If You Have One of These Rare Barbies, It Could Be Worth More Than $27,000

Ever since Barbie debuted in 1959, collectors have scrambled to get their hands on the iconic doll and her thousands of fashion-forward and inclusive iterations. Barbie’s been bedecked and bedazzled more than any other doll in history (occasionally with real jewels!), and some of most expensive Barbie dolls have fetched tens of thousands of dollars and up—way up.

But the most expensive Barbies are only part of the story. Barbie is a longtime cultural touchstone, giving kids the chance to see themselves through her. Mattel just debuted a Barbie with autism this week, and she’s held a mirror to our changing society since Day 1. Depending on your perspective, the most valuable Barbies may transcend their eventual cash value at auction.

But we’re not gonna lie: It would be pretty darn cool to net some cold, hard cash for a doll. Wondering if you should rummage through the attic to find your Barbie cast-offs? Do it! Sure, the chance of finding a rare Barbie doll is a long shot, but a girl can dream, right? You never know what will end up as a pricey collector’s item—though you’ll definitely have a better idea once you see the list below.

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The most expensive Barbie doll ever sold: Stefano Canturi Barbie

The most expensive Barbie doll will make your jaw drop—just look at that sparkling diamond necklace! Yes, those are real diamonds around her shiny plastic neck. (We’ll get to those specifics in a minute.) Created by Australian jewelry designer Stefano Canturi, this one-of-a-kind Barbie sold at Christie’s auction house in 2010 for an astounding $302,500. If that seems a little excessive, know that the proceeds went to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation—making this a surprisingly feel-good story.

Now, let’s talk about those diamonds. The center stone is a stunning square-cut, 1-carat rare pink diamond that was found in Australia’s Argyle mine, and it’s set in a choker comprised of white diamonds. Plus—because when you’re in, you’re all in—this fancy Barbie is sporting a diamond ring, the perfect little black dress and peep-toe heels. (Naturally.)

The second most expensive Barbie doll: De Beers Barbie

The Stefano Canturi Barbie isn’t the only doll decked out with diamonds. To celebrate Barbie’s 40th anniversary in 1999, De Beers diamond jewelers made a single special-edition Barbie in an evening gown with a bikini top and sheer skirt. If that wasn’t enough, she’s adorned with 160 small diamonds and white-gold accessories.

The De Beers Barbie sold for $85,000 that same year, so the price could be significantly more today if it’s still in mint condition. (Which we would really hope it is!) Sorry, kids—this one is off-limits to little hands.

The third most expensive Barbie doll: Original Barbie

Original Barbie—in her black-and-white strapless one-piece bathing suit, gold hoops and black peep-toe heels—is one of the most iconic Barbies of all time. She holds sunglasses in her hand, and fans will immediately recall Margot Robbie’s stunning recreation in the Barbie movie.

When the OG Barbie was first sold in 1959, she cost just $3, and it’s safe to say she’s gone up in price. In 2006, an unboxed version of this Barbie sold for more than $27,000! Many special-anniversary editions of Original Barbie exist (including the 35th and 50th anniversary versions, which you can find for $100 to $1,500 on sites like Etsy and eBay), but a real Original Barbie is much harder to come by … especially one in mint condition. Another version of this rare Barbie doll—which was in mint condition and came with multiple evening gowns and accessories, though not the iconic bathing suit—sold at auction in 2023 for $48,000.

If this Barbie doll was way before your time, check your grandma’s attic. Of all the Barbies worth money on this list so far, this one’s probably the most attainable.

Other expensive Barbie dolls

While it sure would be nice to find an Original Barbie, you might have better luck with the other sought-after Barbies below. Here’s what they sold for and when.

• Gala Abend Barbie (1965): Sold for $9,148 at Christie’s in 2006.
• Lorraine Schwartz Barbie (2010): Sold for $7,500 at an auction for the Children Affected by AIDS Foundation. Just 12 of these Barbies were made.
• Brunette Ponytail Barbie (1959): Sold for $6,710 on eBay in 2014.
• Karl Lagerfeld Barbie (2014): Sold for $5,275 on eBay in May 2023. They were originally sold on Net-a-Porter for $200 each, and 900 were produced.
• Marie Antoinette Barbie (2003): Sold for $1,250 on eBay in 2016, though prices range from $1,500 to $3,500 today. Fittingly, this Barbie also boasts a diamond necklace.

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Sources:

• People: “Barbie with Autism Makes Her Debut, Comes with a Fidget Spinner and Sensory-Sensitive Clothes”
• Theriault’s: “Barbie #1 Achieves World Record Price at Theriault’s July 31, 2023 Auction in Bellevue”
• Investopedia: “Earnings Beat of the Week: Mattel Reports Surprise Profit Amid Barbie Box Office Hit”
• Artnet News: “Here Are the World’s Most Expensive Barbie Dolls, from Diamond-Encrusted Models to the ‘Holy Grail’ of Toys”
• Money Inc.: “The Five Most Expensive Barbie Dolls in History”