Note: The prices used in this article were derived from various auction, collectible, and online retailer websites available to the author as of October 2018. These prices (USD) are subject to change and will vary greatly between sites.

I have always been utterly and completely obsessed with Barbies. I had a literal treasure chest filled with dolls (in varying states of undress) in my childhood bedroom which was locked before bed every night- to protect me from the Barbie uprising, of course. There was not a single time in which I was taken to a store that I did not search for any sign of a Barbie isle. I could identify a boxed Barbie while wrapped just by feeling the textures through the festive paper.

From my birth until the ripe old age of twelve, I dedicated every waking moment available to me to creating stories, worlds, and recreating my favorite films with these plastic friends. My mother told me that I would outgrow them one day and I brushed her words off as insanity. Well, jokes on her as I am 23-years-old and still have a small collection of dolls in my bedroom. Imagine if I had known that my childhood toy chest had been filled with actual treasure. Barbies can run pretty pricey even when brand new. But what if I were to tell everyone reading this article that those scantily clad dolls gathering dust in your mother's attic could be worth a literal fortune?

25 Totally Hair Barbie (1992/160$)

I, unfortunately, never had a Totally Hair Barbie (and for that price, I most certainly never will). When initially released, this Barbie was a total hit. This Barbie came with nearly double the standard doll hair length for your playing pleasure as well as several unique hair accessories which could be used to style those Rapunzel-esque locks.

Everything about this Barbie just simply screams “the early 90s.”

So, it’s not hard to see why stylish young girls, who looked up to the fashionable women they saw in magazines, would want to get their hands on this Barbie.

24 Happily Family Set (2002/185$)

The Happy Family Barbie line was one of the coolest releases in Barbie history. This expansive set included grandparents, a young single mother who acted as a neighbor to the main dolls, a pregnant woman, as well as a young couple with two small children engaging in various activities (each sold separately, because of course they were). Each doll set was released in multiple ethnicities and the set (in its entirety) was one of the most popular product runs in Barbie history. However, despite its popularity, the set was short lived and quickly became coveted collector's items.

23 My Size Barbie (1992/220$)

I would have done anything as a small child (heck, even now) to get my hands on a My Size Barbie. Honestly, finding a Barbie that stood at five feet and eight and a half inches tall would be impressive in and of itself… also slightly creepy. But I digress. For years, children had wished that Barbie was life size so that they could share each other's clothes and, thanks to this gigantic toy, their little dreams came true. The My Size line released several different dolls during its run; however, the original doll still fetches the highest price online.

22 Pink And Pretty Modelling Barbie (80s/250$)

Pink & Pretty Barbie was just a Barbie, like many others. Just a standard Barbie. No limited release. No special items. No priceless gemstones. She was just a doll. But people loved her and when money speaks, people listen. This doll was a star in her prime and that star just keeps on shining as this everyday doll has climbed her way right into the ranks of the most coveted of the Barbie collector's items (not including limited releases nor dolls from the elite Platinum series).

21 Peaches And Cream Barbie (1985/250$)

Have you ever seen something so delightfully and truly “80s” in your entire life? Look at that hair. Imagine the amount of tiny Aqua Net cans that it took to perfect that elegant and volumized look. Everything from the top of her head to the tip of her toes just screams “1985” and it's that wonderful mix of nostalgia coupled with her fancier status as a “World of Fashion” doll that made Peaches n’ Cream Barbie a collector's item, and a pricey one to boot.

20 Feelin' Groovy Barbie (80s/280$)

Now, you can tell that a Barbie is a special ticket item when its hair is being held in place by a small plastic band like shown in the above photo. Feelin’ Groovy Barbie appealed to the inner party girl that existed within each child who was raised on pop culture in the 80s and early 90s. This is the kind of doll that you’d play with while rocking out to some Madonna or Cyndi Lauper. Her unique and dated look coupled with nostalgia made her the perfect candidate for collector status.

19 Dream Glow Barbie (80s/400$)

Say what you want about their current $400 price tag but these dolls literally glow in the dark. Is there anything cooler than things that have the ability to glow in the dark? If I could, I would cover each and every inch of the walls and floors in my apartment with glow-in-the-dark paint. Honestly, I find myself questioning the prices of some of the other items on this list and the motives of someone who can justify paying such insane prices for a toy but I would sell my first born in order to get my hands on toys that glowed.

18 Rollerblade Surf And Snack Shop Barbie Set (80s/460$)

You know, it takes a strong person to admit that they were wrong. Good thing I am nearly herculean when it comes to this sort of thing. I was wrong. This is clearly the most “80s” collection of dolls to have ever existed. Everything from their rollerskates to their overstyled bangs is so reminiscent of this beloved decade that I find myself wanting to scour Amazon for a pair of legwarmers to call my own. Though this price is pretty high for a standard issue Barbie lifestyle set, I truly believe that that hot dog shaped stand more than makes up for it.

17 Happy Holiday Barbie (1988/500$)

What a way to end the three-digit prices on our list. Now, it is important to mention that the Holiday Barbies are special edition dolls which are sold at a higher price when released than traditional everyday dolls. In fact, my grandmother owned one of these coveted little darlings and she was kept in a sealed box on a shelf so high that none of our grubby little hands could ever reach it. However, this little gal and her mile-wide red tulle dress found herself being declared a fan favorite and her new price reflects that adoration.

16 I Love Lucy Doll (2004/1050$)

Now, it is important to note that there is a bit of a debate in the online doll collecting community (I know, I am riveted by the developments as well) surrounding the price of this particular piece. Some sites have her listed for as low as eighty dollars (though these dolls are usually removed from their package). Though other sites have her listed in the thousands (as we have here). This doll was part of a collectors set (which were released at a higher price) from Mattel made to honor Lucille Ball and her beloved show.

15 Debut Silkstone Barbie ( 2009/1150$)

Now, doesn’t this doll just look fancy? This darling beauty was one of the first dolls released during a run of revival dolls from Barbie's early days. This line was modeled to look like the original dolls which were released in the 60s; though it is worth noting that they were updated to appeal to modern beauty standards while still maintaining that iconic look. Though these dolls were sold for a higher price than your average doll, their unique features have made each and every doll from the initial release of this run a valuable collector's item.

14 Teen Talk Barbie (90s/1200$)

I am excited to talk about this doll. Apparently, the dolls belonging to this collection were met with some backlash when originally released. This doll was modeled after the average American teen girl and was programmed to spout off 4 iconic teen phrases including one about the difficulties of high school level mathematics. Parents did not like this as they felt like this would discourage girls from pursuing careers involving science and/or mathematics. Though that controversy might have just added fuel to the fire and turned this nostalgic plaything into a pricey collector's item.

13 Marie Antionette Barbie (2003/1250$)

How surprised would you be if I were to tell you that this gaudy and ostentatious lady is not the most outrageously ornate doll on this list? Modeled after the infamous Marie Antoinette, this toy is definitely not a child's plaything. I highly doubt that any parent would be willing to shell out the big bucks just so that their sticky toddler could chew on its head until it pops off and becomes a choking hazard. Fun fact: one month's rent for the apartments in my neighborhood go for roughly the same price as this doll.

12 Vintage Twist And Turn Barbie (1966/ 1795$)

Now, this might be my favorite doll on this entire list. Look at her innocent and angelic little face. Look at those big blue eyes and that adorable bow atop her head. Look at those bangs and that delightful baby doll dress. She is an absolute 1960s dream. She is everything I crave to be. But I don’t know if I would be willing to shell out nearly 2k in order to call her mine. I don’t mean to judge those who fancy collecting these lovely ladies. If you can afford it, have at ‘er.

11 Sparkle Beach Barbie (1995/2000$)

I wonder if these collectors wish that they had a time machine. They could travel back to the time and score a trunk load full for rock bottom prices. After which, they could return to the future and sell their bounty. Unlike some of the pricier dolls on this list, the Sparkle Beach Barbie was neither a limited run nor a special edition doll. She was just a standard edition doll which could be easily found at your local big box store. But that didn’t hold her back. She worked her tail off to be considered one of the most coveted standard release dolls of the 90s.

10 NASCAR Barbie (1999/2293$)

I finally find a doll that looks like me and she costs more money than I have had to my name in my entire life. I have spent 20 or so years looking for a doll with my hair/skin/eye color combination as well as a face as sweet (and humble) as mine and have consistently failed in my mission. But now, I finally find her. And she is so out of my league. Fun fact: this doll is an officially licensed NASCAR product and one of the first NASCAR dolls ever released.

9 Walking Jamie Furry Friends Barbie (1970/2500$)

I have to say it: I miss the fashion of the 1960s. Though I was not alive to witness it first hand, I find myself completely and utterly fascinated by the shapes, colors, and patterns. Everything is so bright, sweet, and delicate looking. This fashionable female comes with a pet pooch that she could take for little walks around the dream house during play time. Sadly, she does not come with little doggy doo-doos like the more modern versions of this set.

8 Blonde Bubble Cut Barbie (1963/2999$)

The ways in which Barbie has changed throughout the years to reflect the ever-changing Western beauty ideals has always completely and utterly fascinated me. I mean, take this swimsuit wearing collector’s item for example. Everything about her, from her blue shadow to her bubble cut, reflects the ideals of the time at which she was released. This original release doll fetches a pretty penny and, in all honesty, if I still looked that good after half of a century, I would hope that I would be deemed a special collector’s item as well.

7 Pink Jubilee Barbie (1989/3000$)

It is important to note the circumstances surrounding the Pink Jubilee Barbie’s high price. Unlike many of the other more modestly priced dolls on this list, this doll was part of a special edition limited release of dolls that were given out for free to those who attended the anniversary event in New York. What that basically means is that there were only a certain number of these lovely ladies released into the world and, as their numbers dwindle, the asking price for unboxed and pristine dolls will continue to rise as time progresses.

6 American Girl Barbie (1966/3500$)

The advent of posable Barbies must have been one the most groundbreaking and game-changing inventions in the Barbie world. Imagine suddenly gaining the ability to pose these once stiff and immovable objects. That would have blown my little mind had I been a child at the time. The American Girl Barbie was one of the first Barbie dolls to be released with this wonderful ability, which could be the cause for this steep asking price. Though that stylish bob and striped suit isn’t something to be ignored. I would pay good money for a doll with a good bob.