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Reviewed by William Cooper
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When was the last time you had a clear out?
Even those of us who tend to enjoy the minimalist lifestyle usually have a few boxes tucked away in lofts, garages or spare rooms that are full of items we’ve not looked at in years but aren’t quite ready to part with. But what if, squirreled away in those boxes, there’s something worth far more than you realise?
From vinyl records to vintage toys, gaming consoles to old watches and coins, here are eight everyday items that could be worth more than you think.
1. Vinyl records
Vinyl records have made a huge comeback in recent years and remain a firm favourite among collectors. If you have any rare pressings, limited editions, signed records or withdrawn albums in your collection, you may be in for a pleasant surprise.
Artists such as The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, David Bowie and Pink Floyd regularly feature among valuable vinyl sales.
Top tip: Check catalogue numbers and make sure your records are in good condition. Tiny differences between releases can have a big impact on value.
2. LEGO sets
Retired LEGO sets, particularly limited editions, can increase significantly in value over time. Some discontinued Star Wars sets have become highly desirable among collectors. For example, the original Ultimate Collector’s Series Millennium Falcon (10179) sold for $16,000 in 2015.
Top tip: Sets that haven’t been opened and are still sealed in their original boxes with instructions tend to command higher prices.
3. Action figures
Other items that have sold for impressive amounts in recent years are vintage action figures like Star Wars, Action Man, Transformers and Barbie dolls. Collectors tend to favour rare variants and limited releases that are still in their original packaging.
The 1979 mail-order exclusive Boba Fett prototype sold in 2024 for $1.34 million (£1m) alone and became the most expensive toy ever.
Top tip: Although easier said than done, if you have the figure in its original packaging, it can help increase the value.
4. Books
First edition books and signed copies which still have their original dust jackets can be worth a pretty penny.
One of the most famous examples is the first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in hardback. There were only 500 copies printed in this format and 300 of those were sent to libraries, so finding one is very lucky indeed – one copy sold for a whopping £36,000 in 2024.
Top tip: The condition of the book and how many copies were printed usually matters more than the age of the book alone.
5. Pokémon cards
Pokémon cards have made a resurgence in recent years. Since they launched in 1996, they’ve been in continuous production and have printed over 85 billion cards worldwide to meet demand.
The most expensive Pokémon sold to date was a Pikachu Illustrator card which sold for $16,492,000 (just over £12 million) in February 2026.
Top tip: Pokémon cards can be professionally graded from one to 10 and sealed in a protective plastic case to help retain their value.
6. Coins
The most expensive coin ever sold was the 1933 Saint-Guadens Double Eagle which sold at auction for $18.9 million in 2021.
And while it’s highly unlikely that you’ll find one of those lurking in an old piggy bank, you might find a 50p that’s worth a great deal more than face value.
Kensington Mint revealed that the 2023 Atlantic Salmon 50p featuring King Charles III is the rarest 50p in general circulation, followed by the 2009 Kew Gardens 50p and the 2011 Olympic Football 50p which explains the offside rule. While it may not be the rarest, the 2009 Kew Gardens 50p in circulated condition is worth roughly £120.
Top tip: Before you spend any loose change, check the date, design and mintage as they may be low-circulating releases.
7. Watches
Luxury watches are another thing that tend to become more valuable as time passes. Some of the most highly sought after brands include Patek Philippe, Rolex, Audemars Piguet, Omega and Cartier.
Limited edition pieces, discontinued models or those with an interesting history often do particularly well on the secondhand market. For example, Paul Newman’s Rolex Daytona watch sold for a staggering $17.75 million at an auction in 2017.
Top tip: Keep the original boxes and any certificates and service records to help verify the watch’s authenticity.
8. Vintage electronics
What was once thought of as outdated technology and left to gather dust has made a mighty comeback. Thanks to nostalgia giving these devices a new lease of life and collector demand, some vintage electronics have become surprisingly valuable.
Original Nintendo consoles, Game Boys, Sega products and early Apple computers are all examples of electronics that collectors actively seek. Potteries Auctions values a mint Nintendo console at upwards of £500.
Top tip: Older technology often becomes valuable because of its rarity and the memories of childhood that it evokes.
What should you do if you think you’ve found something valuable?
- Resist the temptation to clean, repair or restore the item(s) until you’ve had a professional valuation done to make sure its properly cared for.
- Keep a file with valuation documents, receipts, photographs and consider sending digital version of these files to yourself too as a backup.
- Review your home insurance cover to check any valuable items that might be over the single item limit are protected.
Speak to Stanhope
Have you stumbled across something special that you think may be worth more than you realised? Whether you’ve uncovered a rare collectible, Stanhope can help you review your insurance arrangements and ensure your possessions are appropriately protected.
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Written by Matthew Ashton
I started working in the insurance industry in 2004. Four years later, I left to focus on theological studies, working as a youth worker and then as a ministry director in Seattle, USA. When returning to the UK, I had an opportunity to work for the late Andrew Marchington. I joined his firm as a sales advisor when it had around ten staff members. Within three years, I was Head of Ops with a staff team of over 30 people. After a chance encounter in 2019 with Rachel Living and Will Cooper, I co-started Stanhope to build a high-value home, luxury watch, and jewellery broker synonymous with trust. I love being with Donna, my wife, and four kids when not working, cramming in the odd row, or run when I can. I am fortunate to love what I do and consider it a blessing to grow the Stanhope brand.