Most Profitable Things To Collect From Around The World

1. Classic cars

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Classic cars are definitely among one of the most profitable things to buy. Unlike other cars, rather than depreciating in value, the older a vintage car gets, the more it is worth! Because they have limited numbers of production they are a rarity meaning people are willing to pay a lot of money for them. For example, the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale is worth over 3 million dollars!

2. Watches

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Collecting watches can also be HUGELY profitable because their price does not decrease if they are a high quality watch from a renowned brand, their value can rise exponentially. For example, some of the rarest watches have massive value. For example, the Patek Philippe 1518 in Stainless Steel from 1943 is estimated to be worth around $11.13 million!

3. Vintage toys

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If you've got any vintage or old toys knocking around you may want to check their worth before throwing them in the garbage. Well-preserved vintage toys can fetch huge amounts of money at auction, and even more so if they have the original packing. A Hot Wheels Pink-Rear-Loader Beach Bomb is one of the rarest produced and it sold at an auction for $150,000!

4. Art

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Art is definitely one of THE single most profitable things that you could possibly collect. Highly acclaimed artwork can fetch unfathomable amounts from fellow avid art collectors who want to acquire certain pieces. For example, Leonardo da Vinci's 'Salvator Mundi' sold at an auction in 2017 for over $450 million! It currently stands as the most expensive piece of artwork ever sold at auction.

5. Comic books

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Comic book collections are more than just a hobby, it is an extremely lucrative business move. Those who are passionate about comics know which to collect, and which comics are rare and sought after, making them valuable. In 2014 a copy of Superman's First Appearance action comic sold for a whopping $3.2 million, which made it one of the most expensive comics ever!

6. Rare coins

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Collecting rare coins is also a very potentially lucrative thing to do. Value depends on multiple factors such as how old the coin is, how rare it is, and what historical value it holds. However, some coins can fetch millions. In 2002, the 1993 Double Eagle gold coin sold for $7.5 million at an auction. Collectors have to know what coins are valuable in order to know which coins to keep and sell!

7. Stamps

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Stamp collecting has been going on ever since stamps were first issued. Certain, rare or historically valuable stamps are sought after by keen stamp collectors all over the world who know their worth. While to the non-expert eye, they may look like any stamp, there have been instances where stamps have been sold for nearly 10 million dollars. In 2014 for example, a stamp sold for $9.5 million!

8. Wine

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Wine is a very lucrative industry. Fine wines can make a lot of money and wine collectors seek out the rarest or highest quality wines from around the world. It depends on factors such as how the wine was collected and stored, where it came from, the year it was produced (it affects the harvest), and many other factors. For example, Domaine de la Romanee-Conti can fetch $1 million per bottle!

9. Rare books

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Books are favorite collectibles, first editions of popular novels, and highly esteemed writes make extremely valuable items. First editions are extremely rare finds and they are very sought after, acquiring one is like gold dust. And quite literally, because in 2001 Shakespeare's First Folio fetched over $6 million at the market! Handwritten copies of books also make invaluable items.

10. Sportscards

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Sports cards were very much in fashion, and after a dip in popularity over the last few years, they had a resurgence. The value of cards again, is completely dependent upon the player, the rarity, and other factors. Autographed cards and rookie cards are some of the most valuable kinds. The Honus Wagner is one of the most famous baseball cards ever and it sold for $6 million in 2021!

11. Antique clocks

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Antique clock collecting is a very specialized niche, requiring a lot of expertise in antiques and history to be able to know what is of value. Clocks are items of great intricacy and craftsmanship and it is understandable that some are highly valuable, depending on things such as the age and the maker. Certain clocks are massively valuable and can fetch millions on the market.

12. Classic video games

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Classic video games have a soft spot in the hearts of many who look back on the times they played them with nostalgia and fondness. Perhaps for this reason they have become an extremely lucrative item to sell. Retro consoles are massively in demand, as well as rare games that collectors want as a part of their prized selection. They can fetch a hefty price tag when they're sold!

13. Jewellery

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Jewellery has been collected by people since the beginning of time. Jewellery is something that holds its value and can increase over time. There are certain pieces from famous designers, or pieces of jewellery which have been associated with historical periods of famous figures which are very valuable and rare. For example, the Cartier Frutti Tutti is a highly sought-after piece.

14. Whisky

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Whiskey is a very popular drink around the world which collectors invest in because certain bottles hold substantial value! Rare and vintage ranges of whiskey can fetch hundreds of thousands of dollars. For example, the 70-year-old Speyside from 1938 sold for $101,519. And, this isn't a rare occurrence. Whiskey bottles which have rarity, age, and quality are worth a lot to collectors.

15. Action figures

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Action figures are collectible toys and they are collected all around the world by people of a variety of ages. Not only do action figures provide memories but they are also worth a lot of money in some cases. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Barbies, G.I Joe, and Star Wars figures are some of the most highly valued action figures collected. But, there are thousands more, perhaps some of us have some unknown valuable action figures in our cupboards.

16. Sneakers

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Sneakers have become more than just a popular piece of footwear. They have, in recent years, become something of a status piece. Sneaker collecting is also referred to in popular culture as sneaker-head culture. And sneakers from limited collections and established brands can fetch thousands of dollars. Nike Air Jordan 1, Adidas Yeezy, and Nike Dunk SBs are among some of the favorites.

17. Musical instruments

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Musical instruments are not only functional pieces of equipment, they are also very beautiful in the way they are intricately designed. Certain musical instruments in vintage collections are extremely profitable collectors' items. Some of the most valuable musical instruments are the Stradivarius Violins which were crafted by Antonio Stradivari in the 17th and 18th centuries.

18. Antique rugs and carpets

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Antique rugs are amongst some of the more unusual collector's items, but that's not to say they are any less profitable. However their size and the expertise needed to understand their value make this collector's item more niche. Age, origin, craftsmanship, materials, and condition are amongst many of the variables that play a part in how valuable the rug is.

19. Vintage electronics

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Vintage electronics have not gone out of style, rather they have become a collector's item instead, meaning that they now hold great value. Of course, this is for certain items, not any old electronics that we may find lying around the house. For example, vintage cameras, typewriters, or radios are among the items that collectors seek. Particularly from well-known and established brands!

20. Movie memorabilia

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Movie memorabilia is becoming more popular than ever. Certain movies in time hold very precious memories. Movie memorabilia comes in all different kinds of varieties, from small souvenirs to the real-life props used at movies. The helmet of Darth Vadar for example, is some of $1,200,000. And the lion costume from The Wizard of Oz sold for 3,070,000 dollars.

21. Vinyl records

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Vinyl records are something that has become more and more valuable as vinyl has slowly started to die out. There are not as many vinyl records being produced because record players are not common. Yet this has made them even more valuable collections as they become super rare, especially certain editions. A vinyl record by the Wu-Tang Clan in 2015 sold for $2 million!

22. Vintage handbags

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Vintage handbag collecting is actually becoming an extremely profitable business. Collecting vintage handbags from established designer brands makes you millions. Designer, age, condition, and rarity all play a part in how valuable the bag is. The Hermes Birkin Bag is one of the most iconic and desired bags ever, worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.

23. Ancient artefacts

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Ancient artefacts of course hold a lot of value because they have a lot of historical significance. Items that come from ancient times are pieces of history, meaning that they are worth a lot. Ancient artefacts are also one of a kind, there are no two the same because they are rare glimpses of the past. For example, the Tutankhamun Gold Mask is one of the most expensive objects in the entire world.

24. Autographs

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Autographs from famous people are always an object that people are willing to pay for because celebrities have fans who want to collect memorabilia. Very high-status celebrities who rarely give out autographs can be worth a lot of money. And, after a famous person dies the value increases a lot because the autograph becomes a very rare object, and one that can no longer be replicated!

25. Vintage postcards

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Vintage postcards hold s lot of value because they are pieces of history written down, they may be from important historical figures or important moments in time. Whilst they may be just a postcard, the value is so much more. The Pablo Picasso El Ciego postcard from Barcelona in 1903 sold for $95,000 at auction. And, there are many rare vintage postcards that sell at similar prices.

26. Historical records

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Historical records are of huge importance as they tell us about historical events which allow us to garner information and learn about history! This makes them invaluable items and of course, they are some of the most profitable things to collect because they are of vital importance to understanding and painting a picture of history. Often historical documents are stored in museums.

27. Antique tea set

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Antique tea sets are another very profitable item to collect. Not only are they profitable, but part of the appeal of collecting antique tea sets is the charm and elegance of their appearance. Established tea set makers as well as fine materials affect the value of the tea set. There are examples of tea sets selling for hundreds of thousands of dollars, for example, the Half Figure Service Meissen cost around $600,00.

28. Gold!

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Gold, of course, is one of the most profitable things to collect. Gold will always be worth a lot of money. The value of gold fluctuates and sometimes gold prices go up a lot, meaning that it can be sold for huge amounts of money, a lot more than you may have first bought it for. Gold prices throughout history have steadily inclined and it is considered one of the most stable currencies.

29. Minerals and fossils

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Minerals and fossils are national treasures, they are physical evidence of the past and of historical existence. Fossils are super important and have been used by experts to understand a lot of information about the past and ancient ecosystems. Some fossils are extremely rare or hold a lot of significance or they may be very old and intact. In these cases, they will be worth a huge amount.

30. Old maps

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Old maps are extremely beautiful, they are very different from the kind of maps that are produced today. But, not only are they aesthetically interesting they are also historical artefacts! Old maps ranging from the 16th to 19 century are particularly valuable. This is because there wasn't as much known about these regions which can be seen on the map. This makes them a lot more valuable!