Things You'll Need:
- A desire to find the best Barbie Dolls for your collection and have fun while doing so.
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Step 1
When determining what the worth of a Barbie doll is, I would first examine my doll carefully and note how much damage, wear and tear, or defects because damage will decrease the value. If your collectible Barbie Doll has never been removed from the box NRFB) it is worth much more than a Barbie Doll that has. A collectible Barbie Doll that has been altered or restored may seem prettier but is worth less to collectors.
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Step 2
The date on your collectible Barbie Doll's abdomen is not the date it was made it is the date the mold was created. The fewer Barbie Dolls of a specific type that were made means there is greater value. Collector editions of Barbie Dolls are produced in quantities of 35,000 and Limited editions are produced in quantities of less than 35,000. If you have the Barbie Doll's original outfit your Barbie Doll is worth more in the outfit it was wearing when sold. This is also true for accessories. Accessories will increase the value of your Barbie Doll.
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Step 3
Purchase a book that lists current values for Barbie Doll. Find your doll in the book and match the condition to the listings to determine value. When looking through a pricing guide use several guides and get the average price to get a realistic value. Compare your Barbie Dolls with other collectors, collector shows in the area, local stores, auctions, and online searches to get an idea of their value. You may want to get your Barbie Dolls appraised if you are unable to locate them in a collecting guide.
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Step 4
* Barbie Dolls should be items you collect because they appeal to you. This is how the value of your collectible Barbie Doll becomes much less tangible so even if they aren't worth as much to the market, the sentimental worth could make collecting them even more valuable to you!
Comments
xyzmark said
on 3/20/2009 This is some good information. A good place to start before you spend money on an appraiser is www.ValueJockey.com. It is free. I would recommend using the tips from this article and posting a picture up there. Good Luck!!!
phreed83 said
on 1/25/2009 Nice article, thanks for the tip about mold number, not manufacture date.
alienangel555 said
on 1/23/2009 Great info to have. 5
sneedc said
on 12/31/2008 My friend in NJ used to do this, I wonder whether she still has that collection; I will share this info with her. Thanks for the helpful article, telling us how to get Barbie's worth.