dollar for like baseball cards, vintage toys, and more, so just keep your eye out.