- - 10 Vintage Barbie Dolls That Are Worth a Small Fortune

Laura Gesualdi-GilmoreFebruary 11, 2026 at 10:35 PM

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Selling vintage toys could be a great way to make extra money, particularly if you have some rare items and tend to keep your collectables in tip-top shape. When it comes to Barbies, there are certain vintage dolls that could net you a small fortune (or, in the case of the original 1959 Barbie, a fairly large fortune). However, it's important to know what to look for to price these decades-old dolls correctly.

These 10 vintage Barbie dolls could net you some serious cash on the resale market.

Editor's note: Estimated market values were sourced from eBay.

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1. Original 1959 Barbie

Estimated market value: $20,000

Let's start with the queen: the original 1959 Barbie. You've certainly seen replicas of Barbie #1, the first Barbie ever produced back in 1959. The doll has a ponytail and a black and white striped swimsuit. Collectors identify the doll by holes in her feet meant to connect to her pegged stand.

If you have Barbie #2, which looks similar but does not have foot holes, you could be looking at a small fortune as well. But #1 takes the cake, with a doll and her original box currently listed on eBay for nearly $20,000.

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2. Francie Barbie (no bangs)

Estimated market value: $5,000

If you have any vintage "Francie" Barbies, which were released in the 1960s and '70s and influenced by the "mod" style of the era, you could be looking at a decent payday. A Francie Barbie from 1971 with no bangs is particularly valuable to collectors, with a never-opened version listed on eBay for $5,000.

3. Millennium Princess Barbie

Estimated market value: $4,000

To mark the coming new millennium in 1999, Mattel released the Millennium Princess Barbie, complete with a velvet ball gown, a tiara, and a sparkling "Millennium Keepsake" ornament.

The dolls in their original boxes have been known to sell for thousands of dollars, with one in excellent condition currently listed on eBay for $4,000.

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4. Color Magic Barbie

Estimated market value: $1,800

Another 1960s rarity, the Color Magic Barbie came with a solution that let you change the doll's hair color. Even dolls out of their boxes, with pre-dyed hair, could be worth a few hundred dollars on the resale market. And a Color Magic Barbie in its original box could be worth thousands. There is one currently listed on eBay for $1,800.

5. Karl Lagerfeld Barbie

Estimated market value: $4,300

A Barbie meant to resemble late fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld was released as a limited edition back in 2014. It's not quite as vintage as other dolls on this list, but the Barbie, complete with Lagerfeld's famed grey hair, black sunglasses, and tailored suit, is regularly listed for several thousand dollars on eBay.

A Lagerfeld Barbie in excellent condition is listed for more than $4,300, and never-opened versions are listed for $10,000 or more.

6. American Girl Barbie

Estimated market value: $665

In the mid-60s, Mattel released a new version of Barbie that had bendable legs, which became colloquially known as the "American Girl" Barbie. These dolls had fashionable bobbed hairstyles and bold makeup.

Like any vintage doll, how much you could make on an American Girl Barbie depends on the condition, but a brand-new version is currently listed on eBay for more than $600.

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7. Marie Antoinette Barbie

Estimated market value: $1,500

The Marie Antoinette Barbie, released in 2003 and dressed from head to toe in regal garb inspired by the 18th-century French queen, could net you quite a royal fortune if you have a mint-condition version.

A never-opened version, in its original lavish white box, is currently listed on eBay for nearly $1,500.

8. Cher Barbie

Estimated market value: $300

The Cher Barbie, released in 2007, pays homage to the iconic singer's world-famous style. The flashy doll is dressed in a Native American-inspired costume and headdress by Bob Mackie and is a hot item for collectors and fans alike. Even the doll's box is glittering and glamorous.

How much you could net for a Cher doll depends on the condition, but they tend to be listed on eBay for at least a few hundred dollars.

9. Bubblecut Barbie with side part

Estimated market value: $350

Bubblecut Barbies, so named for their poofy hairstyles, were released in the 1960s. While the dolls themselves are not particularly rare, a version that has a side part in its bubblecut is.

These dolls are considered quite valuable to collectors and could be worth several hundred dollars.

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10. Teen Talk Barbie

Estimated market value: $50

She may not be worth a fortune, but the "Teen Talk" Barbie, which was released in the early 1990s, could net you some decent cash depending on which version you have. These Barbies could talk, with each doll equipped with the ability to use four different phrases.

There was a bit of controversy surrounding the dolls when they were released as some considered the phrases stereotypical and even sexist, which likely plays a role in their retained value today.

Bottom line

If you were once a Barbie collector or a parent to one, reselling vintage dolls could be a simple way to make extra money on the side. However, keep in mind that most Barbies are not worth much, especially those that have already been played with.

If you have any special releases or dolls that you believe had limited runs, check resale sites like eBay or Marl & B to get a better idea of what they might be worth.

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