Barbie is not only a fashion icon, but she can also be worth a lot. Some of the most sought-after and valuable Barbies are worth thousands of dollars.
Find out what clues can help you identify an antique Barbie, and whether or not it’s worth getting her appraised. With the right information, you can get a better understanding of how much a vintage Barbie is worth.
Stefano Canturi Barbie – $302,500
This model 2010 is all about luxury and style. She has vintage looks, a stunning black dress and a one-carat diamond necklace. She was the only one ever made and was auctioned to raise money for charity. According to Canturi, she sold for $302,000. This is the most expensive Barbie in the world because she is so rare and limited.
Diamond Castle Promotional Barbies – $94,800
This doll was released in 2008 as a promotional item for the movie Barbie & the Diamond Castle. However, it has not been sold at this price. The super limited edition doll is said to be worth $94800. She is wearing a pink gown with more than 300 diamonds and a gorgeous tiara.
De Beers 40th Anniversary Barbie – $85,000
This sparkling Barbie, which is said to be valued at $85,000 by diamond company De Beers, was created in collaboration with Mattel. She wears a diamond bikini, a diamond belt, and a flowing silk outfit. She’s the most expensive doll ever, even though she was never seen in a toy store.
Original Barbie – $27,000
The original first-edition Barbie from 1959 is extremely rare. Money, Inc. states that she is worth $8,000 even in a used condition. Money, Inc. reports that even in played-with condition, she is worth $8,000.
Pink Diamond Barbie – $15,000
This super-valuable Barbie made headlines in 2013 for its $15, 000 price tag. Pink Diamond Barbie has a unique doll, with a pink feather boa and a pink dress. You can still find a replica if you are a collector.
Need to know
Barbie executives anticipate that the Barbie film will cause a spike in sales for new dolls. The 2023 movie could also have an impact on vintage Barbie value. If you plan to sell a vintage Barbie doll, keep an eye out for recent sales.
How can you tell if a Barbie is worth anything?
Remember Barbie & the Rockers in the best rock star costume ever? She may have more value than sentimental value.
The majority of Barbie collectables or Barbie dolls found in attics are not worth much, but a select few are. Vintage Barbie values increase every year, so it may be worth searching through your grandmother or mother’s attic. You can tell whether a Barbie doll has any value by looking for these clues:
She is from the 1950s and 1960s
According to Invaluable the earliest Barbies are the most collectible Barbies. They were produced from the 1960s until the 1970s. Since Barbie made her debut in 1959 she has been admired for her beauty and fashion. Collectors can pay up to $25,000 for a mint-condition Barbie from this period. She is a very valuable doll. You can tell your Barbies from this period by looking at a few clues:
- On the bottom of a doll’s foot, you will find “Made in Japan”.
- Barbies made before 1968 often divided fingers because the moulds at that time were capable of producing this level of detail.
- Barbie’s first hip is stamped with “Barbie”.
- Older Barbies are slimmer than the newer ones, which have rounded faces.
- Barbies older than 20 years old often sport a high ponytail.
These vintage favourites are sometimes referred to as antique Barbies. However, this term isn’t correct. Generally, something is only considered antique if it’s at least one hundred years old. Only those made before 1930 qualify as antique Barbies. Barbie was first produced in 1959 so she does not qualify as an antique.
She’s Still In The Box
HellaWealth says that because the majority of vintage Barbies are played with, collectors enjoy a rare Barbie still in its box. Barbies in the box are in perfect condition, with all accessories and original packaging. These dolls are highly sought after because they are so rare.
She looks great for her age
Barbie will turn 60 in 2019. Vintage Barbies have not fared as well. It is not uncommon to find Barbies who were loved but perhaps not as well taken care of. Even the most expensive Barbie dolls will have a value that increases or decreases depending on how well she’s maintained. She will have the following features and be worth more than her sisters.
- Smooth hair
- Skin free of marks
- Faces with bright, clear features
- All Accessories are present
- Clothing in good condition and clean
- No smell
She is one of the rare ones
Some Barbies are very rare. If you own one of these rare Barbies, it may be worth quite a bit of money.
- Lorainne Schwarz Barbie This Barbie is not vintage. There were only 12 made, making her highly collectable.
- City Smart Barbie Made in 2003, the vintage-inspired Barbie was a limited edition. Only 600 were made.
- Pink Splendor Barbie– This Barbie, from 1997, is highly prized for its stunning pink gown. Only 10,000 were made and they are hard to come by in good condition.
- Calvin Klein Barbie This Barbie is in excellent condition. Most of these Barbies were played with and unboxed.
Barbie Price Guide by Decade
Mattel’s Barbie has been a favourite of young and old fashionistas since the mid-20th Century. Mattel’s Barbie has been updated hundreds of times over the last 63 years to keep up with the changing culture. However, not all of these dolls are collectables that are worth more than the sentimental value of their childhood.
As is the case for many vintage toys, from
Popular Barbie Doll Values: 1960s
The first Barbie doll was released in 1959. It’s easy to place the early versions of this doll into the 1960s. That’s when the classic Barbie began to emerge. Among the Barbies that stand out are the original Barbie doll, the ponytail Barbies in various colours, the ‘ Swirl’ Barbie and Twist ‘n Turn Barbie. Barbie dolls in boxes from this era, with all their accessories included, are highly collectable. They often sell at markets for several hundred dollars. Barbie dolls from this period were sold for the following prices:
- Collectors of vintage Barbies are always looking for a boxed and unopened Barbie. This is evident in the $250 winning bid on this boxed ponytail Barbie.
- Barbies in the 1960s, with their original packaging and accessories such as instruction manuals or accessory kits, can fetch a high price. This lightly used 1962 “Bubble Cut” Barbie in its original box is currently listed on Etsy for $225.
Popular Barbie Doll Values: 1970s
Barbie’s wardrobe had changed from prim and proper to one that was more relaxed by the 1970s. Barbies in the 1970s let their hair down literally and metaphorically, embracing a new sense of experimentation and freedom that was associated with the time. In 1971, the Sunset Malibu Barbie was introduced. Her long blonde hair, bright swimsuit and sexy look were emulated by many for years.
- The value of this Sunset Malibu Barbie is largely because it’s still in the box. This collection of Barbies, produced in 1971, was one of the most popular Barbies of the decade.
- Barbie dolls that have novelty mechanical functions are also popular among collectors. This unopened and boxed ‘Growing Up” Skipper from 1975, for example, is listed on eBay for $299.
Popular Barbie Doll Values: 1980s
Mattel expanded its Barbie line in the 1980s. They introduced the first Barbies from the “Happy Holidays Series” and the “Rockers” line. Barbies of this era still inspire nostalgia in collectors. Rarer dolls fetch hundreds of dollars at auction. The best-condition Barbies of the mass-marketed decade that was dominated by the tubular style will sell at auction for between $20 and $50.
- This 1986 “Rockers” Barbie, still in its box, sold at auction for just $26. The fact that these Barbies are so common means they don’t fetch high prices.
- If you want to maximize your profits with Barbies of the 1980s, look for multiples in sets that are in near-mint condition. This Barbie & Ken Ice Capades Duo, for example, sold together for $84.99 but would have brought in less money if purchased separately.
Popular Barbie Doll Values: 1990s
Mattel turned Barbie into an efficient machine by the 1990s. Each doll had its unique schtick, and new ones were released almost every week. Barbies from the 1990s, which were brightly coloured and accessorized and loved by Millennials, are not as valuable for collectors and fetch lower prices. They are easy to locate (even in boxes and unopened) and were mass-produced enough to not be rare. You can find these dolls for between $10 and $30 each.
- Barbie was branching out in the 1990s. Dolls were modelled for sporting events, cosmetics brands, production firms, and much more. These dolls, despite how popular they are today, won’t fetch much more than what you paid for them originally. This boxed ‘Olympic Gymnast’ Barbie, from 1996, only sold at auction for $15.99.
- Barbie’s continued occupation series was another claim to fame in the 90s. Barbie, who had been an astronaut for many years, took on many new roles in the 1990s, including the dubious title “Working Woman.” One of the boxed dolls from 1999 was only $19.99.
Popular Barbie Doll Values: 2000s
Barbies had become a thing of the past by the turn of the millennium. They were replaced by a growing number of technology toys that appeared in Christmas catalogues around the world. Even though dolls from the 2000s aren’t that collectable, some dolls can be sold at auction.
- You might remember if you were a parent in the early 2000s the ‘Happy Family Midge’ doll which came with a detachable baby and pregnant belly that children could use to simulate childbirth. These dolls are still selling for about $100 despite the somewhat creepy outcome. This boxed Midge and Baby sold recently for $105.
- The “Jewel Girl Barbie”, a doll which launched the new millennium, was created by Barbie. This doll, with its new body shape and flexible rubber stomach, ushered in an era of fashion for Barbie. Boxed Barbies, especially those in colours, can be sold for $50 to $100. This “Jewel Girl Christie” doll, for example, sold at auction for $78.
What If You Think Your Barbie is Valuable
Consider having your Barbie professionally appraised if you believe you may have a valuable Barbie. It can be difficult for someone who is not an expert to determine if a Barbie doll has value. Sometimes, you can find free local appraisals in your area or even online, but more commonly, you’ll need to appraise old toys. This will allow you to trust their information and determine whether she is a Barbie that’s worth money or not.
Barbies Are Worth Both Money and Sentiment
Barbie, like many collectible dolls, can have more sentimental than monetary value. Your doll may have more value to you than an investment if she is loved and played with. It’s always fun to find out what makes Barbies collectable and valuable, as well as how much your old Barbies or Barbie Products are worth.