Don't throw away your old toys before having them appraised!

Toys and models have a special place in the hearts of collectors and lovers of old objects. Some can be worth a small fortune, while others are unfortunately no longer popular. Before getting rid of your childhood toys, it is essential to check if they have a market value. Here is how to identify valuable pieces and which ones are currently sought after on the market.

How to assess the value of a toy or a model ?

The evaluation of a toy is based on several essential criteria:

1. Age and rarity

The older a toy is, the more likely it is to be sought after, provided that it is rare. Toys from the 1900s-1980s are often the most sought after.

2. Condition

The condition is essential in the evaluation:

• New in box: Maximum value, especially if the packaging is intact.

• Good condition: Fair value, especially if all the pieces are present.

• Used or incomplete toy: Greatly reduced value.

3. Brand and edition

• Some brands are more sought after than others:

• Dinky Toys, Märklin, Meccano, Lego (before 1980), Playmobil (first editions) for models and miniatures.

• Barbie (old editions, Barbie 1959 to 1970, some limited editions).

• Star Wars (Kenner figurines 1977-1985, ships, collector's editions).

• Majorette and Hot Wheels (rare models and limited editions).

4. The world of toys

Licensed toys (films, cult cartoons) can see their value climb: Star Wars, Goldorak, G.I. Joe, Transformers, Saint Seiya.

What are the old toys and models sought after today?

1. Vintage toys in perfect condition

• Vintage Star Wars figurines (Kenner, 1977-1985): A Boba Fett in blister pack can reach €15,000.

• Vintage Barbie dolls (1959-1970): A Barbie No. 1 from 1959 sells for between €8,000 and €25,000.

• Märklin electric trains (before 1980): Some models exceed €5,000.

• Dinky Toys and Solido cars: Some miniatures can reach €500 to €1,500.

2. Retro video games

• Nintendo consoles and games (NES, Super Nintendo, Game Boy, in box): Some rare games exceed €2,000.

• Sega Megadrive and Dreamcast: Value increasing, especially for limited edition games.

3. Rare and old models

• Metal models by Märklin and Jouef (vintage locomotives): Between €500 and €5,000 depending on the model and rarity.

• Tamiya model kits (old cars and planes): Up to €1,000 for special editions.

Which toys and models no longer have any value?

1. Toys that are too recent

Toys made after 2000, mass-produced, generally have little value (except for limited editions).

2. Toys in poor condition or incomplete

A toy without a box or accessories loses 50 to 90% of its value.

3. Modern standardized models

Recent plastic models, widely produced, are of no interest to collectors.

4. Toys without a specific brand

Generic toys, without an iconic brand (e.g. unsigned dolls, random toy cars), are unlikely to have any real value.

Before throwing away, check with Antiope!

Many people get rid of treasures without knowing it. Before throwing away a toy or model, use www.antiope.app to get a detailed estimate and find out if it is a valuable object.

A photo, a click and in a few seconds Antiope reveals the hidden value of your objects with a description and a detailed evaluation