YOU could be sitting on a stack of Pokemon cards, Casio watches & Lego worth thousands – here’s how to check.
A surge of interest in the popular items means auctioneers believe they could fetch a whopping sum.
Some Pokemon cards could fetch impressive sums at auctionRex
Typical auction items such as antiques, jewellery and art are facing tough competition for the classic items, according to auction search engine Barnebys.
Barnebys said a host of younger buyers and sellers is driving a 200 per cent increase in the sale of these nostalgic items since 2019.
One of Barnebys founders, Pontus Silfverstolpe, said: “It’s difficult to pinpoint the exact reasons behind any given auction trend, but younger users entering the market have undoubtedly influenced which items become popular.
“Millennial and Gen Z users have increased over 200 per cent on Barnebys since 2019, which aligns with the higher interest in ‘90s items like Pokémon cards and Casio watches. These users seem to crave a return to the nostalgia of their childhood, and they now have the disposable income to afford it.”
Here’s how to work out if you’ve got a valuable item.
Pokémon and trading cards
Pokemon was a toy phenomenon back in the 1990s but the popular cards featuring cute characters could be worth some serious cash now.
Pokemon cards have become collectibles, with fans splashing out thousands and even millions of pounds for the rarest.
While individual cards may not go for thousands, packs of sealed cards, and some rare single cards, do go for high prices – and for serious investors this is where the money is.
The record for the most expensive Pokemon card ever sold was the Pikachu Illustrator card that was PSA grade 10.
It was snapped up by YouTuber Logan Paul for a whopping £3,862,424 last year.
Richard Page, owner of NeoCards and Collectibles, previously told The Sun that the most valuable cards are those that are older, harder to find (so rare) and are in the best condition.
Plus, you can find the Pokemon cards with the five biggest price tags currently being sold on eBay.
Retro cameras
The most famous retro camera, the Polaroid, have long been a popular choice.
Classic cameras from brands such as Kodak and Canon are also highly sought after, Barnebys said.
And now, they could fetch eye-watering prices – so you might be in luck if you have one!
In 2021, Instax launched their instant camera, the Instax Mini 40.
A premium, retro looking camera, it’s their most Insta-worthy camera yet.
Vintage watches
Watches from days gone by are also seeing growing demand, the Daily Mail reported.
Luxury brands such as Rolex and Omega are often popular at auction, but Barnebys reports a cheaper rival coming up behind – Casio.
Casio’s digital and analogue watches are known for their tough design and utilitarian function – which has proved popular among fans.
In recent news, one watch owner was left stunned after finding out a watch he picked up for £32 was a genuine vintage Rolex Submariner 5512 purchased in 1961 in Aiden, Yemen.
Old Lego and toys
Old and limited edition Lego sets can sell for tens of thousands of pounds.
They can be especially popular on auction sites.
Lego could be a better investment than gold, art and financial securities, a study suggests.
The secondary market for old sets surges by 11 per cent annually — which is faster and less volatile than bullion, stocks and bonds on average, it was reported in 2021.
It comes as Lego hit headlines recently in February – a major toy shop is giving away free LEGO at 50 of its shops.
The Entertainer is offering kids the chance to get a free LEGO Friends toy as part of a “Make and Take” event.