Collectibles have been popular for generations. They capture the life or spirit of an era and reflect cultural interests. People can collect anything from trading cards to limited edition albums, and the evolution of collectibles shows how trends adapt to the changes of each generation.
The 1990s marked a huge turning point for collectibles with the rise and increase of Pokemon cards. Originally launched in Japan, the card game became widely popular around the world. Children and teenagers started to collect these cards and hoped to find the rarest of them, the 1999 Charizard. This card, in mint condition, is worth around $450,000 today. Beyond the game itself, the introduction of Pokemon cards became the foundation of collecting toys or games from cards to action figures.
Before Pokemon cards were introduced, collectibles were not a popular hobby in many parts of the world. In the 1980s, kids were drawn to Garbage Pail Kids trading cards, Star Wars action figures and G.I. Joe. These items were more like toys or something to play with. The design and the quality of the Star Wars were much ahead of its time. Star Wars action figures were the first to release limited edition action figures. Some people bought them and kept them in good condition, hoping their value would increase over time, and they did. In 2014, a man bought a San Diego Comic-Con exclusive Freddy funk Joker for $600. Today, the same funko pop is worth around $15,000. Each new different type of collectibles highlighted not only consumer interests but also how media shaped childhood experiences.
Funko Pop Vinyl figures have become extremely popular in more recent times. Known for their oversized heads and wide range of designs, these figures appeal not just to children, but to people of all ages. Funko Pops range from superheroes to television characters, and collectors like to visually display their fandom. Unlike trading cards, which are mainly used for games, Funko Pops emphasize identity and display as many collectors decorate their rooms with Funko Pops of the characters they like.
In recent times, people have begun to collect limited edition sneakers, gaming consoles, cell phones, cars and other items. Because of the internet, people collect Non Fungible Tokens (NFT) which go from cryptocurrency, to other different digital tokens.
Despite all these evolutions, the idea of collectibles remains the same: collecting rare items with the hope that their value increases over time. However, whether you make money or not, collecting can still be a fun hobby.
