What is my toy collection worth?

How do I know if my old toys are worth anything?

Most of us have a box of old toys somewhere: an Action Man missing a leg, a Barbie with a doubtful haircut, Lego bricks that turn up underfoot. Those toys may be worth more than the memories.

So how do you tell? Here is what to look out for.

Popular makers and lines

Any old toy can be exciting, but some makers and lines keep attracting collectors. Knowing these names helps you spot a piece that matters.

Vintage Star Wars figures. The original Kenner figures from 1977 to 1985 are the ones to look for. Mint on Card (MOC) figures, which are still sealed on their original card, and early production runs are especially wanted. The character and any foreign variations also make a difference.

Vintage Lego. Not all old Lego is equal. The most valuable sets tend to be complete, classic themed sets such as Space or Castle, with the original boxes and minifigures. Rare sets include promotional items and those with unusual pieces. Before you send old Lego, make sure all the pieces are there.

Corgi, Dinky and Matchbox cars. These small die-cast vehicles, made by pouring metal into a mould, are very collectable, and condition matters a great deal. Perfect cars with their original boxes are the most wanted. Look for particular models, rare variations and promotional issues.

Vintage Barbie. Early Barbie dolls, especially from the 1960s and 70s, are wanted. What counts is the original face paint, a hairstyle still in good order and, above all, the original outfit and accessories. Limited editions and boxed dolls are also sought after.

Action Man and Sindy. These figures from the 1960s to the 1980s still appeal to collectors. Original Palitoy Action Man figures with intact features and accessories are prized, especially boxed. Early Pedigree Sindy dolls and complete, rare outfits are the most wanted.

Pokémon cards and early toys. First edition Pokémon cards, especially holographic ones from the original sets, and sealed products are the most coveted. Genuine, well-kept items matter when you send old Pokémon cards or toys.

Pristine or played with?

Collectors dream of toys that are boxed and untouched. Most of us played with ours.

Do not worry if yours are scruffy or missing a limb. Some collectors are happy to restore items themselves, especially rare ones. Even the packaging alone can interest people. Resist the urge to tidy old toys up. Scrubbing or repainting can do more harm than good.

Rare, or just old?

Not every old toy is valuable, but some are more sought after than others. Look out for first editions and early releases, limited-run or promotional items, and toys with production errors. A strange misprint could matter.

The scarcer the item, or the more it means to collectors, the more it is likely to be worth.

Letting a valuer look

If you are still not sure whether your toys are something special, that is where we come in. We have seen everything from much-loved teddies to tidy die-cast collections.

Put your toys in a box, along with anything else you want to clear out, and post it to us on a free label. We make one offer for the whole box within seven days of arrival. There are no auctions to deal with. We hold your offer for 14 days. Your offer tells you the date. If you need longer, just ask. Say yes on a working day and we send your payment the same day, once we have your details.

Often, where there is one collection there is another. The loft or garage that holds your old toys might also hold video games, a forgotten film camera or old coins from a childhood collection. You can put them all in the same box for one offer.