It might be time to check your attics. Thanks to the critically-acclaimed “Barbie” movie that thrilled audiences worldwide, the plastic doll has been making a remarkable comeback. According to a new survey by BonusFinder.com, interest in the toy franchise soared an incredible 97 percent and some Barbies could fetch tens of thousands of dollars.
Since her debut in 1959, Barbie has become a global phenomenon, captivating the hearts of children and collectors alike. Created by Ruth Handler for her daughter Barbara, the first Barbie doll was introduced at a time when few toys for girls existed. Little did anyone know that this iconic doll would go on to inspire generations and become a sought-after collector’s item.
A Diverse Range of Barbie Dolls
Over the years, Barbie has evolved to reflect the changing times and celebrate diversity. From the original model, Barbie has grown to include over 170 different types, featuring a wide range of skin tones, hairstyles, and outfits. She has also taken on numerous inspirational careers, including roles as a doctor, firefighter, scientist, and even an astronaut, encouraging young girls to dream big and believe in themselves.
Mattel also released the world’s first Barbie with Down’s syndrome, making the franchise more inclusive.
The Most Valuable Barbie Dolls of All-Time
As Barbie’s popularity has soared, so too has the value of certain models. Leading the pack is the original Barbie #1 from 1959, which was initially priced at just $3 but now commands a staggering resale value of up to $27,450. This vintage doll is easily recognizable by her iconic black and white striped swimsuit, heavy dark makeup, bright red lipstick, and gold hoop earrings.
Other highly valuable Barbie dolls include:
- The 2006 Dahlia Barbie, designed by Robert Best, which can fetch up to $2,423
- The 2009 Golden Gala Barbie, another Best creation, valued at $1,451
- The 1997 Happy Holidays Barbie Brunette, a 10th Anniversary special edition worth around $1,201
These dolls are characterized by their intricate designs, luxurious accessories, and limited availability, making them highly sought-after by collectors.
“As popularity and availability increases, resale value goes down. As a rule of thumb, the older the Barbie, the more she’ll be worth – especially in mint or good condition,” says Fintan Costello, managing director at BonusFinder.com, in a media release. “If you’ve still got any Barbies from the ‘60s, ‘70s or ‘80s it could be worth checking their condition and value. When looking to sell your Barbie dolls, or any collectible for that matter, always check other listings to make sure your Barbie comes with all of the extra items she should – if not, value may decrease significantly.”
The Most Valuable Decades for Barbie Dolls
When examining the decades that produced the most valuable Barbie dolls, the 1950s unsurprisingly take the top spot, thanks to the debut of Barbie #1. The 1960s follow closely behind, with 29 new models released and an average maximum resale value of $428.97. The 1970s and 1980s also prove to be valuable decades for Barbie dolls, with the latter seeing the creation of 34 new models with an average maximum resale value of $211.50.
The 2020s have already made their mark, claiming the fifth spot for the most expensive Barbie dolls. Despite being only a few years into the decade, the Chromatic Couture Barbie and the Holiday Barbie, both released in 2020, hold an average maximum resale value of $155.
Preserving the Value of Your Vintage Barbie Doll
For those fortunate enough to own a vintage Barbie doll, preserving its condition is crucial to maintaining its collectible value. To protect your Barbie from environmental damage and aging, experts recommend keeping the doll away from direct sunlight and heat, as exposure can cause the plastic and clothing to fade, discolor, or become misshapen.
Regular cleaning with a dry cloth, bristled toothbrush, or makeup brush can help prevent the buildup of dirt and dust in hard-to-reach areas. However, the most important tip for preserving your Barbie’s value is to keep it in its original box. Storing the boxed doll inside a sealed container, glass display case, or plastic shell cover can further protect it from environmental factors that may cause the packaging to deteriorate over time.
What to Do with Your Vintage Barbie Doll
If you own a vintage Barbie doll, you have several options. You can choose to hold onto it for sentimental reasons or in hopes that its value will continue to increase over time. Alternatively, you can cash in by selling your Barbie on websites like eBay, Amazon, or specialized vintage toy marketplaces.
For those who no longer wish to keep their old Barbie dolls but don’t want to sell them, Mattel has introduced a new recycling program called “Playback.” This initiative allows consumers to send their unwanted toys back to Mattel’s California headquarters free of charge, where the company will sort the items by material type and recycle them into new toys whenever possible.
Methodology
1. BonusFinder.com wanted to find out which Barbie dolls could sell for the most today, and which decade produced the most valuable Barbie dolls.
2. To do so, they utilized maximum sales figures from Barbiedb.com to find the minimum, maximum and average sales prices of every Barbie doll contained within the database from 1959 to 2020.
3. Data was then sorted from highest maximum price to lowest in order to rank the Barbies selling for the most.
4. Data was further aggregated by decade, and an average value was calculated per decade alongside the most expensive Barbie doll of each decade (found on the main data sheet).
5. Data was collected on 04/11/23 and is correct as of then.
HobbyListings editor Matt Higgins contributed to this report.