All About Barbie Doll Collecting (2024)

FAQs

Are Barbie dolls worth collecting? ›

What collector Barbies are worth money? There are several collector Barbies worth a lot of money, including the first-edition Barbie (1959), vintage Barbies (1960s-era Barbies), and limited edition Barbies.

The Condition of the Barbie

Naturally, collectors will be willing to pay a lot more money for a doll that is in mint condition compared to a doll of the same model that is damaged and beyond repair. The doll will be especially valuable if it is in its original box and comes with all its original accessories.

Google Lens can help you identify and price all collectibles such as baseball cards, Beanie Babies, and other toys. Once you identify the doll you can visit an official Barbie doll collectors website or database to get a more detailed idea of its value. Don't get your hopes up too high though.

Rare, early edition Barbies in good condition can fetch top dollar from passionate collectors. Attend Barbie conventions or research well-known vintage Barbie collectors to connect with buyers eager for these treasures.

The best-selling Barbie doll is Totally Hair Barbie, released in 1992. Totally Hair Barbie has sold more than 10 million dolls worldwide.

Are 1990s Barbie dolls worth a lot of money? Most of them probably are not. The rare or sought-after dolls are worth more. Surprisingly, I sold some new-in-box sets of Barbie clothing and accessories from the 1990s for more than I made on any dolls.

The values of some Barbie dolls are spiking with the release of the new Barbie movie. But some dolls are becoming much more valuable than others. The long-anticipated Barbie movie is finally hitting theaters, and the stars aren't the only ones who can earn some cash from Barbie's big comeback.

Pink Label: Though there is no limit to the number of Pink Label Barbies produced, these dolls are often extremely popular and are considered to be keepsake collector's items. Silver Label: These dolls are sold at select retailers and are limited to 50,000 sold worldwide.

What should I do with my old Barbies? ›

“But if your Barbie is genuinely beyond repair, then you can take her, Ken, Sandy, as well as all her horses, buses, apartments and accessories along to your local BIG W store and give her a second life through the Toys for Joy recycling program,” she says. “Who knows… she may come back to you as a flower pot.”

There are several Barbie and Ken Dolls that can sell for thousands of dollars, especially those with unique features or collaborations with notable designers. Some of the most valuable Barbie dolls include the Lorraine Schwartz Barbie, De Beers 40th Anniversary Barbie, and the Stefano Canturi Barbie.

A great way to determine the value of your doll and even to get clues about its origins is to find dolls that are comparable and examine those. You may be able to find similar dolls selling online and use the description and the price that the doll is selling for to assess the value and origins of your doll.

But did you know you can pawn less conventional items like comic books, vintage Barbie dolls or even boats? Yes, those random pawn shop goods you may see when shopping truly do have value. The next time you're looking to make a bit of extra cash or need a quick loan, consider pawning one of these less obvious items.

Barbie #1 (1959): The original Barbie, characterized by her signature white and black striped swimsuit, has a maximum resale value of $27,450. It was released in 1959 and originally priced at $3.

The 1992 Totally Hair Barbie (shown), the best-selling Barbie doll to date, celebrated the “big hair” craze and loud fashions of the early 90s.