The 1970s were filled with unforgettable trends, from bold fashion statements to innovative toys and pop culture collectibles. While some of these items seemed ordinary back then, they’ve skyrocketed in value over the years. Whether it’s due to rarity, nostalgia, or historical significance, certain ‘70s treasures now fetch incredible prices at auctions and among collectors. If you ever wondered why some of your childhood favorites are worth a small fortune today, let’s take a look at the factors that make these 14 1970s items highly valuable today.
1. Star Wars Action Figures (1977–1980s)
When Star Wars premiered in 1977, Kenner released a line of action figures that quickly became a sensation. But some figures—like the early rocket-firing Boba Fett prototype—are now worth tens of thousands of dollars. The reason? Many of these rare figures had small production runs, limited releases, or unique manufacturing errors. Gizmodo notes that the franchise has a galaxy’s worth of worthwhile toys and collectibles.
Collectors especially seek out mint-condition figures still in their original packaging since most kids ripped them open to play with. A Luke Skywalker with a double-telescoping lightsaber can fetch over $25,000, while a vinyl-caped Jawa is worth thousands. If you kept your Star Wars figures in pristine condition, you might be holding onto a goldmine.
2. Atari 2600 Cartridges (1977–1980s)
The Atari 2600 revolutionized gaming, but some of its cartridges are worth far more today than they originally sold for. The rarity of certain games, such as Air Raid, Karate, or the infamous E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, makes them extremely valuable. Some cartridges, like the ultra-rare 1982 Air Raid, have sold for over $30,000 due to their limited production and unique blue casing. The history of Atari itself is as wild as all of its games combined, notes ComputerHistory.
Collectors prize factory-sealed cartridges and special edition releases that were only available in select stores. Even a basic Pac-Man or Space Invaders cartridge in good condition can fetch hundreds today. The early days of gaming may have been simple, but the nostalgia-fueled market for these cartridges is anything but.
3. 1970s Concert T-Shirts
If you went to a Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, or KISS concert in the ‘70s and bought a T-shirt, you might be sitting on a collector’s dream. Vintage band tees from major tours have skyrocketed in value, with some selling for over $1,000. The reason? Rarity and condition—most were worn to death, so finding one in mint condition is incredibly difficult. Loudwire notes that some research had to go into finding out which band shirts were the most valuable.
Shirts featuring original tour dates or unique artwork (like the Rolling Stones’ 1972 tour with the iconic tongue logo) are the most sought-after. If yours is faded but intact, it still has significant value. A true piece of rock history, these tees prove that fashion and music nostalgia go hand in hand.
4. McDonald’s Happy Meal Toys (Late 1970s)
McDonald’s started including toys in Happy Meals in the late ‘70s, and today, some of those early toys are worth a small fortune. The 1979 Star Trek Happy Meal toys, which were recalled due to safety concerns, can sell for hundreds of dollars if still sealed. Similarly, early McDonaldland character toys featuring Ronald McDonald, Grimace, and the Hamburglar are highly collectible.
The key factors in their value? Rarity, condition, and nostalgic appeal. Toys that were produced in limited numbers or were quickly discontinued are the most valuable. If you have a set in mint condition with packaging, you might be sitting on a retro fast-food goldmine.
5. Vinyl Records (1970s Pressings)
Vinyl records from the ‘70s are highly collectible, but not all are worth a fortune. The ones that fetch thousands of dollars tend to be original pressings, limited releases, or albums that feature rare artwork or misprints. An original pressing of Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon in pristine condition can sell for over $1,000, while some Led Zeppelin albums with printing errors go for even more.
Condition is everything—records that are unopened, unplayed, or have unique misprints are the most valuable. Special promo editions and first pressings are particularly sought after. If you have vinyl records stored away, you might want to check if you own a hidden gem.
6. Mego Superhero Dolls (1970s)
Before action figures became the standard, Mego dolls ruled the toy aisles. The company produced Batman, Spider-Man, Hulk, and even obscure Marvel and DC characters in the early ‘70s. Today, mint-condition Mego dolls with their original packaging can sell for hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
The rarity factor plays a huge role, especially for limited-edition or international releases. Even loose figures are valuable if they have all their accessories. If you still have your old Mego superheroes, you might want to see how much collectors are willing to pay.
7. Vintage Lunch Boxes with Thermoses
Lunch boxes from the 1970s weren’t just a way to carry your sandwich—they were pop culture time capsules. Metal lunch boxes featuring Star Wars, The Six Million Dollar Man, Charlie’s Angels, and The Muppets are worth a pretty penny today. A Superman lunch box with a matching Thermos can sell for $500 or more, while a Star Wars box in excellent condition has sold for over $1,000.
The biggest factor in their value? Condition and completeness—lunch boxes with minimal rust, bright artwork, and an intact Thermos are the most valuable. If you still have yours tucked away, it might be worth far more than you think.
8. Cabbage Patch Kid Prototypes (Late 1970s)
While Cabbage Patch Kids exploded in the ‘80s, their earliest versions—handmade by Xavier Roberts in the late ‘70s—are ultra-rare and worth thousands. These pre-mass-production dolls were called “Little People” and were individually signed by Roberts.
Because they were handmade and not widely available, their rarity and unique features make them incredibly valuable today. Some of these early dolls have sold for over $3,000. If you own one of the original, pre-mass-market versions, you’re holding onto a serious collectible.
9. Wacky Packages Stickers (1970s Editions)
These satirical sticker cards made fun of popular products—turning “Crest” toothpaste into “Crust” and “Jell-O” into “Jail-O.” Kids loved collecting them, but today, certain early sets are worth big bucks. Some rare 1973-74 first series stickers have sold for over $5,000 in pristine condition.
Since these were meant to be peeled and stuck, finding them unused and in excellent shape is rare. Complete sets and uncut sticker sheets are even more valuable. If you still have a binder full of Wacky Packages, you might be sitting on a collector’s jackpot.
10. Evel Knievel Stunt Cycle (1973)
Kids in the ‘70s were obsessed with Evel Knievel, the daredevil who made motorcycle jumps a national spectacle. The Evel Knievel Stunt Cycle, released by Ideal Toys in 1973, let kids launch a Knievel action figure off ramps at high speeds using a crank-powered launcher. It was one of the most popular toys of the decade, but today, finding one in working condition is incredibly rare.
Collectors will pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars for a mint-condition set, especially if it’s in its original box. Some sealed versions have sold for over $5,000, proving that Knievel’s legacy lives on in the toy market. If you ever pulled that crank and sent Evel flying across your driveway, you know just how special this toy was.
11. Fisher-Price Little People Playsets (1970s Editions)
Before safety regulations changed toy design, Fisher-Price’s Little People were made of solid wood or hard plastic and came in detailed playsets like the Family Farm, the Schoolhouse, and the Parking Garage. These charmingly simple figures became staples in many households, but by the late ‘80s, Fisher-Price redesigned them to be larger and safer for small children. The original versions are now highly collectible.
Playsets with all their original pieces (like tiny cows for the barn or the school bus for the Schoolhouse) can sell for hundreds of dollars. Certain rarer sets, like the Sesame Street playset, can be worth over $1,000 if in mint condition. If you still have one of these tucked away in storage, you might be surprised by how much collectors are willing to pay.
12. Dungeons & Dragons First Edition (1974)
The original 1974 printing of Dungeons & Dragons wasn’t just a game—it was the beginning of an entire genre. This early version, known as the “White Box” edition, was self-published by Gary Gygax and only had a small initial print run of about 1,000 copies. The game exploded in popularity in the late ‘70s and ‘80s, but those first editions are now incredibly rare.
A complete first-edition Dungeons & Dragons set in good condition can sell for $10,000 or more. Even later printings from the ‘70s, such as the “Holmes Basic Set”, have value, especially if they’re complete with original booklets. If you or a family member were an early D&D fan, it’s worth checking those old boxes in the attic—you might be holding onto a legendary gaming artifact.
13. Bean Bag Chairs (1970s Originals)
Nothing screams ‘70s home decor quite like bean bag chairs—but if you still have an original version from the era, it could be surprisingly valuable. Vintage bean bag chairs made from durable vinyl or funky patterned fabrics are making a comeback, with retro-style interior designers and collectors seeking them out. The ones with original tags from brands like Sacco or Bean Bag America are especially in demand.
A well-preserved vintage bean bag chair can sell for $300-$500, while rare designs in psychedelic prints can fetch even more. Since most were heavily used, finding one without leaks or damage is difficult, which increases their value. If you still have a ‘70s bean bag chair in good shape, it might just be a trendy piece of nostalgia worth cashing in on.
14. Six Million Dollar Man Action Figure (1975)
In 1975, Kenner released the Six Million Dollar Man action figure, based on the hit TV show starring Lee Majors. This 13-inch action figure came with a bionic eye you could look through, a bionic arm that could lift objects, and later versions even included a mission control center. Kids loved reenacting Steve Austin’s superhuman feats, but few of these toys survived in good condition.
A mint-condition Six Million Dollar Man figure in the original box can sell for over $1,000. The later “Bionic Bigfoot” figure, released as part of the toy line, is even rarer and can fetch $3,000 or more. If you grew up watching Steve Austin in action and still have one of these figures, you could be holding onto a valuable piece of 1970s TV history.
Many of these 1970s treasures have become valuable because they combine nostalgia, rarity, and pop culture significance. Whether it’s toys, records, or concert memorabilia, the market for vintage collectibles is hotter than ever. If you still have any of these items tucked away, you might want to check their value—you could be holding onto a piece of history worth far more than you ever imagined.
