It’s easy to look at an old household item and assume it belongs in the donation pile or the trash. But some things that seem outdated, worn, or no longer useful could be worth more than you’d expect, especially if they’re hard to find or collectors seek them out.

Before your next decluttering session, take a closer look at what’s hiding in your cupboards, closets, and storage boxes. Here are 10 everyday items you might mistake for junk that could be worth a pretty penny.

Antique Cameras

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That dusty camera sitting in an old case could be more interesting than it looks. Certain vintage cameras, especially desirable models from well-known makers like Leica and Kodak, have dedicated collectors, so check the model name and serial number before deciding what to do with one.

Vintage Furniture

Older furniture can be especially easy to underestimate when it’s scratched, dated, or hidden beneath an unattractive finish. Mid-century pieces, Shaker-style furniture, and items from recognized designers or manufacturers may be desirable for their construction and design, so it’s worth identifying them before painting, altering, or discarding them.

Vintage Clothing

Don’t automatically send an old wardrobe to the donation pile without checking what’s hanging inside. Vintage dresses, denim, coats, handbags, and other well-preserved clothing can attract collectors, particularly when pieces have distinctive designs, desirable labels, or connections to a particular era.

Rare Coins

An old jar of coins is one place where a little research can pay off. A coin’s value can depend on its date, mint mark, condition, metal content, rarity, and even certain errors or varieties, so avoid cleaning unfamiliar coins before having potentially interesting examples identified.

Antique Jewelry

A piece of jewelry doesn’t need to look modern to be worth keeping. Older rings, brooches, necklaces, and bracelets may contain precious metals or gemstones, while signed pieces and distinctive designs from particular periods can also appeal to collectors.

Old Books

Age alone doesn’t make a book valuable, but some old books deserve a closer look before you discard them. First editions, signed copies, limited printings, unusual illustrated books, historically significant titles, and books with desirable bindings can sometimes be collectible, particularly when they’re in good condition.

Vinyl Records

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The return of vinyl means an old record collection shouldn’t automatically be treated as outdated clutter. Certain original pressings, limited releases, promotional copies, unusual variants, and sought-after albums can be collectible, with the condition of both the record and its sleeve playing an important role.

Vintage Typewriters

An old manual typewriter may seem obsolete in a world of laptops, but that’s part of what makes these machines appealing. Collectors, writers, and decorators still seek certain vintage models, especially complete, attractive examples from desirable manufacturers in working or restorable condition.

Silver Flatware

Don’t assume Grandma’s tarnished flatware is ordinary stainless steel just because it has sat unused for decades. Some sets and individual pieces are sterling silver, while others may be silver-plated, so look for hallmarks such as “sterling” or “.925” and identify the maker and pattern before deciding whether to keep or sell them.

Vintage Toys

Yesterday’s playthings can become today’s collectibles, particularly when fewer examples have survived intact. Tin toys, dolls, trains, early action figures, die-cast vehicles, and other vintage toys may be worth researching before you throw them away, especially if they still have their original packaging, accessories, instructions, or parts.