5 Bizarre Things People Collect That Are Worth a Fortune

Do you dream of winning the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot? While these lottery games offer the chance for an instant fortune, the odds are slim. However, some dedicated collectors have discovered more unexpected ways to amass a fortune. Instead of rushing to the gas station for a lottery ticket, they set out on a thrilling hunt through their local thrift stores and eBay. There, they uncover collectibles worth hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. But these are not your typical coins, stamps, or baseball cards. These collectibles are peculiar but still bring their owners just as much happiness.

Soda Cans

Your next payday could be lying in a recycling bin. Popular soda cans include special editions featuring Olympic logos, blockbuster movie characters, and vintage designs. Like coin and bill collectors pay big bucks for “error” items with incorrect printing, soda can collectors also seek out error cans. The most sought-after error can for collectors is a brand-new, empty can. You could cash in big if you ever come across a sealed soda can without any liquid.

In 2023, the most expensive soda can ever listed on eBay was $347,000. Rare soda cans are selling for hundreds on eBay. A set of three vintage Hi-C Ghostbusters Green Slime cans sold for around $800, and a single vintage can of Dr. Pepper sold for $150.

Monopoly Games

The board game that challenges players to control their impulses to win it all has been a staple of family-friendly entertainment since the early 1900s. Many Monopoly players, however, don’t know they can earn real cash, but not by playing the game — by collecting the boards themselves. Neil Scallan knows a thing or two about Monopoly board collections. He’s the Guinness World Record holder for Monopoly memorabilia, with a collection of 2,249 items — which means he owns a small fortune.

A regular Monopoly board game costs around $20, but luxury editions, made of leather or wood, cost around $300. Vintage and special edition games (from NFL teams to Nintendo and Disney characters) are sold for hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars on places like eBay. The most expensive monopoly set designed by artist Sidney Mobell was valued at $2 million upon completion. The 23-karat gold game is studded in diamonds, sapphires, and rubies.

Rubber Ducks

This unorthodox collector’s item became popular in the mid-20th century, and now, special edition rubber duckies are produced by famous brands worldwide. Charlotte Lee, the world record holder of duck collections, owns over 9,000. Her collection includes rare and vintage ducks dating to the 1930s. She finds them everywhere: “Grocery stores, art museums, flea markets, antique stores, even book shops…” The most she’s paid for a duck is $150 for a special edition item from Japan — but some are sold for even more. A rare Lufthansa golden rubber duck has a price tag of $500, and Axe “evil” rubber ducks with devil horns go for around $300.

Uranium Glass

Now used primarily as fuel for nuclear reactors, uranium has found a place in the homes of avid collectors who favor unconventional dishware. Uranium was first used to color glass during the mid-19th century, giving it a luminescent yellow-green color. Due to a low uranium supply, it fell out of production during World War II and became a rare collector’s item decades later. 

Part of the allure of uranium glass (also called vaseline, custard, Burmese, or canary glass) is that it glows in the dark. These pieces sell for anywhere from $10 to $10,000, depending on how rare the piece is. A vintage uranium fruit bowl costs around $350 — but don’t put real fruit in it. You can’t drink or eat out of uranium products due to the risk of ingesting radioactive materials, but in general, it is safe to have in your home if you avoid frequent handling and store it correctly. To find uranium glass pieces, look for yellow-green glass that glows under UV light.

McDonald’s Toys

Who doesn’t have fond memories of opening a McDonald’s Happy Meal to find an exciting new toy? As of 2021, the franchise discontinued including plastic miniatures in meals, so McDonald’s toys have become a nostalgic collector’s item. Even seemingly basic toys, such as 1980s Happy Meal Hot Wheels cars, sell for $70 a pop in their original packaging. 

Toys from the 2000s are valuable, too. Happy Meal Furbies from this era are valued at over $100 each. If you’re holding on to any Fraggle Rock toys from the 1990s, it might be time to turn them into cash — they are valued at over $400 each. The most expensive individual Happy Meal toys are 1970s Robots and Underwater Monsters by Diener Keshi, valued at $600 each. You could amass a small fortune if you had an entire collection in mint condition. 

Feature Image Credit: Marius Steinke/ iStock