Hidden Treasures: The most common home items worth more than £3 million!

A new study by Audley Villages has revealed the most common household items and trinkets that could be worth more than £3 million

Have old toys, items or collectibles been gathering dust in the attic or garage? Been meaning to get rid of them? Well don’t throw them away just yet as they may be worth a pretty penny.

Audley Villages has revealed the most popular items people have hidden in their homes, from Polly Pockets and Beanie Babies to baseball cards and comic books, we help you to distinguish "trash" from "treasure". Read on to see if hoarding may have actually earned you up to £3 million!

 

1. Persian Rugs

 

1. Persian Rugs

Persian rugs are among the top finds, renowned for their multifaceted design, durability, function, and diverse colours, these rugs not only look extravagant but may also have been affordable when originally purchased. However, when a Persian rug reaches more than 100 years old, it becomes an 'Antique' Persian rug. The older most Persian rugs get, the rarer they become and the more valuable, accumulating value of up to £800,000.

 

2. Comic Books

 

2. Comic Books

A lot of us have purchased a comic at some point in our lives but how can you tell if it’s worth something? The comic book market is primarily focused on vintage comics, primarily published in the 1930’s to 1970’s. One way to gauge if your comics are valuable is by looking at the cover price. The valuable comic books tend to have 10c, 12c, 15c, 20c, or 25c written on the cover. Most comics that say 30c or higher on the cover are of later vintage and are much less valuable. However there are exceptions and limited editions or comics which feature important characters, or art by esteemed artists can be worth up to £800,000.

 

3. Pokemon Cards

 

3. Pokemon Cards

Those who grew up in the nineties may have spent part of their childhood swapping Pokemon cards with friends, on the hunt for the most powerful pokemon in the game. While the cards used to retail for £3 or £4 a packet, they have accumulated significant value over time with one card being sold for £43,450. The rarest cards tend to be the holographic cards and they have the potential to sell for much more when in pristine condition or original packaging.

 

4. Duck Decoys

 

4. Duck Decoys

Duck decoys are so valuable because the majority of them were repainted or had their heads broken off at some point, so the ones that remain and are in good condition and are the best ones to go for high prices. Some ducks could even be worth up to £515,000.

 

5. Beanie Babies

 

5. Beanie Babies

Beanie Babies are a type of plush toy by Ty Inc. The teddies became one of the first ever internet sensations and their value has significantly increased in recent times with many people collecting them. Collectors are willing to pay large sums of money for special edition Beanie Babies, or for those with unique defects and rare features. The most valuable of the bunch is Princess the Bear which is worth more than £500,000. If you happen to have one lying around then you’ve basically won the lottery.

 

6. Vintage Tools

 

6. Vintage Tools

Old tools can be worth a huge amount. Some old or antique tools were made with or contain precious metal, or may have parts of rare or exotic woods. Some tools may also have accumulated value because someone of significance owned or used them. Depending on the condition of the tool and the type of tool, it could have intrinsic value and be worth an average of £2,378.

 

7. Antique Lamps

 

7. Antique Lamps

Lamps are the most valuable when they’re left in original condition with most or all of the original parts. Antique Tiffany lamps are the most sought-after lamps today and have become valuable collectable works. Some rare Tiffany lamps can be worth upwards of £1 million when in good condition.

 

8. Polly Pocket

 

8. Polly Pocket

Polly Pocket collectibles are being sold for upwards of £800 for rare or larger sets in good condition with all the pieces. The older the Polly Pocket, and better the condition, the more it is worth. The most valuable vintage Polly Pockets were released between 1989 and 1998, and the 1992 Polly Pocket Partytime Stampers is worth approximately £5000.

 

9. Video Game Consoles

 

9. Video Game Consoles

While a lot of old consoles can be purchased for very reasonable prices, certain consoles have become valuable collector's items. There are consoles worth a hefty amount such as the Rose Gold Xbox One and PS4 worth £13,669 or the Gold Legend Of Zelda Game Boy Advance SP can be worth up to £20,000.

 

10. Beatles Sgt. Pepper's 'Lonely Hearts Club' Vinyl Record

 

10. Beatles Sgt. Pepper's 'Lonely Hearts Club' Vinyl Record

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band is often considered one of the most important rock & roll albums ever made so it’s no surprise that it’s one of the most valuable. The now collectable item is worth approximately £70,000, or $112,000. The album originally sold 32 million copies and was the best selling album of the 1960’s.

 

11. Old Coins

 

11. Old Coins

Old quarters from between 1932 and 1964 were 90% silver and 10% copper and are very valuable when in good condition. To find the value of an old coin, you can examine the front and back for a date and country of origin and rate the coin's condition between pristine and poor. One of the most valuable coins is the 1973 European Economic Community 50p which is worth more than £3000 if undamaged.

The most common valuable household items include:

Items Worth up to
Persian Rugs £792,600
Comic Books £792,600
Pokemon Cards £9,510
Duck Decoys £515,190.00
Beanie Babies £396,300
Tools £2,378.00
Lamps £35,667.00
Polly Pocket £198.00
Video Game Consoles £285,230.00
Beatles Sgt. Pepper's 'Lonely Hearts Club' Vinyl Record £230,250.00
Guitars £26,156.00
Postcards £269.00
Baseball Cards £82,324.00
Christmas Ornaments £396.00
VHS Tapes £39,630
Lunch Boxes £2,457.00
Old coins £100
First Edition Books £11,889

Our top tips for evaluating and selling your items

  1. If you suspect that you have a valuable item lying in your home, a quick method to find out if it’s worth anything is by checking auction sites to see if similar items are on sale there, such as eBay.
  2. It is always worth seeking out further advice from an expert prior to listing it on an auction site, so that you’re sure you’re not underselling.
  3. After researching on auction sites, it’s recommended to get an evaluation from an expert. There are plenty of appraisers or appraisal tools online that specialise in giving you advice on how to preserve and get the best price for your item.
  4. Be aware that if you sell antiques worth more than £6,000, there is special tax to pay.

Find out more about downsizing your house and moving to a retirement village.