Most Profitable 1990s Collectibles Today

Have an old movie ticket stub from the 1990s lying around? You might be able to sell them for an average of $18 each. That old cringe-worthy "Titanic" T-shirt stuffed in the back of your closet? You could get well over $100 for it. 

That's according to credit-building fintech company Self Financial, which researched 1990s merch, toys and collectibles sold on eBay. Some pieces of 1990s nostalgia have huge price increases from when they were first sold.

The results may surprise you.

Arturs Irbe Signed O-Pee-Chee Rookie Card

Year: 1990

Original Price: $0.45

Average sale price (mint condition): $40

Average sale price (used condition): $15

Price increase: $39.55

Price change: 8,788.89%

All data is from Self Financial.

Bottom Line: Arturs Irbe Signed O-Pee-Cee Rookie Card

Latvian-born Arturs Irbe played for the Soviet Hockey League for several years before transitioning to the NHL in 1991, where he played as a goalie with the San Jose Sharks.

His career high point came when he played on the Carolina Hurricanes and helped them get to the Stanley Cup Final (ultimately, though, the Detroit Red Wings prevailed). 

A signed copy of the Irbe card can be had for at least $40. Some go for $100 on eBay. 

Tickle Me Elmo

Year: 1996

Original Price: $28.99

Average sale price (mint condition): $50

Average sale price (used condition): $18

Price increase: $21.01

Price change: 72.47%

Bottom Line: Tickle Me Elmo

Tickle Me Elmo was the children's toy to have in 1996. These red-furred demons caused madness in toy stores and big box stores. One Walmart worker was hospitalized after being trampled by a frenzied crowd of parents willing to sacrifice anyone's wellbeing so their kid could have the merriest Christmas on the block.

"Somebody in the crowd yelled, 'There's the Elmo!' And they rushed us," recalled one Walmart employee. 

But Elmo hasn't appreciated in value all that well. He's only worth about $50 still in the box. 

Original Slacker Movie Poster

Year: 1991

Original Price: $4.21

Average sale price (mint condition): $75

Average sale price (used condition): $75

Price increase: $70.79

Price change: 1,681.47%

Bottom Line: Slacker Movie Poster

Richard Linklater's "Slacker" is a cult movie from 1990 that still has a solid following. Movie poster collectors are also willing to pay a decent amount to have one of these vintage posters for their collection, too.

Even though you can buy a reprint for less than $20 online, an original "Slacker" poster will cost you at least $75.

 

Mighty Max Takes on Terror Talons

Year: 1993

Original price: $20

Average sale price (mint condition): $80

Average sale price (used condition): $38.50

Price increase: $60

Price change: 300%

Bottom Line: Mighty Max Takes on Terror Talons

Mighty Max was a line of toys with the gimmick of being small. These toys mainly consisted of small plastic figurines and folding handheld playsets. 

The Mighty Max line was exceptionally popular for several years — there was both a cartoon and video game — and ran from 1992 to 1996. 

Boogie Nights Movie Promo T-Shirt

Year: 1997

Original price: $20

Average sale price (mint): $85

Average sale price (used): $70

Price increase: $65

Price change: 325%

Bottom Line: Boogie Nights Movie Promo T-Shirt

Vintage "Boogie Nights" promo T-shirts are still stylish, thanks to their minimalistic design. It is surprising, though, that these shirts can fetch $85 at auction.

Although they're probably one of the best shirts to pair with a mustache. 

Mighty Max Storms Dragon Island

Year: 1993

Original Price: $20

Average sale price (mint condition): $110

Average sale price (used condition): $54.50

Price increase: $90

Price change: 450%

Bottom Line: Mighty Max Storms Dragon Island

The Dragon Island playset from the Storms line of Mighty Max figurines is a foldout fortress that comes with several figurines, including a bomb-dropping dragon. 

It appears to be one of the more sought-after Mighty Max sets, as this thing can sell for over $100 in mint condition and about $55 used. 

One of the original designers is selling theirs for $290. 

Game Boy Color Pokemon Blue

Year: 1998

Original price: $35

Average sale price (mint): $115

Average sale price (used): $62.50

Price increase: $80

Price change: 228.57%

Bottom Line: Game Boy Color Pokemon Blue

Even though the Nintendo Switch is the latest portable handheld system, some people just prefer the good old Game Boy.

"Pokemon Blue" has had a 229 percent increase in value since its release in 1998, but it still has a price tag within reach for those who refuse to pack their Game Boy away.

Larami Blue Super Soaker

Year: 1990

Original price: $50

Average sale price (mint): $125

Average sale price (used): $72

Price increase: $75

Price change: 150%

Bottom Line: Larami Blue Super Soaker

Does anyone else remember Super Soakers being so much money? Fifty bucks in 1990 is equivalent to about $100 in 2020, which is an outrageous price to pay for a water gun. Especially since we were still in a recession after the savings and loan crisis. 

Regardless, many young children begged their parents to pony up for one of these guns for water-blasting fun times outside (or indoors, followed by being grounded). Mint condition Larami Super Soakers have beat the inflation rate, costing an average of $125. 

Star Wars: The Phantom Menace Queen Amidala T-Shirt

Year: 1999

Original price: $20

Average sale price (mint): $125

Average sale price (used): $125

Price increase: $105

Price change: 525%

Bottom Line: Star Wars: The Phantom Menace Queen Amidala T-Shirt

You may have been a young Padawan when you picked one of these "Star Wars" T-shirts up, but you're older now, and wiser.

The prequels were horrible films that have evolved into extremely popular memes, which might be why these shirts have increased in price. 

For whatever reason, Queen Amidala is the T-shirt of choice, and there also seems to be a market for delightfully tacky prequel T-shirts on eBay. 

Charizard Holo Pokemon Card

Year: 1999

Original price: $2.00

Average sale price (mint): $140

Average sale price (used): $125

Price increase: $138

Price change: 6,900%

Bottom Line: Charizard Holo Pokemon Card

"Pokemon" was a sensation in the 1990s, and it became the most successful media franchise of all time.

The Pokemon card game is still being played and collected by Pokemon fanatics.

And the Charizard Holo card from 1999 has become a rather expensive, vintage card. 

Angel Furby

Year: 2000

Original Price: $35

Average sale price (mint condition): $150

Average sale price (used condition): $49.98

Price increase: $115

Price change: 328.57%

Bottom Line: Angel Furby

Remember Furby? Most of them are worthless now, but special edition Furbys that are still in the box can be worth a good amount of money. 

One of those special edition Furbys is the Angel Furby, which was a Toys "R" Us exclusive Furby that had a limited production run of $10,000. 

One is selling on eBay for about $550. Even unboxed, sellers are asking around $300 for them. 

 

1990 Upper Deck Pavel Bure Rookie Card

Year: 1990

Original Price: $1

Average sale price (mint condition): $150

Average sale price (used condition): $70

Price increase: $149

Price change: 14,900%

Bottom Line: 1990 Upper Deck Pavel Bure Rookie Card

Pavel Bure was known as the "Russian Rocket" during his time in the NHL, where he played for 12 seasons for the Vancouver Canucks, Florida Panthers and New York Rangers. 

The International Ice Hockey Federation Hall of Fame inducted Bure in 2012. If you have his Upper Deck rookie card, and it's in mint condition, it could net you some good money. 

 

Jurassic Park Bush Devil Tracker

Year: 1993

Original price: $35.00

Average sale price (mint): $169

Average sale price (used): $36

Price increase: $134.00

Price change: 382.86%

Bottom Line: Jurassic Park Bush Devil Tracker

"Jurassic Park" made close to $1 billion during its original release, and it was paired with a slew of merchandise, including a toy line from Hasbro.

The Bush Devil Tracker vehicle has proven to be popular among collectors. Those looking for the holy grail can pick up a pair of prototypes for $1,000.  

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Dragonzord

Year: 1993

Original price: $50

Average sale price (mint): $172

Average sale price (used): $81

Price increase: $122

Price change: 244%

Bottom Line: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Dragonzord

The "Power Rangers" franchise hasn't kept its popularity — the 2017 movie totally flopped — but there's still a buying market for those who refuse to say it's no longer morphin' time. 

Twenty-seven years later, the Green Power Ranger's zord, the Dragonzord, is one of the toyline's more expensive offerings.

It does have a drill tail, after all. 

Phantasy Star IV

Year: 1994

Original Price: $60

Average sale price (mint condition): $205

Average sale price (used condition): $175

Price increase: $145

Price change: 241.67%

Bottom Line: Phantasy Star IV

"Phantasy Star IV" is a role-playing game for the Sega Genesis. The "Phantasy Star" series is a favorite among retro gamers and part IV is sometimes considered one of the best RPGs ever made. 

If you have one in mint condition, it's worth a nice little sum of cash. If you only have the cartridge, they go for $20-$40 on eBay. 

American Girl Dolls Addy Walker

Year: 1993

Original price: $100

Average sale price (mint): $220

Average sale price (used): $170

Price increase: $120

Price change: 120%

Bottom Line: American Girl Dolls Addy Walker

American Girl dolls aren't just dolls. They're learning tools that taught young children about other time periods, faiths and ethnicities.

Each American Girl came with a story about the girl and clothes that were period-appropriate. 

American Girl dolls are still around, but some people want the original thing on the shelf. 

Perfect Dark

Year: 2000

Original Price: $60

Average sale price (mint condition): $225

Average sale price (used condition): $44.15

Price increase: $165

Price change: 275%

Bottom Line: Perfect Dark

"Perfect Dark" is a fondly remembered game for the Nintendo 64. It was the spiritual successor to "GoldenEye 007" and is sometimes cited as one of the best games ever made. 

Mint condition copies of "Perfect Dark" are very rare. Someone is trying to sell a 9.4-graded version of the game for $800 on eBay. 

 

The Matrix Subway Movie Poster

Year: 1999

Original price: $5.08

Average sale price (mint): $250

Average sale price (used): $95

Price increase: $244.92

Price change: 4,821.26%

Bottom Line: The Matrix Subway Movie Poster

Subway posters are large and printed horizontally — and they're typically posted in subway stations.

This poster for "The Matrix" measures 45 by 60 inches, so it's more like a banner declaring how much you miss the '90s. 

Vintage Titanic T-Shirts

Year: 1997

Original price: $20

Average sale price (mint): $250

Average sale price (used): $167.50

Price increase: $230

Price change: 1,150%

Bottom Line: Vintage Titanic T-Shirts

What encapsulates 1990s romance like a teenager wearing a T-shirt of Rose and Jack drawn with the skill of a high school art student?

It's genuinely awesome that people are willing to pay so much for this T-shirt.

We bet it holds some fond memories for some folks. 

WWF Kamala Hasbro Action Figure

Year: 1993

Original price: $10

Average sale price (mint): $265

Average sale price (used): $40

Price increase: $255

Price change: 2,550%

Bottom Line: WWF Kamala Hasbro Action Figure

The original Kamala action figure can fetch a high price at market, but what collectors really want is the Kamala action figure with a moon on his belly.

Only 24 of those "Moon Belly Kamala" figures were made, and they are sold for $10,000-$20,000. 

Vintage Matrix T-Shirts

Year: 1999

Original price: $20

Average sale price (mint): $300

Average sale price (used): $175

Price increase: $280

Price change: 1,400%

Bottom Line: Vintage Matrix T-Shirts

While ankle-length leather coats were not on Self Financial's list, T-shirts from "The Matrix" are.

It was a revolutionary movie to be sure, and some people just can't get over how revolutionary it was.

Nostalgic fanatics of the movie are willing to pay up to $300 for some OG vintage "Matrix" shirts. Woah. 

Nirvana and Dave Grohl Ticket Stubs

Year: 1993

Original price: $30

Average sale price (mint): $330

Average sale price (used): $165

Price increase: $300

Price change: 1,000%

Bottom Line: Nirvana and Dave Grohl Ticket Stubs

Why would you buy a ticket to a concert that occurred 17 years ago for 1,000 times more than it originally cost?

We have absolutely no idea, but there's a market for these nostalgic stubs. 

Nintendo Entertainment System Battletoads

Year: 1991

Original price: $50

Average sale price (mint): $375

Average sale price (used): $128.50

Price increase: $325

Price change: 650%

Bottom Line: Nintendo Entertainment System Battletoads

"Battletoads" was a notoriously difficult game for the Nintendo Entertainment System that released in 1991. Its controller-breaking difficulty made it the stuff of legends, and, 20 years later, a bit of a meme.

In 2011, 4chan users prank called the "Pawn Stars" pawn shop en masse, repeatedly asking if they had a copy of "Battletoads." Trolls then did the same thing to Gamestop.

So if you do indeed have an original copy of "Battletoads," you can sell it on eBay for around $129. 

Autographed Alice in Chains Posters

Year: 1995

Original Price: $2

Average sale price (mint condition): $480

Average sale price (used condition): $310

Price increase: $478

Price change: 23,900%

Bottom Line: Autographed Alice in Chains Posters

Alice in Chains was one of the most successful grunge bands of the 1990s. While the band is still active today, original lead singer Layne Staley died in 2002 from a drug overdose. 

Signed posters of the band during the Staley era are quite rare. The poster above is a signed record store promo poster that is being offered on eBay for $2,500, while the previous poster is being offered at $3,950. 

Nirvana In Utero T-Shirt

Year: 1990

Original price: $12.50

Average sale price (mint): $500

Average sale price (used): $200

Price increase: $487.50

Price change: 3,900%

Bottom Line: Nirvana In Utero T-Shirt

If you were a hardcore Nirvana fan, you might still have some of their old T-shirts in your closet. If you do, they could be worth quite a lot.

Certain shirts, apparently those for "In Utero," can sell for several hundred dollars, depending on their condition.

The one with the winged angel is especially popular. 

14K Gold Power Rangers Lost Galaxy Megazord

Year: 1999

Original price: $50

Average sale price (mint): $500

Average sale price (used): $140

Price increase: $450

Price change: 900%

 

 

Bottom Line: 14K Gold Power Rangers Lost Galaxy Megazord

This gold plated Megazord is a very limited edition "Power Rangers" figure that was only sold at FAO Schwartz in the fall of 1999.

These extremely rare action figures are gold-plated with 14 karat gold, and they can sell for a whole lot of money. 

Bill Graham Red Hot Chili Peppers Poster

Year: 1991

Original price: $2

Average sale price (mint): $599

Average sale price (used): $325

Price increase: $597

Price change: 29,850%

Bottom Line: Bill Graham Red Hot Chili Peppers Poster

Harry Rossit designed this awesome, classically '90s grunge rock poster for a concert held by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nirvana and Pearl Jam at the Cow Palace in San Francisco.

Our guess as to why it costs so much money?

It looks really dang cool.

Pokemon Snap

Year: 1999

Original Price: $60

Average sale price (mint condition): $670

Average sale price (used condition): $250.25

Price increase: $610

Price change: 1,016.67%

Pokemon Snap

Nintendo 64 players loved Pokemon Snap, a game where the entire point is just taking pictures of Pokemon in their natural, virtual habitats. 

One of these new in the box will fetch hundreds of dollars. A pristine, 9.4-graded condition copy sold for $1,000 in November 2020 and another sold for $700 in October 2020.

People love Pokemon. 

Vintage Velvet Underground T-Shirts

Year: 1990

Original Price: $12.50

Average sale price (mint condition): $810

Average sale price (used condition): $334.20

Price increase: $797.50

Price change: 6,380%

Bottom Line: Vintage Velvet Underground T-Shirts

Vintage Velvet Underground T-shirts go for a surprising amount of money. It's not entirely clear which ones are the rarest, but the red T-shirt above has an asking price of $1,350 while the previous shirt is selling for over $300. 

Perhaps it's for good reason. Velvet Underground was one of the most popular underground rock bands during its heyday. Officially coming into existence in 1965, the band only existed for about five or six years, with Lou Reed departing in 1970 and almost all of the band following suit thereafter. 

 

The Smashing Pumpkins Siamese Dream Tour T-Shirt

Year: 1993

Original price: $12.50

Average sale price (mint): $1,000

Average sale price (used): $833

Price increase: $987.50

Price change: 7,900%

Bottom Line: The Smashing Pumpkins Siamese Dream Tour T-Shirt

The Smashing Pumpkins hit paydirt with their second album, "Siamese Dream," which contained the hit songs "Today," "Disarm," "Rocket" and "Cherub Rock."

The angsty lyrics of Billy Corgan now strike a nostalgic chord, and people are willing to pay way too much money for some of the band's T-shirts. 

GoldenEye 007

Year: 1997

Original price: $60

Average sale price (mint): $1,025

Average sale price (used): $202.50

Price increase: $965

Price change: 1,608.33%

Bottom Line: GoldenEye 007

"GoldenEye 007" was the definitive multiplayer game for the Nintendo 64 and is now a coveted piece of teenage nostalgia among dads everywhere.

But it is surprising that a sealed, mint condition copy of the game can sell for $1,000.

You can buy two PS5s for that kind of cash.

Super Mario 64

Year: 1996

Original price: $60

Average sale price (mint): $1,235

Average sale price (used): $168.50

Price increase: $1,175

Price change: 1,958.33%

"Super Mario 64" was a Nintendo 64 launch title and one of the first games to really show off what a fully realized 3-D world looked like in the world of gaming.

More importantly, it was a Mario game, and a good one at that. "Mario 64" is still considered one of the franchise's best iterations, but would you spend $1,200 on one?

No one in their right mind would pay that just to play it, though. That price is for collectors only. 

Bottom Line: Super Mario 64

"Super Mario 64" was a Nintendo 64 launch title and one of the first games to really show off what a fully realized 3-D world looked like in the world of gaming.

More importantly, it was a Mario game, and a good one at that. "Mario 64" is still considered one of the franchise's best iterations, but would you spend $1,200 on one?

No one in their right mind would pay that just to play it, though. That price is for collectors only. 

Metal Gear Solid

Year: 1998

Original price: $50

Average sale price (mint): $1,265

Average sale price (used): $50

Price increase: $1,215

Price change: 2,430%

Bottom Line: Metal Gear Solid

"Metal Gear Solid" was a breakthrough stealth game that made the "Metal Gear" series a cult favorite.

This is the first game of the franchise, so it's understandable that this PlayStation 1 disc can net so much money on the market when it's in pristine condition. 

Starfox 64

Year: 1997

Original price: $60

Average sale price (mint condition): $1,275

Average sale price (used condition): $90

Price increase: $1,215

Price change: 2025%

Bottom Line: Starfox 64

Yet another Nintendo 64 game, "Starfox 64" is one of the console's most beloved adventures.

Pilot a ship as a talking fox in space and fight other anthropomorphic animals in spaceships, do a barrel roll, and then sell this thing on eBay if you have an unopened one laying around.

Even a used cartridge can net you enough money to pay for six months of Netflix. 

Nirvana Silk Screen Concert Poster

Year: 1993

Original price: $2

Average sale price (mint): $1,500

Average sale price (used): $760

Price increase: $1,498

Price change: 74,900%

Bottom Line: Nirvana Silk Screen Concert Poster

This is a poster drawn by Frank Kozik, an artist known for his awesome alternative rock posters for 1990s bands.

Nirvana had an exceptionally cool poster for their concert at the Astro Arena in Houston (now the NRG Arena) in 1993.

If you have one, you can make quite a bit of scratch from it on eBay. 

Super Mario Kart Player's Choice

Year: 1993

Original price: $60

Average sale price (mint): $3,000

Average sale price (used): $63

Price increase: $2,940

Price change: 4,900%

Bottom Line: Super Mario Kart Player's Choice

Who didn't love "Super Mario Kart" for the Super Nintendo? This game received the Player's Choice award after it sold one million copies.

Eventually, its sales tallied 8.76 million, and it was the fourth best-selling game for the SNES.

It's still considered one of the best games ever made. 

Donkey Kong Country

Year: 1994

Original price: $60

Average sale price (mint): $3,615

Average sale price (used): $575

Price increase: $ 3,555

Price change: 5,925%

Bottom Line: Donkey Kong Country

"Donkey Kong Country" had incredible graphics for the time, employing pre-rendered 3D models that hadn't been seen before on a 16-bit system. The game itself was fantastic, too. 

But what's really surprising is the price an unopened, mint condition copy of "Donkey Kong Country" can fetch on eBay — a staggering $3,600.

You can buy a truckload of bananas for that. 

Patti the Platypus Beanie Baby (With Errors)

Year: 1993

Original price: $5

Average sale price (mint): $12,504

Average sale price (used): $4,100

Price increase: $12,499

Price change: 24,9980%

 

While the Beanie Baby boom is long dead, there are still some diehard Beanie Baby collectors out there. Those who are still in the live-fast, die-young game of collecting Beanie Babies all have Patti the Platypus on their bucket list. 

Patti is one of the original nine Beanie Babies and came in four different colors during its lifespan. The magenta color, its first color, is most sought-after, while errors on the tag will also increase its value. 

Bottom Line: Patti the Platypus Beanie Baby (With Errors)

While the Beanie Baby boom is long dead, there are still some diehard Beanie Baby collectors out there. Those who are still in the live-fast, die-young game of collecting Beanie Babies all have Patti the Platypus on their bucket list. 

Patti is one of the original nine Beanie Babies and came in four different colors during its lifespan. The magenta color, its first color, is most sought-after, while errors on the tag will also increase its value. 

Topps Finest Refractor Kobe Bryant Gold Rookie Card No. 269

Year: 1997

Original price: $5

Average sale price (mint): $50,000

Average sale price (used): $3,898.80

Price increase: $49,995

Price change: 999,900%

Bottom Line: Topps Finest Refractor Kobe Bryant Gold Rookie Card No. 269

Kobe Bryant died on Jan. 26, 2020, along with his daughter and seven others in a tragic helicopter accident.

While his rookie cards were already extremely expensive, his death caused the cost of these cards to dramatically increase.

The 269 refactor is one of the most expensive Bryant cards on the market, fetching $50,000 for one that's in pristine condition. 

1996 Topps Chrome Refractor Kobe Bryant No. 138

Year: 1996

Original Price: $5

Average sale price (mint): $65,600

Average sale price (used): $300

Price increase: $65,595

Price change: 1,311,900%

The 138 refractor card is one of the most sought-after cards in the entire sports trading card industry. This thing can sell for a shocking $65,000 in mint condition, according to Self.

Now would be a good time to check through those old boxes of stuff from the 1990s. Because if you somehow have a mint condition card like this, you can put a down payment on a new, very expensive house. 

Bottom Line: 1996 Topps Chrome Refractor Kobe Bryant No. 138

The 138 refractor card is one of the most sought-after cards in the entire sports trading card industry. This thing can sell for a shocking $65,000 in mint condition, according to Self.

Now would be a good time to check through those old boxes of stuff from the 1990s. Because if you somehow have a mint condition card like this, you can put a down payment on a new, very expensive house. 

'Magic: The Gathering' Alpha Black Lotus

Year: 1993

Original price: $20

Average sale price (mint): $142,500

Average sale price (used): N/A

Price increase: $142,480

Price change: 712,400%

Bottom Line: 'Magic: The Gathering' Alpha Black Lotus

The Black Lotus card from "Magic: The Gathering" is the most expensive Magic card ever made.

This legendary card has been selling for sky-high prices for over 20 years due to its limited run and the card's power within the Magic universe. 

Only about 1,100 of these cards were ever printed, and no more ever will be made.