Johann Hunt
Collecting has always been a beloved hobby for most. People big on it are excited to find rare items and hope they increase in value enough to earn them a payday or even a fortune. On the other hand, some collectibles have fallen in popularity due to shifting trends, and this is a compilation of 15.
Pogs
You may know them as pigs or milk caps, but it doesn’t matter—we can both agree it was an addictive game. We were excited about the game because we would collect and trade them and brag about having hundreds of these items. The fad did its time, faded, and left us with items that have little resale value.
Cabbage Patch Kids
These unique, soft-bodied dolls with interesting faces were sold as collectibles in the 1980s, and frantic parents fought to get their hands on one. One thing that made the dolls special for children was that they came with birth certificates and adoption papers. Cabbage Patch Kids were loved while they lasted, but their hold on us has weakened.
Collector Plates
These were plates whose insides contained beautiful designs; hence, their primary purpose was for display, not serving food. During their peak, people assumed they could resell collector plates at reasonable prices, but now many have realized they are worth less than they believed.
Franklin Mint Items
Franklin Mint introduced coins, figurines, and other memorabilia, often tied to historical or pop culture themes, and many people loved them. Their “Coin Set of all Nations,” which included uncirculated coins, performed well in the market. However, many aren’t moved by such collectibles these days.
Baseball Cards (1980s-1990s)
For generations, baseball cards have been a staple of American childhood. Hard-to-find cards from the early 20th century still command high prices. However, in the 1980s and ’90s, card companies produced cards in massive quantities, and their overpopulation on the market negatively impacted their value.
Hummel Figurines
These German-made porcelain figurines had charming depictions of children. They were once a sought-after collector’s item, particularly among travelers who would buy them as souvenirs. The younger generations have shown little interest in these quaint figures, and as their appeal goes down the drain, so does the market for them.
Precious Moments Figurines
When you see their eyes, you’ll know Precious Moments figurines—they are shaped like tear-drops. They were once a beloved collectible, especially during the 1980s. When you received one on a special occasion, it felt like something you could pass on to your children. Nowadays, the hype over them isn’t as strong anymore.
Longaberger Baskets
Baskets from the Longaberger Company were handmade and served as functional home items and collectibles. The company’s victory lap was building a basket-like structure as a head office in Ohio. These days, one may buy them for functionality, but reselling them as a collectible may not go as expected.
Pokémon Cards (non-rare)
While rare Pokémon cards can still sell for thousands of dollars, the value of many others has taken a dip, likely irreversible dive. Because of the value of the ones that are hard to find, some people may dabble in collecting them, but mass production is hurting the value of some other cards.
Vintage Avon Bottles
Avon once sold perfumes in bottles shaped like cars, animals, and other unique designs, which later became collectibles. These bottles were popular gifts and were often kept as decorative pieces long after the perfume inside was used. Today, we see relics of the past instead of collectibles of worth.
VHS Tapes
In the era before DVDs and streaming, VHS tapes were the primary way to watch movies at home. Some limited edition releases were considered valuable even when they were heading towards being obsolete. Technological advancements have shifted the focus from VHS and made even some limited-edition VHS tapes less valuable.
Stamps
Stamp collecting seems to be an activity only linked to an era, and interest in it has declined in recent decades. Some stamps from earlier periods can still be valuable, but many hobbyists may not be inclined to spend much on them. Collecting such stamps is best left for investors ready to gamble on them.
Beanie Babies
The Beanie Babies’ collectability dates back to 1995. The company made stuffed toys more valuable by regularly producing limited editions and retiring designs. Many collectors thought these items could fund a business in the future, but today, they will hardly fetch a lot of money.
Pez Dispensers
From a way to hold candy, Pez dispensers became a sought-after collectible, mainly when featuring characters from popular culture. Enthusiasts would go to great lengths to find rare Pez dispensers, sometimes paying exorbitant prices. Some rare ones still hold value, but most are now more of a fun novelty than a serious investment.
Lunchboxes
In the mid-20th century, metal lunchboxes featuring leading TV shows, movies, and cartoons were famous. Kids would carry them to school, and they became symbols of their era over time. While some collectors are still into them, many of us today may only find them worth admiring, not owning.