People often purchase collectibles with the hope they will increase in value. But, as with any speculative investing, putting your money into vintage toys, collectible cards, figurines or classic vehicles carries a risk of loss.
If you have any of the following popular collectibles, you might want to consider selling them now. Some experts predict that these collectibles will plummet in price by the end of this year.
In contrast, here are some collectibles expected to soar within the next few years.
Trending Now: 6 Popular Collectibles That Have Skyrocketed in Value
See More: 3 Things You Must Do When Your Savings Reach $50,000
Trending Now: Suze Orman’s Secret to a Wealthy Retirement–Have You Made This Money Move?
Kenner Star Wars Action Figures
Some sources states that Star Wars action figures by Kenner from the 1970s and 1980s may decrease in value as Gen Xers seeking to clear clutter try to sell these toys from their childhood.
Plus, the website JediTempleArchives.com analyzed viewer data for the Hasbro Pulse livestreams of its most popular properties. Star Wars lagged behind Marvel, Transformers and even G.I. Joe.
For You: 8 Rare Coins Worth Thousands That Are Highly Coveted by Coin Collectors
The younger generation doesn’t have as much interest in Star Wars. And for fans of the series, today’s action figures depicting the science fiction classic are much better looking. “Loose stuff won’t have any appeal to younger generations,” said user Seroquel in the Rebelscum.com forum. “It’s a lot easier to just dump a big collection of sticky old action figures in the dumpster than trying to sell them on eBay.”
Of course, some exceptions exist, including one-off, mint condition collectibles and high-value items, according to an article on BBC.com.
Classic Cars from the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s
“Classic car values, you generally expect them to keep going up,” said Shahzad Sheikh, known as the Brown Car Guy, in a YouTube video. However, he pointed to a Hagerty report spotlighting several muscle cars from the ’60s and ’70s dropping in value by 15% or more.
Further insights appeared in the user comments, where Suddenlyits1960 commented, “The people who collected 50’s and 60’s cars are aging out of the hobby and divesting themselves of their collections.”
“The cars we coveted as kids, are the ones we buy. Gen X and Millennials don’t covet 1967 Corvettes,” Orcinus1967 added. “Also, there have been a lot of cars coming out of collections. People are dying or cashing in. The relatives of the people who die can’t afford to keep them and in the US, the older people who own them are moving to small retirement communities down south.”
Hummel Figurines
Readers of a certain age may remember a curio cabinet filled with cute porcelain Hummel figurines in their childhood home. If you inherited these figures and are hoping to cash in on those childhood memories, you might want to consider a different wealth-building plan.
As boomers and Gen Xers clear clutter from their homes, the resale market is flooded with these figures, according to the Great Expectations Auctions & Estate Services blog. “Younger generations have little interest in buying them,” according to the post. “Most used Hummels now sell for no more than $75 in shops, with prices likely to continue to fall as more Hummels reach the market.”
Likewise, Precious Moments figures have also plummeted in price for the same reasons.
Franklin Mint Collectibles
If you or your parents ever fell for those commercials advertising limited edition plates, coins, medals and “unique gifts” from the Franklin Mint or Danbury Mint, you aren’t likely to make back your investment. “Anyone who wants a Franklin Mint product usually buys it from the company when it is being heavily advertised,” according to the Great Expectations blog.
Most of these collectibles are only worth as much as the meltdown value of the precious metal they are made from.
To Hold or Not To Hold Onto
Of course, just because experts think a specific category of collectible may decline in price doesn’t mean it has no value for the owner. If you’re holding onto items for sentimental reasons, make sure they are properly displayed or stored to avoid damage over time.
For pricey collections, speak to an insurance agent about the appropriate coverage levels. In a natural disaster or other emergency, you may not be able to protect the memories your collection holds, but you can try to reclaim your financial investment.
More From GOBankingRates
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 5 Popular Collectibles Expected To Plummet in Value Before the End of 2025