What once came tucked in a cereal box or Happy Meal now sits behind glass at auctions. The leap from “random promo” to “priceless collectible” is absurd and kind of hilarious. Curious which items went from bargain bin to brag-worthy fortune? Buckle up—it’s a strange ride.
McDonald’s Beanie Babies Bonanza
Back in 1997, Happy Meals weren’t just about nuggets and fries—they came with Ty Warner’s Teenie Beanie Babies. Kids begged for them, parents stood in long lines, and collectors pounced. The Princess Diana Bear, misprinted tags and all, became legendary. Today? Authentic ones can fetch eye-watering prices—sometimes more than $300,000.
Pokemon Snap Station Kiosk Cards
Remember the thrill of Pokemon Snap in 1999? Blockbuster made it even cooler with Snap Stations kiosks where you could print your digital Pokémon photos onto real stickers. Available only in select stores, the cards had distinctive designs and borders that collectors love. Now, PSA 10 GEM MINT versions sell for $724.
Labubu Pop Mart Figure (Store Promotion Blind Box)
Pop Mart’s Labubu figures are collectible vinyl designer toys that came in blind boxes, meaning buyers didn’t know which figure they’d get. Created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung and originally sold at 50 yuan, a mint-green first-generation Labubu fetched 1.08 million yuan ($150,444) in 2025, making it the only known example.
Star Wars Kenner Early Bird Kit
Back in 1977, if you wanted Star Wars toys, you had to wait. Kenner sold an Early Bird Certificate Package, a mail-in promise for action figures that weren’t ready yet. It included four action figures: Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, R2-D2, and Chewbacca. With original packaging and certificates, these kits now sell for around $5,200.
Cabbage Patch Kids Black Friday Frenzy
In 1983, Black Friday wasn’t about flat-screen TVs—it was about parents elbowing through crowds to snag Cabbage Patch Kids, the quirky dolls that came with adoption papers. Everyone crammed overnight, with some also fighting over the limited stock. Today, rare store-exclusive versions are sold between $2,000 and $6,000, keeping the excitement alive among collectors.
Disney VHS Black Diamond Editions
If you grew up rewinding Disney VHS tapes, you might remember the “Black Diamond” logo on the spine. Released between 1984 and 1993, these tapes marked Disney’s first big push into home video. Today, collectors pay serious money, sometimes close to $10,000, for mint-condition editions like “The Little Mermaid.”
Transformers Mail-Away Reflector Set
Remember when toys came in the mail after weeks of waiting? That’s how fans got their hands on the 1985 Transformers Reflector set. Instead of turning into cars or planes, this squad combined into a tiny camera. Rare back then, even rarer now! So, don’t be surprised to see complete sets top $2,000.
Nabisco’s Skybox NBA Cards
In 1993, Nabisco’s Skybox NBA Cards, collectible basketball trading cards featuring stars like Shaquille O’Neal, were hidden in cereal boxes for a limited time. Many cards were damaged by the packaging, while some included rare holographic variants. Today, PSA 10 rookie cards from this series sell for more than $1,000.
Coca-Cola Yo-Yo Promotions
You know those old Coca-Cola yo-yos—spinning toys on a string—from the ’50s? Yes, well, one just sold for $1,100 on eBay. Unbelievable, right? They were just free giveaways back then, but Coke made such a big deal with worldwide contests that they became this huge cultural thing, especially in the Philippines.
Nintendo Power Glove Store Demos
Nintendo’s Power Glove, an early motion-controlled accessory for the Nintendo Entertainment System, appeared in store demos in 1989. Fans received promo gloves and cartridges, but mastering it was tricky. Its appearance in “The Wizard”, a 1989 family film about a video game competition, made it legendary. Few demo units survived, and collectors pay over $3,500.
