The vintage Barbie dolls that shaped countless hours of your childhood could fetch thousands of dollars today. See if you have one in your collection!
13 Vintage Barbie Dolls That Are Worth a Fortune Today
Updated on Apr. 20, 2025
Bild-Lilli (1955–1964)
Here’s an interesting Barbie fact: This doll isn’t technically a Barbie doll, but she was the inspiration for Ruth Handler, the creator of Barbie, so many collectors view her as a Barbie. Bild-Lilli was made popular by German cartoonist Reinhard Beuthien, who created a comic in the early 1950s based on this sassy, sexy fashionista who knew what she wanted and how to get it. Handler wanted her own daughter, Barbara, to have a doll that inspired her (and other girls) to know they could be anything they wanted to be.
Bild-Lilli dolls were produced from 1955 through 1964, making them pretty rare so many decades later. Auction site eBay currently lists one made in Hong Kong for $1,500.
Barbie (1959)
Barbie made her big debut on March 9, 1959, at the New York Toy Fair to skeptical buyers. After all, little girls loved their life-size baby dolls that they could cuddle and “nurture,” while Barbie was miniature in comparison and not the least bit cuddly. In fact, she was adorned in a black-and-white swimsuit, donned a ponytail and had a Bild-Lilli-esque sideward glance. Still, despite that and some controversy about her figure, Barbie took the toy world by storm and has been incredibly popular ever since.
“Every collector dreams of the day they find her hidden at a garage sale,” says Follett. This Barbie originally cost just $3, but these days, you can expect to shell out more than $10,00 for a mint-in-box (MIB) edition.
Christie (1968)
Collectors consider Christie to be the first real Black Barbie, even though Francie was introduced a few years earlier. The issue? Francie looked exactly the same as “White” Barbie. Christie, on the other hand, had a whole new look.
Still, Francie sells for $1,000 to $5,000, depending on the doll’s condition—quite a bit more than Christie. An NRFB (never removed from box) Christie was recently listed for $599 on eBay.
in honor of paco rabanne’s passing, one of my favorite obscure barbie moments — barbie loves the improvers, 1967
byu/taeyeonriah inBarbie
Barbie Loves The Improvers (1968)
This vintage Barbie doll, who was available as a blonde or a redhead, was part of an Inland Steel gift set promotion, and only a handful of these dolls were ever made. “This doll’s unique outfit is inspired by Inland Steel (a company that made steel-drum containers) and modeled after a Paco Rabanne design,” says Follett. Rabanne was known for his controversial designs made of materials such as metal, plastic and paper.
One of these vintage Barbie dolls sold for $6,000 at auction recently. If you come from a long line of Barbie collectors, we suggest you check your grandmother’s attic pronto!
Imagine midnight tuxedo Barbie at like the New York premiere…omg I could picture a custom Ralph Lauren look remaking this Barbie doll, I liked when she did the Schiaparelli look because no one expected her to wear black pic.twitter.com/X9uw0nphzi
— Eboni🤍 (@VersaceVenus_) July 14, 2023
African-American Midnight Tuxedo Barbie (2001)
This limited-edition Barbie is stunning in a glamorous floor-length gown with a matching faux-fur stole. Who couldn’t imagine her at the Oscars or a posh black-tie gala? She’s one of the Official Barbie Collector’s Club Exclusives, and she’d fetch about $500 MIB.
AKA Centennial Barbie (2008)
“I was a part of the Barbie Collector Advisory Board when collector Kia Jefferson suggested Mattel produce an homage to the AKA sorority centennial,” says Follett. Alpha Kappa Alpha, founded in 1908, was the first sorority for Black women, and for its 100th anniversary in 2008, the AKA Centennial Barbie was created. She sold out quickly, and if you can nab one MIB, it will probably set you back at least $1,000.
Fabergé Imperial Elegance Barbie (1998)
This elegant Barbie is just as stunning as a shiny jewel-encrusted Fabergé egg! Decked out in a lavish satin gown with lattice stitching, jeweled beadwork and a gold lamé petticoat, this 1998 Barbie has probably never seen the inside of a toy box. She is made of porcelain instead of plastic, wears a 22-karat gold-plated tiara on her head and carries a 22-karat gold-plated egg-shaped evening bag (which displays a tiny Swarovski crystal heart). The dress also sparkles with a whopping 175 hand-sewn Swarovski crystals.
Yes, this Barbie is better dressed than we are. She is currently valued at around $400 to $600. Put this exquisite Barbie among the other rare collectibles you’ll see only in the Barbie museum, we say!
Karl Lagerfeld Barbie (2014)
One look at this Barbie, and it’s clear that she was inspired by the famous Chanel creative director and Fendi designer Karl Lagerfeld. Barbie looks positively chic dressed in Lagerfeld’s dapper signature style, with a tailored black jacket, white high-collar shirt with French cuffs, black satin cravat and skinny black jeans. Plus, check out those accessories! She’s got a silver chain, sunglasses, fingerless black gloves, ankle boots and a leather purse with silver metallic accents. This doll even comes packaged in an avant-garde box.
“There were only 999 dolls made, and they sold out quickly,” says Follett. These days, they’re going for more than $5,000 on eBay.
Miss Barbie (1964)
This swimsuit-clad Barbie was another first in Barbie history: She featured bendable legs and eyes that opened and closed—probably so she could close them under water. When she wasn’t wearing her chic pink-fringed swim cap, you could dress her in one of three wigs (blonde, brunette or redhead), which were included. Sadly, she was not very popular, as some people thought she looked scary. Maybe she was the very first Weird Barbie!
It’s extremely rare to find one these vintage Barbie dolls, but if you see her, snap her up. She’s not particularly expensive—eBay prices range from $175 to $350.
Empress Josephine (2005)
Empress Josephine, Napoleon’s first wife, comes dressed to impress her royal subjects in a gown inspired by historic records. She’s so lifelike, you can almost imagine her sauntering along Versailles’s hallowed halls, pausing to gaze out a window overlooking the gardens or to read a steamy love letter from Napoleon. Fittingly, Her Imperial Majesty comes with a jewelry suite of faux-pearl bracelets, earrings and a necklace, though she doesn’t have an extensive royal wardrobe to match. Alas, Empress Josephine is one of the few Barbie dolls whose clothes are not removable. What you see is what you get—and it all rings in at about $600 or more.
Tokidoki Barbie (2011)
This Barbie has a distinct anime style and embodies Tokidoki, the popular Japanese-inspired lifestyle brand whose line includes cartoon characters and art that decorate apparel, footwear, accessories and, of course, this Barbie. The original Tokidoki Barbie (with the pink bob) sold out in hours! “Her tattoos, pink hair and fabulous outfit, and the little green cactus dog, caught collectors’ attention,” says Follett.
If you manage to find her and she catches your heart, be ready to fork over about $300.
Marie Antoinette (2003)
Follett passed on buying the Marie Antoinette Barbie because she just couldn’t get past the “somewhat gaudy” dress, but she regrets that decision. Why? Because this vintage Barbie doll is now selling for around $2,000! Plus, Follett says, “I do love the way the designer captured the essence of the historical figure.” Indeed, Marie is dripping in royal opulence, and with her porcelain-like face, she’s definitely a hands-off, no-play Barbie, intended for collectors only.
Chicago Cubs Barbie (1999)
In 1999, Barbie made it to the big leagues—specifically, the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs. The Chicago Cubs version from July 20, 1999, scores the highest price. When the Cubs, who’d had a famously long World Series losing streak (the first and only wins had been in 1907 and 1908), finally took home the trophy in 2016, Barbie fans who wanted something to commemorate the occasion scooped up Cubs Barbie. She may not be the most popular doll these days, but she’s still a catch on eBay for around $200.
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At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. For this piece on vintage Barbie dolls, Lisa Marie Conklin tapped her experience as a journalist and longtime contributor to Reader’s Digest. We’ve gone the extra step and had Ambrose Martose, a fact-checker with 20-plus years of experience researching for national publications including National Geographic Adventure and Popular Mechanics, verify that all facts and quotes are correct. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- Mattel; fact-checking interview, March 2025
- Britten Follett, Barbie collector and 2005 Mattel Barbie Collector Advisory Panelist; interviewed, 2019
