Barbie is one of the most popular toys ever, selling about 1 billion dolls since debuting in 1959. And even though Barbies have been purchased by millions of people from 150 countries, some versions of the doll are more valuable than others.
There are legions of collectors searching the internet and other places for rare editions of the doll. What makes some Barbies more valuable than others are the doll’s unique accessories; the physical condition of the item; variations on Barbie’s career outfits; limited edition dolls; versions found only in some countries; and if the box is unopened.
Collecting rare and valuable Barbies has become more than a cottage industry, so with that in mind, 24/7 Wall St. compiled a list of the most valuable Barbies using the latest available prices.
Click here to see the most valuable Barbies of all time.
No one would have predicted such zealous collecting of the toy back in 1959, when Barbie debuted at the New York Toy Fair. That year, the doll cost $3. Today, a mint condition Barbie from 1959, wearing a black and white bathing suit and clutching sunglasses, can garner more than $20,000 on eBay.
Barbie made an appeal to history aficionados in 2003 by taking a turn as Marie Antoinette and decked out in a flowing gown. That Barbie was being auctioned for as much as $2,000 on eBay. Themes tied to television shows such as “I Love Lucy” also are popular with collectors.
Several one-of-a-kind Barbies have sold for exorbitantly high prices, outshining dolls even on this list. The most expensive version of the doll was sold for $302,500 in 2010. That doll was designed to raise money for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Another doll sold for $85,000 in 1999. As the introduction to designer dolls, that Barbie was clad in a gold bikini top and a belt featuring 160 diamonds.
To identify the 50 most valuable Barbie dolls, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed Barbie dolls currently for sale on eBay. Price data was obtained on March 5, 6, and 7. To be considered, dolls needed to have maintained similar price ranges over that period. The year each Barbie was released came from Mattel. Release dates not listed by the dollmaker were obtained from news archives, collector’s blogs, and other sources. The rare qualities of these dolls were listed on eBay, and often among the key drivers of each doll’s price. We only considered the most expensive doll within a given model. We included identical models only when accessories, certain rare qualities, or the context of a special release meaningfully distinguished duplicates.
Source: thingsbymarie / eBay
50. Midnight Tuxedo Barbie Doll
> Estimated value: $995
> Year released: 2001
> Rare qualities: Never removed from box
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Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
49. Pink Splendor Barbie Doll
> Estimated value: $999
> Year released: 1996
> Rare qualities: Limited Edition
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Source: tahoehuskyrescue / eBay
48. Carol Spencer Holiday Barbie Doll
> Estimated value: $999
> Year released: 1994
> Rare qualities: Prototype
Source: laddy-boy / eBay
47. The Glory of the 80’s Barbie Doll
> Estimated value: $1,000
> Year released: 2017
> Rare qualities: 1 of 100 in existence, never removed from box
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Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
46. Dahlia Barbie Doll
> Estimated value: $1,000
> Year released: 2006
> Rare qualities: Never removed from box
Source: conker_rare / eBay
45. Lucky Charm Ken Doll
> Estimated value: $1,000
> Year released: 2017
> Rare qualities: 1 of 500 in existence, never removed from box
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Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
44. “Sales Resistance!” I Love Lucy Barbie Doll
> Estimated value: $1,050
> Year released: 2004
> Rare qualities: N/A
Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
43. Empress Josephine Barbie Doll
> Estimated value: $1,099
> Year released: 2005
> Rare qualities: Never removed from box
Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
42. Chataine Barbie Doll
> Estimated value: $1,150
> Year released: 2002
> Rare qualities: Limited Edition
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Source: maryi1056 / eBay
41. Debut Silkstone Barbie Doll
> Estimated value: $1,150
> Year released: 2009
> Rare qualities: Exclusive Paris Convention
Source: tinasdolls1993 / eBay
40. La Belle Epoque Barbie Doll
> Estimated value: $1,395
> Year released: 2012
> Rare qualities: Exclusive Paris Convention, signed by Robert Best
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Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
39. Calvin Klein Barbie Doll
> Estimated value: $1,414
> Year released: 1996
> Rare qualities: Good condition
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Source: Pinterest
38. Escada Barbie Doll
> Estimated value: $1,414
> Year released: 1996
> Rare qualities: Limited edition, made in Japan
Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
37. Trace of Lace Barbie Doll
> Estimated value: $1,475
> Year released: 2004
> Rare qualities: Platinum Label
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Source: stumblingdumpling / eBay
36. Coach Barbie Doll
> Estimated value: $1,500
> Year released: 2013
> Rare qualities: Plus 3 genuine coach bags
Source: tahoehuskyrescue / eBay
35. Happy Holidays Barbie Doll
> Estimated value: $1,500
> Year released: 1994
> Rare qualities: Special edition, signed by Ruth Handler
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Source: msmccollectibles1525 / eBay
34. Barbie Doll As Medusa
> Estimated value: $1,500
> Year released: 2008
> Rare qualities: Never removed from box
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Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
33. Faerie Queen Barbie Doll
> Estimated value: $1,500
> Year released: 2004
> Rare qualities: Limited edition, platinum label
Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
32. Summer Daydreams Barbie Doll
> Estimated value: $1,514
> Year released: 1997
> Rare qualities: Never removed from box
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Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
31. Princess of the Korean Court Barbie Doll
> Estimated value: $1,514
> Year released: 2005
> Rare qualities: 25th Anniversary
Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
30. Monique Lhuillier Bride Barbie Doll
> Estimated value: $1,600
> Year released: 2006
> Rare qualities: Signed by Monique Lhuillier
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Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
29. Violette Barbie Doll
> Estimated value: $1,750
> Year released: 2005
> Rare qualities: Platinum Edition
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Source: cristiancitochile / Flickr
28. Sparkle Beach Barbie
> Estimated value: $1,999
> Year released: 1995
> Rare qualities: New in box
Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
27. Marie Antoinette Barbie Doll
> Estimated value: $2,000
> Year released: 2003
> Rare qualities: Gold label, never removed from box
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Source: discountpuzzlesandmore / eBay
26. “I Love Lucy” Starring Lucy as Santa in “The Christmas Show” Barbie Doll
> Estimated value: $2,000
> Year released: 2007
> Rare qualities: Platinum Edition
Source: thingsbymarie / eBay
25. Winter Glamour White Barbie Doll
> Estimated value: $2,000
> Year released: 2006
> Rare qualities: 1 of 15 in existence
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Source: zenspyder / eBay
24. Gold Jubilee Prototype Barbie Doll
> Estimated value: $2,000
> Year released: 1994
> Rare qualities: Sample sticker on box
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Source: zenspyder / eBay
23. Pretty in Plaid BArbie Doll
> Estimated value: $2,000
> Year released: 1998
> Rare qualities: Includes prototype, never removed from box
Source: robsshopofdeals247 / eBay
22. Chicago Cubs Barbie Doll
> Estimated value: $2,000
> Year released: 2000
> Rare qualities: Limited edition, never removed from box
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Source: Bargainmind Products / Amazon
21. Cher Ringmaster Barbie Doll
> Estimated value: $2,000
> Year released: 2007
> Rare qualities:Â Platinum Label, never removed from box
Source: itsakeeper3 / eBay
20. Galleries Lafayette Blonde Barbie Doll
> Estimated value: $2,000
> Year released: 1999
> Rare qualities: Original box
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Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
19. NASCAR Official #94 Barbie Doll
> Estimated value: $2,293
> Year released: 1999
> Rare qualities: Never removed from box
Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
18. Summer Splendor Enchanted Seasons Barbie Doll
> Estimated value: $2,495
> Year released: 1996
> Rare qualities: Limited Edition
Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
17. Designer Dress Barbie Doll
> Estimated value: $2,500
> Year released: 2009
> Rare qualities: Platinum Label, Original box
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Source: rkrul / eBay
16. American Girl Barbie
> Estimated value: $2,500
> Year released: 1966
> Rare qualities: European exclusive, near mint condition
Source: falco-rolan / eBay
15. Walking Jamie Furry Friends Barbie Doll
> Estimated value: $2,500
> Year released: 1970
> Rare qualities: Nearly mint condition
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Source: kellucho / eBay
14. Hair Happenin’s Barbie Doll
> Estimated value: $2,500
> Year released: 1971
> Rare qualities: Never removed from box
Source: carmsadoll / eBay
13. A Date with Barbie in Atlanta Doll
> Estimated value: $2,500
> Year released: 1998
> Rare qualities: White dress, 1 of 25 in existence
Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
12. City Smart Silkstone Barbie Doll
> Estimated value: $2,995
> Year released: 2003
> Rare qualities: 1 of 600 in existence
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Source: jjcoins / eBay
11. Blonde Bubble Cut Barbie Doll
> Estimated value: $2,999
> Year released: 1962
> Rare qualities: N/A
Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
10. Pink Jubilee Barbie Doll
> Estimated value: $3,000
> Year released: 1989
> Rare qualities: Limited Edition, 30th anniversary
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Source: preciouscollectibles4you / eBay
9. Bild Lilli Hausser Barbie Doll
> Estimated value: $3,200
> Year released: 1964
> Rare qualities: Near mint condition
Source: goddessofasia / eBay
8. Career Girl Barbie Doll
> Estimated value: $3,495
> Year released: N/A
> Rare qualities: Japanese exclusive
Source: epicsmile / eBay
7. American Girl Barbie Doll
> Estimated value: $3,500
> Year released: 1966
> Rare qualities: Mint condition, original box
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Source: japan-goods-hunter / eBay
6. Lively Barbie Figure & Fashion Dress-up Doll
> Estimated value: $3,838
> Year released: N/A
> Rare qualities: N/A
Source: thingsbymarie / eBay
5. Aqua Queen of the Prom Barbie Doll
> Estimated value: $5,000
> Year released: 2001
> Rare qualities: 1 of 30 in existence
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Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
4. Karl Lagerfeld Barbie Doll
> Estimated value: $6,000
> Year released: 2014
> Rare qualities: Platinum Label, original shipper box
Source: Courtesy of Barbie / Mattel, Inc.
3. #4 Blonde Barbie Doll
> Estimated value: $8,999
> Year released: 1960
> Rare qualities: Original wrist tag
Source: falco-rolan / eBay
2. Barbie & Major Matt Mason
> Estimated value: $15,000
> Year released: 1967
> Rare qualities: Original store display, “Funny Face” contest
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Source: happyliving7 / eBay
1. #1 Blonde Barbie Doll
> Estimated value: $23,999
> Year released: 1959
> Rare qualities: Collectors Edition, mint condition
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