The 1960s were an eventful decade. American society became less restrictive, humans landed on the moon, and a nuclear war was avoided in the Cuban Missile Crisis. Items from the decade that were relatively cheap have become rare, sought-after collectors’ items that can fetch hundreds of dollars.
Mid-Century Modern Furniture
In the 1960s, mid-century modern furniture was hugely popular, with clean, simple lines and a lack of decorative embellishments. In recent years, interest in this vintage furniture has increased, with 1960s Eames lounge chairs costing over $10,000.
Vintage Comic Books
Zap-Kapow Comics explains that the 1960s contained “the bulk of what’s known as the Silver Age” of comics, making it “the decade for collectors, featuring more lasting, impactful comic book characters’ first appearances than any other decade.” The Amazing Fantasy No. 15, published in 1961, introduced Spider-Man, and copies today are now worth $355,000.
Classic Cars
The 1960s introduced a range of iconic car models that are still produced and loved today. The Mini became a popular fashion symbol of the time and is often considered the last golden decade in British car history. Iconic Mustangs, Corvettes, and Jaguars have appreciated over time. Jaguar E-Types from that time can go for $300,000.
Vinyl Records
Collectors highly prize first- and limited-release vinyl records from the 1960s. Rare vinyl copies of The Beatles’ White Album and Bob Dylan’s Blonde on Blonde can go for hundreds of dollars, especially if sealed.
Vintage Toys
Barbie, G.I. Joe, and Hot Wheels became hugely popular toys in the 1960s and have since become timeless classics. Barbie was recently in a hit film, and Hot Wheels is popular with adult collectors. The original “Sweet Sixteen” models in good condition can go for $200, and even more if in their original packaging. Reader’s Digest notes that Barbie’s 1967 Francie doll can sell for “$500 to $2,500 dollars, depending on condition.”
Fashion Items
Chanel, Charles Jourdan, and Dior were some of the iconic designers of the 1960s, setting the look of the decade. Vintage Dior bags from the period sell for hundreds of dollars on eBay and other auction houses.
Space Age Collectibles
The Space Age kicked off with the launch of Sputnik 1 in 1957 and saw the Space Race of the 1960s, which culminated in America landing a man on the moon on the Apollo 11 mission. Models and photos signed by astronauts from the time are highly valued by collectors and can fetch hundreds of dollars.
Psychedelic Art Posters
The 1960s were the beginning of the psychedelic era, with musicians like Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, and The Beatles incorporating psychedelic sounds into their songs. Original concert posters for the Monterey Pop Festival and Woodstock Festival are worth hundreds of dollars today.
Newspapers
Newspapers from the 1960s covering major events like the assassination of John F. Kennedy, the beginning of the Vietnam War, and the moon landings were cheap at the time but can go for a fortune now. Authentic papers in good condition covering major events can range from under $100 to thousands.
Watches
Sixties models from iconic brands like Rolex, Omega, and Seiko can be highly valuable. Beyond the Dial explains that the first Grand Sieko, launched in December 1960, is usually “around $3000 and up for a good, serviced example.”
Antique Cameras
Canon, Leica, and Rolleiflex are among the camera brands that changed the photography world in the ‘60s. Models like the Canon Demi are celebrated by photography enthusiasts today and can sell for hundreds of dollars if they’re in good working condition.
Sports Memorabilia
The 1960s were an important decade for sports, and Muhammad Ali, Pelé, and Wilt Chamberlain became huge stars. Items from the 1968 Olympics in your grandparents’ basement or loft could be worth a small fortune.
Rock and Roll Memorabilia
Rock music took off and broadened into a wide range of subgenres in the 1960s. Bands like The Beach Boys, The Beatles, and the Rolling Stones played at sold-out concerts and are still loved today, so signed memorabilia from the time can fetch a small fortune at auctions.
First Edition Books
The 1960s were an important decade for books, with celebrated works like Dune, Catch-22, and To Kill a Mockingbird being published. Biblio argues it’s “difficult to overstate the importance of Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, which won the Pulitzer Prize in 1961,” and that first editions today can sell for over $30,000.
Vintage Jewelry
The experimentation, bold expressions, and rejection of the norms of previous decades were reflected in the jewelry of the 1960s. Jewelry from the time can be extravagant and oversized or more minimalist geometric designs inspired by the Space Age, and it is often expensive.
World’s Fair Collectibles
The 1964–1965 New York World’s Fair represented 80 nations, 24 American states, and over 45 corporations, covering half of Flushing Meadows–Corona Park in Queens. Commemorative mugs, coins, and plates from the event are highly sought after on eBay.
Stamp Collections
Your grandparents’ collection from the ‘60s may contain rare limited-issue stamps commemorating events like the moon landing or from countries that no longer exist. Well-kept collections can go for hundreds of dollars on eBay.
Antique Coins
Pennies, dimes, and half-dollar coins from the 1960s in bronze and silver can be highly sought after, especially if they were limited mints. Memorial coins featuring JFK, Abraham Lincoln, and Thomas Jefferson can be fairly valuable.