Who would have thought that those dusty objects accumulated in the cellar or in the drawers could represent a small treasure? Yet it happens more and more often. Adam Koprucki, founder of Real World Investor, makes an interesting appeal to Americans: before getting rid of what you consider junk, think twice, because some of those items could pay for your retirement.
The question is less bizarre than it seems. Many everyday items purchased years ago have seen their value grow exponentially. Koprucki goes so far as to argue that certain household items could be worth more than an entire stock portfolio by 2030. A bold prediction, but one supported by hard data.
The iPhone that’s worth as much as a car
Let’s take the most striking example: the first iPhone. When Apple launched it in 2007, the price was $499, a high cost for the time, but nothing compared to current prices. Exemplars still sealed in their original packaging today fetch figures in excess of $20,000 at specialized auctions. Koprucki predicts that models in pristine condition could exceed $50,000 by 2030.
An estimate that even appears prudent if we look at recent records. In 2023, a first-generation 8GB iPhone sold for $63,356, not to mention a very rare 4GB model, also from 2007, sold for an incredible $190,372, figures that make you reflect on what it means to keep certain technological objects.
A constantly growing market
The phenomenon of collecting is not an isolated exception. According to Grand View Research, the collectibles market in the United States has reached $62 billion by 2024. Forecasts indicate constant growth to reach $83.7 billion by 2030, an annual increase of 5.3%. Data that demonstrates how this sector also resists economic uncertainties.
Nostalgia worth its weight in gold
Technological products are not the only ones to see prices skyrocket. Objects linked to our childhood in the 1980s and 1990s have gained a prominent place in the collectibles market. The original Star Wars action figures or Pokémon cards that filled albums could now finance the down payment on a house, as in the case of an extremely rare card depicting Raichu sold for $555,000 due to a printing error on the back.
Original Transformers from the 1980s, if still sealed in their packaging, are worth up to $20,000 each. Books have also seen truly incredible revaluations, such as the first editions of Harry Potter, purchased for less than 20 dollars, and which today can reach 50,000 dollars.
Video games exceed all expectations
The vintage video game industry has set unimaginable records. The rarest Nintendo titles from the 1980s and 1990s often fetch more than $100,000.
The most sensational case concerns a sealed copy of Super Mario Bros., sold in 2021 for 2 million dollars (I had already talked about it in this article). Consider that that game, at the time of launch, cost around 30 dollars.
Practical advice for those seeking fortune
The condition of the item makes a difference. Koprucki points out that items in original packaging can be worth up to ten times more than used ones, not forgetting that even items in excellent condition, which appear new, retain considerable market value.
Before putting up for sale any object that seems promising, it is best to have it evaluated by experts. Online auction sites have greatly simplified the sale of collectibles, but knowing exactly what you have remains essential to achieving maximum profit. An accurate appraisal can make the difference between a disappointing sale and an extraordinary deal, and the treasure hunt in your own home could prove more fruitful than you think.
