Value can be found in the most unlikely places, and people hold onto items for countless reasons—sentimental, historical, or for potential future investment. Today, however, we’ll explore a few items that aren’t particularly valuable—at least not to most people.
As dealers, we often hear the hopeful claim: “This has gotta be worth something!” Yet, many appraisers sigh in resignation when greeted by a steel penny or an old sewing machine, mistakenly presented as priceless relics. The truth is, a plethora of “almost-valuable” items simply miss the mark.
Let’s kick things off with the 1943 steel penny—considered by many to be America’s most overrated coin. Although people hoard them, they’re largely worthless. And those vintage sewing machines? Only a tiny fraction holds any value. They may look charming on Pinterest, but unless it’s labeled “Featherweight,” it’s probably only worth a lunch.
Timex watches have earned their stripes for longevity, but unless you’ve unearthed a rare 1970s James Bond edition (which you likely have not), they’re merely nostalgic artifacts.
Then we have dark wood furniture and cow paintings—once the crown jewels of formal dining rooms. In today’s market, they’d be shockingly unwanted. If it’s heavy, brown, and vaguely colonial, you’re likely out of luck—unless it happens to be a work of the renowned Tampa Bay resident George Inness or some famous western artist. Can you imagine a mid-century modern home with a brown moo-cow staring down at an Eames chair?
Let’s also consider some legends of faux value:
- Commemorative plates (spoiler alert: no one wants a porcelain JFK keeping watch over their pancakes).
- Hummel figurines (yes, even that one Aunt Edna cherished).
- Mass-produced “limited edition” items (News flash: if it claims to be limited, it probably isn’t).
- And of course, cruise ship art—it may be sellable, but typically at a fraction of its original price (research cruise ship art fraud for a fun detour).
In short, just because something is old, charming, or once treasured by Grandma doesn’t guarantee its value. But hey, sentimental value? That’s priceless—just not in cash.
