While the world was changing in the Sixties, the decade was also leaving behind treasures that went on to command huge price tags in the present. These aren’t dusty antiques either—we’re talking about funky gadgets, rare mementos, and iconic pieces tied to cultural milestones that collectors now call jackpots.
Sixties’ Television Sets
Bulky television sets from the Sixties don’t just have nostalgic value since they’re now collectible art pieces. Rare models like the Philco Predicta, with its “futuristic” design, can fetch up to $3,000, as they personify the era’s fascination with innovation and style, which makes them a centerpiece for retro enthusiasts.
Rotary Phones
Dialing took patience in the Sixties, but who knew those clunky rotary phones would become collector favorites? Some rare models in bold colors, like avocado green or sunshine yellow, and quirky designs now sell for $300 or more as a nostalgic reminder of a time before touchscreens dominated daily communication.
Bean Bag Chairs
These soft, squishy seats became the go-to accessory for relaxed living in the Sixties, capturing the counterculture vibe that changed how people decorated their homes. Original pieces with labels from brands like Zanotta can sell for over $1,500 today, as they stand out as emblems of comfort and unconventional design.
Vintage Skateboards
Before tricks and flips ruled skate culture, wooden boards with clay wheels dominated the pavements. Early models by brands like Makaha or Hobie can now be auctioned for $3,000 to celebrate a simpler time while also showcasing the roots of a sport that evolved into a global phenomenon.
Polaroid Cameras
Polaroid cameras revolutionized photography with their ability to instantly capture memories, and collectors are snapping up the originals. Models like the Polaroid 20 or Polaroid 100 Land Camera redefined personal photography and, complete with cases, can sell for between $500 to $1,000.
Lunchboxes
Metal lunchboxes with Sixties TV and movie characters have skyrocketed in value, with classics like “The Beatles” or “Lost in Space” designs going for $2,000 or more, especially if their thermoses are intact. They’re cherished for the nostalgia they bring, tied to childhood memories and cafeteria bragging rights.
Moon Landing Memorabilia
The Apollo 11 moon landing inspired a generation and left behind collectible treasures such as Patches, programs, and commemorative coins. These souvenirs from 1969’s historic event can fetch upwards of $10,000 because they represent humanity’s impossible ambition and the thrilling subsequent realization of it.
Tupperware
Sixties Tupperware might seem like a kitchen relic, but rare colors and sets are in demand, particularly pieces like pastel nesting bowls or the famous “Millionaire Line,” which now sell for hundreds of Dollars. The containers not only symbolize mid-century practicality but also reflect the golden age of domestic innovation.
PEZ Dispensers
PEZ dispensers had taken on the role of being pop culture memorabilia apart from just holding candy. For the same reason, rare Sixties editions like the Santa Claus or astronaut models can fetch up to $1,500. Their quirky designs and limited availability make them treasures for collectors.
8-Track Players
Once the pinnacle of portable music, 8-track players lost out to cassette tapes in the long run and, therefore, are now rare finds. Brands like Panasonic’s “Plunger” model can even sell for around $200 or more, as a reminder of how these bulky devices revolutionized music-on-the-go during the Sixties.
Cereal Box Prizes
Sixties cereal boxes held hidden treasures along with beloved breakfasts. Treasures like miniature toys or mail-in offers like the Jetsons’ flying cars now sell for $200 or more, especially if unopened. Those trinkets highlighted the creative marketing that not only turned breakfast into an adventure for kids but also surreptitiously tricked them into consuming milk.
Surfboards
The surf was truly up in the sixties since surf culture surged in the decade, and boards from its legends like Hobie or Dewey Weber now sell for $5,000 or more. These relics capture the spirit of California cool and the birth of a global lifestyle with their craftsmanship and history, which makes them coveted by collectors.
Space Age Clocks
An obsession with space extended in the Sixties to home decor and adorned interior walls. Clocks of this type with atomic or starburst designs can now bring in $2,000 or more, as their bold designs weren’t just functional but reflected a decade captivated by the Space Race and inspired futuristic aesthetics that remain iconic.
Beatnik Beads
Fashion in the Sixties embraced counterculture, and accessories like Beatnik beads defined its fashion aesthetics. Original strands of glass or wooden beads now sell for hundreds and can be seen worn at protests. They symbolize the era’s free-spirited, artistic rebellion that is making a gradual comeback in these tumultuous times.
Sixties’ Cameras
Classic cameras from brands like Leica or Nikon, especially rare models, fetch thousands today for representing an era when film ruled photography. The precise mechanical and optical engineering and timeless appeal of these analog masterpieces continue to captivate modern enthusiasts and collectors.
Electric Guitars
It is not surprising that the instrument that defined the era’s sound is featured on this list. Sixties’ electric guitars from makers like Fender or Gibson are music to collectors’ ears, with examples like a 1962 Fender Stratocaster selling for over $20,000. These instruments not only shaped rock history but also continue to resonate with musicians and collectors.
Cocktail Shakers
Sixties cocktail shakers with unique designs, like rocket shapes or glass with gold accents, are raising the bar in auctions, with pristine sets fetching $1,000 on the regular. They reflect a glamorous and more optimistic era of home entertaining, where mixology was enhanced with the application of artful design.
Countertop Transistor Radios
Portable transistor radios ruled the Sixties kitchens and living rooms, and models from brands like Zenith or RCA, especially in bold colors, now fetch $300 to $1,000. As technological marvels of their time, these radios transformed how families accessed music and news and brought entertainment into every corner of the home.
Hippie Van Models
These tiny replicas of the iconic VW Bus, also known as the “Hippie Van,” capture the spirit of freedom, counterculture, and road-trip dreams that defined a generation in the Sixties. Well-preserved originals are now collector favorites, fetching prices between $500 and $1,500.
Peace Sign Jewelry
Peace sign necklaces, bracelets, and rings from the Sixties defined the look and the ethos of the decade and are now hot-ticket items at auctions. Authentic pieces in sterling silver or gold can command prices of $1,000 or more as cherished reminders of the decade’s powerful movements for love, peace, and change.
