When people think about an inheritance, a house or money probably comes to mind first. But sometimes the belongings left behind can hold surprising value too, from an old watch tucked inside a drawer to artwork, vintage clothing, toys, or collectibles that have been in the family for decades.
These 12 inherited items may be far more valuable than they first appear.
Vintage Clothing
An inherited closet can hold much more than outdated clothing, especially if it contains vintage designer pieces, older denim, leather jackets, band shirts, or well-preserved clothing from desirable eras. Labels, construction, condition, rarity, and current demand can all make certain pieces surprisingly collectible.
Original Artwork
Never assume a painting has little value simply because you don’t recognize the artist or particularly like the style. Check the front and back for signatures, gallery labels, exhibition information, handwritten notes, dates, and other clues before donating inherited artwork.
Jewelry
Grandma’s jewelry box may contain a mixture of inexpensive costume pieces and items worth considerably more. Gold, sterling silver, gemstones, signed designer jewelry, antique pieces, and collectible vintage costume jewelry are all worth identifying before selling everything together.
Coins and Old Currency
A jar of old coins shouldn’t automatically be taken to the bank and exchanged for face value. Certain dates, mint marks, errors, precious-metal content, condition, and rarity can make individual coins or bills much more valuable than the number printed on them.
Watches
An old watch sitting untouched in a dresser drawer may be more interesting than it initially appears. The manufacturer, model, movement, age, originality, condition, and even the accompanying box and paperwork can significantly affect collector interest.
Collectible Toys
Childhood toys are another category I’d hesitate to throw into a donation box without checking them individually. Vintage Barbie dolls, early Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price toys, Star Wars figures, G.I. Joe, Transformers, LEGO sets, and other nostalgic toys can have active collector markets.
Sterling Silver
Tarnished silver can look surprisingly unimpressive after spending decades tucked inside a cabinet or drawer. Look for marks such as “STERLING” or “925,” along with recognizable manufacturers, before assuming inherited flatware, serving pieces, bowls, or decorative objects are ordinary silverplate.
Vintage Furniture
That dresser or sideboard nobody has room for could be worth investigating before calling someone to haul it away. Mid-century modern furniture, quality solid-wood pieces, designer furniture, and items from desirable manufacturers can sometimes have a much stronger resale market than traditional mass-produced antiques.
Books and Paper Collectibles
Most inherited books won’t make anyone rich, but that doesn’t mean you should donate an entire library without looking through it. First editions, signed books, early children’s books, vintage cookbooks, comics, maps, postcards, historical documents, and other unusual paper items deserve a closer look.
Pottery, Glassware and Ceramics
The china cabinet can be one of the easiest places to overlook something collectible because so many pieces simply look like old dishes and vases. Certain examples of art pottery, Murano and other art glass, Depression glass, vintage Pyrex, porcelain, and pieces from desirable makers can be worth researching individually.
Family Collections
Coins, stamps, sports memorabilia, records, advertising pieces, figurines, military memorabilia, and other collections may have taken someone decades to assemble. Even if you don’t share the person’s interest, don’t assume the collection is worthless until you understand what it contains and whether collectors are actively buying it.
Handmade and One-of-a-Kind Pieces
Handmade quilts, furniture, textiles, folk art, carvings, and other unusual objects can be difficult to value because there may not be an identical item to compare them with. Age, craftsmanship, provenance, regional history, maker attribution, and condition can all matter, so it’s worth investigating these pieces before letting them go.
