With Christmas just around the corner, why not snag a last‑minute surprise for that special someone – child, friend, or collector – who already has it all? Below you’ll find the top 10 most jaw‑dropping, wallet‑draining toys that most mortals could never afford.
Top 10 Most Expensive Toys
1. Star Wars Movie Prop
Forget ordinary figures this holiday – a true Star Wars fanatic would drool over the Darth Vader fighting helmet from The Empire Strikes Back. Valued at $115,000, the helmet saw heavy action in the film’s climactic battles and was specially modified to give Olympic fencer Bob Anderson clearer sight while dueling Jedi.
2. Hand‑Held Video Game
The world’s priciest Gameboy is a glittering masterpiece of 18‑karat gold encrusted with diamonds, priced at $25,000. Crafted by Aspreys of London for Swiss Supply, it ships with a luxe case, cables, and a handful of games – a truly golden way to game.
3. PEZ Dispenser
The 1982 World’s Fair Astronaut B PEZ dispenser is a collector’s dream – only two ever made. One version sports a white helmet, the other a green stem. It fetched $32,205 at auction, making it the most expensive PEZ ever sold.
4. Ride‑On Toy
The Junior Off‑Rover is a $40,000 (≈£17,000) mini‑monster that turns any kid into the neighborhood’s envy. Featuring an all‑weather fiberglass body, dual hydraulic disc brakes, rack‑and‑pinion steering, three‑speed transmission, leather‑upholstered seats, and a 30 mph top speed, it’s the ultimate teen‑grade thrill ride.
5. Toy Soldier
The 1963 G.I. Joe prototype, created by Don Levine on a ping‑pong table, fetched $200,000. Standing 11½ inches tall with 21 movable parts and a hand‑stitched sergeant’s uniform, this rare soldier remains the most expensive toy soldier ever sold.
6. Teddy Bear
To celebrate a teddy’s 125th anniversary, a German firm released 125 limited‑edition bears with golden mouths and sapphire‑and‑diamond eyes. Priced at £43,000, the most expensive bear ever sold reached $193,000 at auction.
7. Toy Sewing Machine
This whimsical clown‑adorned toy sewing machine fetched £6,000 at London’s ISMACS auction, ultimately selling for $13,600 after a fierce bidding war between an English industrial dealer and a German millionaire.
8. Toy Gun
The 6 mm Mini‑Gun (M134) air‑soft marvel, complete with a 3,000‑round magazine, has changed hands for over $9,000. Its Gatling‑style firepower can chew through reinforced glass, making it the most potent toy gun on the market.
9. Matchbox Car
The original 1966 Opel Diplomat Matchbox, a sea‑green sedan, now commands $9,000, a stark contrast to its 48‑cent debut price.
10. Barbie
The Diamond Barbie, co‑designed by De Beers, dazzles with a gown studded with 160 diamonds and white‑gold miniature jewelry. The 40th‑anniversary edition sold for £50,000 (≈$85,000), while a mint‑condition 1959 No. 1 Barbie fetches $8,000.