“A lot of [the people whose stories we tell] are not trained professionals," Wolfe tells Parade. "They're not antique dealers. They’re not seasoned in the art of finding that gold nugget. Most of these people are buying something because it appeals to them visually. Then they tuck it away, and then they go back to it and they're like, ‘Does this have value?’”
While the average person probably isn’t unknowingly storing a long-lost Da Vinci painting bought for less than $100 that later sells for half a billion—another highlight from the eight-episode season—they might very well have a discarded hand-me-down that’s worth way more than they realize.
'American Pickers' star Mike Wolfe brings his love of treasure-hunting to the new History Channel series 'History's Greatest Picks.'H
To help separate trash from potential treasure, Parade asked Wolfe about seven everyday items that could secretly be worth a lot more than you think. Keep reading to see if your basement is hiding more than just spiders.
7 Items in Your Basement or Garage That Could Secretly Be Worth Money
Those 1930s Lee jeans your grandmother passed down? They could be worth as much as $50,000, Wolfe advises. He recently sold a pair for that much himself.
While more recent pieces may not fetch quite that much money, Wolfe stresses that vintage clothing in general is "the hottest it’s ever been"—with '80s items from heritage brands like Levi’s, Patagonia, Carhartt and North Face all pulling top dollar.
Add disposable income and the influence of pop culture juggernauts like Stranger Things to the mix and suddenly a Reagan-era tote bag from L.L. Bean could be worth about $600 (by Wolfe’s estimate).
2. Old Electronics
According to Wolfe, old stereo components from early audio manufacturers like McIntosh and Bozak are in demand right now, thanks in part to the ongoing resurgence of vinyl.
The demand is so high, in fact, that repair specialists are now popping back up to service decades-old equipment. Wolfe says he has a guy in Nashville fixing turntables and vintage speakers—the sort of help he couldn’t find 10 years ago.
As vintage stereo equipment surges in popularity, the media that goes with it is making a comeback, too. Old cassette tapes, CDs and, relatedly, DVDs are finding new audiences as collectors rediscover the players that use them.
“That stuff we used to throw away 10 years ago or scrap because it was ‘worth nothing’? All of that's hot right now,” he says. “You walk into a record store, they got tons of cassettes, tons of CDs, DVDs.”
4. Coin-Operated Machines: Jukeboxes, Slot Machines, Pinball
If there’s an abandoned jukebox in a relative’s garage, don’t assume it’s decorative junk.
Machines from the late ’50s and ’60s—the era of 45 records—are particularly desirable because they’re more “refined” and practical to use “so you're going to have less problems with them.”
Antique advertising signs are a goldmine for pickers because they combine nostalgia, bold graphic design and brand history. Porcelain and tin signs from the early 20th century—especially those promoting gas stations, soda brands, farm equipment or tobacco—were made to withstand the elements, so surviving examples in good condition are increasingly rare.
“We think about gas and pulling up to the gas station now, and we're at BP and we're at Shell,” he continues. “But back then—in the teens and the twenties—there were tiny refineries that were marketing themselves in such interesting ways and with such beautiful graphics.”
He says that local store signs can be a draw, too. "It's early history, it's community history,” he shares.
“This sign melts my face off,” he says. “It's the most amazing thing that I have hanging in here and I've got a lot of badass stuff hanging in there.”
6. Mid-Century Furniture
Unlike much of today’s mass-produced furniture, many pieces made between the 1940s and 1960s were built to last—crafted from high-quality materials like teak, walnut and rosewood. In fact, Wolfe says that the demand for authentic mid-century design is so strong in the U.S. that dealers in Europe are shipping pieces stateside to help meet it.
7. Throwback Toys and Old Bicycles
Original action figures, tin toys and early board games often become worth far more if they’re in good condition, especially in their original packaging. "Sometimes the box could be worth more than the toy,” Wolfe tells Parade. “Because the toy's [often] around, but the box is never around. Have you ever seen a kid open a toy? I mean, they don't gingerly open the box.”
Old bicycles—particularly early 20th-century models or mid-century Schwinns—are also highly sought after. Collectors look for original paint, decals and parts, and certain balloon-tire or cruiser styles can sell for thousands.
Next: Is 'American Pickers' Ending? Everything to Know About the History Channel Show's Future
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