Whether it’s a pile of books, old toys or random heirlooms, your attic is likely full of items that you don’t use any more – but you could be sitting on a secret gold mine.
If you’ve spent decades chucking stuff in storage rather than throwing it away or donating it, you might’ve been building a treasure trove of valuable items without knowing it.
From coins to furniture, a new study has revealed the often-forgotten items in your attic that are actually worth a small fortune.
So, if you’re looking to monetise your next clearout, here’s what to look out for.
Rare coins – £11,670
Before you exchange that old jar of change, make sure you go through it for any special coins that collectors would pay a pretty penny for.
Rare 50ps are particularly valuable: according to research from home insurer Homeprotect, they sell for an average price of £11,670 on eBay. In fact, one Benjamin Bunny 50p was recently listed for £20,000 – £19,999.50 more than its legal tender was worth.
Earlier this year, a particularly rare version of a Beatrix Potter 50p coin went up for £25,086.72. A coin’s condition – and whether it has any mistakes – can increase its value, so when the original owner realised that there was a lump of metal poking out of Peter Rabbit’s foot, they knew they could be onto something.
Vintage jewellery – £7,277
Many might choose to hold onto inherited or vintage jewellery for its sentimental value, but if something’s gathering dust, it could be time to let go.
Your late relative may have been happy to see you benefit from the cash, as vintage jewellery pieces tend to fetch £7,277 on average.
One particularly pricey piece – a Platinum Blue Sapphire No Heat Sri Lanka 18K Diamond Ring – recently sold for almost £18,000.
Rings from Tiffany and Co. also tend to pick up a decent sum at auction, with one previously going under the hammer for just over £4,000.
Antique furniture – £6,485
Granted, you’re unlikely to have forgotten about some sizeable pieces of furniture – but you may not know what you have, and there’s good money in antique pieces if you’re willing to do some research.
Mid-century designers are highly sought after, with one set of four chairs from Borge Mogenson cashing out £8,000, while a Robert Mouseman wardrobe fetched close to £6,000. That would look lovely in your savings account, right?
Works from earlier eras also carry value, with 18th-century furniture a particular favourite among collectors. At the start of 2025, one Boulle-style dining set racked up £8,000, and a gorgeous mahogany bookcase took home almost £5,000.
Clocks – £2,671
Before the days of the smartphone, most homes had an actual clock to tell the time with – and many of us are nostalgic for the sound of its ticking.
As a general rule, the older the clock, the tidier the profit – but on average, antique timepieces fetch a generous sum of £2,671.
A unique look or prestigious maker helps too: one Art Nouveau Italian Baroque grandfather clock recently went for nearly £4,000, while a red lacquer longcase clock from Thomas Bell London fetched more than its contemporaries at £3,450.
Vinyl records – £4,000
Hoarding old vinyl up in your loft? You could be sitting on a rare piece of history without even knowing it.
It’s no secret that original pressings from the likes of The Beatles are worth big money, with one gold label vinyl copy of Please Please Me fetching just over £4,000.
That’s not all though. The Velvet Underground & Nico’s iconic collaboration – featuring a yellow banana on the cover designed by none other than Andy Warhol – sold for £6,747, and a rare promo copy of Bob Dylan’s 1966 double album Blonde on Blonde went for just over £3,000.
Released by record companies before the rest of the world has access to them, promo copies are considered especially valuable – and they typically sell for 50% more than a standard pressing.
So, keep your eyes on Discogs for these rare collector’s editions if you want to make an investment.
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