1. Original 1959 Barbie
Manufacturer: Mattel
original price: US$ 3*
Worth today: US$ 27,450*
Before Barbie dolls were invented, dolls were always babies or stuffed toys. Barbie revolutionized the doll market and went on to revolutionize the toy industry as a whole. The petite, unrealistically proportioned Barbie has evolved every decade with new shoes, new careers, and finally, today, new shapes and colors.
Mattel was the first toy company to show advertising for children and this contributed greatly to Barbie's original sales as they received a lot of criticism due to their lack of diversity and polarized gender roles. Barbie dolls are highly collectible these days, and if you can get your hands on an original 1959 Barbie, you'll make a small fortune wearing high heels.
When you think of the relatively small purchase price of just $ 3 originally, this marks a huge return on investment. However, as with any collectible, unboxed and untouched Barbies will fetch the highest price at auction. Barbie's lost limbs definitely don't appeal to the market.