12 old household items potentially worth real money

You probably have a few of these hiding in your attic, packed in a moving box, or still sitting in a parent’s basement. They were never bought as “collectibles.” They were just phones, blenders, blankets, and coolers that got used hard, then forgotten.

But a lot of those old household workhorses now sell for real money. Think avocado-green mixers, plaid picnic gear, heavy wool blankets, and chunky stereos from the 1980s. If you recognize any of these from your childhood kitchen or living room, it might be worth digging through those storage bins.

Here are old, very ordinary household items that can quietly be worth a small fortune today.

Turquoise Western electric 500 rotary desk phone

That heavy rotary phone your grandparents had? The turquoise versions are now design pieces for mid-century fans. The Western Electric 500 model came in lots of colors, but turquoise and other pastels are some of the most wanted. These phones are solid, heavy, and built to survive decades on a kitchen wall or hallway table.

Flip the phone over and look for “Western Electric” stamped on the bottom. Many of these can still be wired to work, but even as decor they sell well. Condition matters: original handset, dial that moves freely, no big cracks or yellowing, and a clean cord all help. Some collectors also care about date stamps on the base.

A clean, working turquoise 500 rotary desk phone can fetch about $275 and sometimes more when fully restored.) If you spot that exact blue-green color at a thrift store, grab it and check comps before you underprice it.

Red plaid steel Thermos vacuum bottle (1-quart)

If you grew up in the ‘70s or ‘80s, you’ve seen this one: the classic red plaid metal Thermos bottle that rode to school in every lunchbox. These steel vacuum bottles came in different sizes, but the 1-quart versions with bold plaid patterns and metal cups are especially easy to recognize.

When you find one, open it up. The real money is in bottles with their glass liners intact, no big dents, and a working stopper and cup. A little scuffing is fine; people expect patina on something that’s been to work sites and fishing trips for 50 years. Avoid badly rusted bottoms or missing parts unless you’re pricing it low.

Even with some wear, a vintage 1-quart red plaid bottle can sell for around $25–$40. Rarer patterns or sets with the original lunchbox and matching cup can go higher, especially around the holidays when buyers get nostalgic.

Avocado green Sunbeam Mixmaster stand mixer

Avocado-green appliances were once everywhere, then became a punchline, and now they’re cool again. Sunbeam Mixmaster stand mixers from the late 1960s and 1970s, especially in avocado green, have a steady following with people building retro kitchens.

Look for a heavy stand mixer with a tilt-back head, a speed dial on the side, and “Sunbeam Mixmaster” branding. Avocado versions usually have matching green or brown bowls. Check that it powers on and the beaters spin smoothly. Even if you can’t fully test it, working lights and turning blades are a good sign.

Working avocado Mixmasters with beaters and at least one bowl often sell in the $40–$80 range, sometimes more if very clean and complete. The color is the hook here, a basic white mixer may be worth only a fraction of the same model in that dated green.

Skotch Kooler plaid metal picnic cooler

Before plastic coolers took over, a lot of families packed road-trip lunches into metal Skotch Koolers. These are the round or barrel-shaped coolers wrapped in red-and-black (or red-and-green) plaid with a metal handle and lid. They scream “1950s fishing trip” and fit right into cabin or camp-style decor.

On the bottom or side you may see “Skotch Kooler” or Hamilton branding. Look for the original lid, interior liner, and a handle that still works. Rust, dings, and scratches are normal, but heavy interior rust or missing lids will drag down the value. Some versions came with trays or accessories, which can bump up the price.

A 4-gallon plaid Skotch Kooler in good vintage condition can bring around $120. Rarer colors and near-perfect examples can go higher, especially if they photograph well for design-minded buyers.

Tupperware Wonderlier pastel nesting bowl sets

Those stackable plastic bowls with pastel lids your mom used for potato salad might be worth more than you think. Vintage Tupperware Wonderlier or Servalier nesting sets from the 1960s–70s are popular with collectors and people who actually use them in the kitchen.

You’re looking for a full set of bowls that nest inside each other, usually in five sizes, with matching pastel lids in colors like aqua, yellow, pink, and blue. Check for cracks, warping, and stained interiors. Light scuffs are normal. Bowls without lids are worth less, but still sell if the colors are good.

A complete five-piece Wonderlier-style pastel set in nice shape can sell for around $50+ (https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/4382827437/vintage-tupperware-wonderlier-nesting). (Etsy) Rare colors or large matching sets can climb higher, especially if you stage them nicely in photos.

Corning Ware “Spice of Life” 3L casserole dishes

Corning Ware casseroles were everyday cooking dishes for decades. The “Spice of Life” pattern, white with vegetables and herbs printed on the side, has turned into a hot collectible line. The 3-liter A-3-B casseroles, especially those marked “L’Echalote La Marjolaine” or similar, are often the most interesting.

Flip the dish over and look for “A-3-B” or a similar code, plus the Spice of Life name. Original glass lids help a lot. Condition matters: chips, burned-on stains, or dishwasher haze will cut into what you can get. Some number-stamped pieces are considered rare and can jump way up in value.

Plenty of standard Spice of Life 3-quart casseroles with lids sell in the $30–$70 range while special versions and big sets can go into the hundreds or more. It’s worth checking the exact pattern and backstamp before you price one.

Fire-King Jadeite D-handle coffee mugs

Those solid green mugs you remember from a diner or grandma’s kitchen might be Fire-King jadeite. These heavy glass mugs in a milky jade-green shade are some of the most recognizable vintage kitchen collectibles. The classic style has a squared-off “D” handle.

Turn the mug over and look for “Fire-King,” “Oven Ware,” or similar markings. The color should be even, without big chips or cracks. Minor utensil marks are common. Plain restaurant-style jadeite mugs are strong sellers; graphics, logos, and rare variations can bring more.

Single D-handle jadeite mugs often sell around $35–$70 depending on style and condition, while pairs or small sets can hit $100–$160+. If you see a stack of them in a thrift store, don’t leave them behind.

1960s starburst wall clocks

Starburst or sunburst wall clocks, with metal or wood “rays” shooting out from a small clock face, were a mid-century staple. The real vintage ones, especially from the 1950s and 1960s, now sell well as statement pieces in modern homes.

Look for brass, wood, or metal rays rather than light plastic. Names like Junghans, Atlanta, Ingraham, or various German makers on the dial can nudge the value up. Check that the hands move and the mechanism works or can be easily changed to a modern quartz movement.

Original 1960s starburst clocks in good shape commonly sell in the $100–$300 range, and some larger or rarer examples can go even higher. If you find one for a few bucks at a yard sale, that’s an easy flip.

Hudson’s Bay 4-Point wool blankets

Those heavy striped wool blankets with colored bands near the ends may be more than just warm. Genuine Hudson’s Bay “point” blankets, especially 4-point sizes, are sought after by collectors and people furnishing cabins and rustic homes.

Look for a woven label showing the Hudson’s Bay name and the point markings along the edge (small stitched lines that indicate size). Classic multicolor stripes (green, red, yellow, black on cream) are always popular, but solid or unusual colors can be valuable too. Moth holes, stains, and worn edges lower the price but don’t always kill it.

Depending on color and condition, vintage 4-point Hudson’s Bay wool blankets often sell in the $200–$600 range. Extra-clean examples or rare colorways can go even higher.

Dansk Kobenstyle Enamel Casserole Pans

If you see a low, wide enamel pot with a cross-shaped lid that doubles as a trivet, you may have stumbled on a Dansk Kobenstyle piece. Designed by Jens Quistgaard in the 1950s, these brightly colored casseroles and paella pans are mid-century modern classics.

Flip the piece over and look for “Dansk,” “Kobenstyle,” or “France” marks. Popular colors include red, mustard yellow, teal, and deep blue. Chips in the enamel, especially on the rims and handles, will cut into value but don’t always make the piece unsellable. Lids are critical, a pan without its original lid is worth much less.

Depending on size, color, and condition, Kobenstyle casseroles often sell for about $125–$275, sometimes more for rare colors or larger pots. If you flip cookware, it’s worth learning how to recognize that distinctive lid.

Farberware “Superfast” Electric Coffee Percolators

Before drip machines, a lot of families perked their coffee in Farberware Superfast percolators. These tall stainless-steel pots, often with black handles, are classic mid-century design. Many are still in working order and have a loyal following with coffee fans.

Look for “Farberware” and “Superfast” markings on the base or underside. Common models include 2–8 cup and 8–12 cup versions. Check that the cord is present, the interior isn’t heavily corroded, and the basket and stem are included. Plug it in briefly if you can do so safely to see if it heats.

Working mid-century Farberware Superfast percolators often sell between $35 and $75, with some especially clean or boxed examples going higher. Not bad for something that might be gathering dust in a cabinet.

Panasonic RX-5050 Boombox

If you see a huge 1980s boombox with four speakers and a busy front panel, take a second look. The Panasonic RX-5050 (and RX-5050F variants) are serious collector pieces in the vintage audio world. They’re big, loud, and hard to miss once you know what to look for.

Check for a model label (often on the back) that reads RX-5050 or RX-5050F. Look at the cassette deck, EQ sliders, and antenna. Working condition is ideal, but even non-working units can bring solid money if they’re clean and complete. Heavy wear, missing knobs, or broken antennas drop value but don’t always kill it.

Rough, partially working RX-5050s can change hands for a few hundred dollars while clean RX-5050F units in good condition can be priced around $2,000 or more and even higher on some collector sites That’s serious profit if you pull one out of a closet or thrift-store shelf.

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Byline: Katy Willis