(WJW/NEXSTAR) — Thinking about getting rid of those collectible “Precious Moments” figurines taking up space on your shelf? Reports suggest that some of them could be worth thousands of dollars.
You’ve likely seen a Precious Moments figurine or two in your life. From its religious figurines to its holiday line and Disney products, more than 2,500 different figurines have been produced since the company began in 1978.
That year, the company, then operating as Jonathan & David, released what is now known as the “Original 21” figurines, according to the Precious Moments website.
Today, only one figurine from the original collection is still being produced: “Love One Another,” which features two porcelain children with the figurines’ classic teardrop-shaped eyes sitting together on a tree stump. This particular figurine can still be purchased from the company online.
A collection of “Precious Moments” figurines on display. (Getty Images)
The other 20 have since been retired (though some may still be available at the company’s Archive Shoppe in Missouri), and, according to a report from Don’t Waste Your Money, could be worth a pretty penny.
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The “Original 21” collection includes:
- Unto Us, A Child Is Born (E-2013)
- Jesus Is Born (E-2012)
- His Burden Is Light (E-1380G)
- Come Let Us Adore Him (E-2011)
- Love Lifted Me (E-1375A)
- Jesus Is The Answer (E-1381)
- Make A Joyful Noise (E-1374G)
- Prayer Changes Things (E-1375B)
- He Leadeth Me (E-1377A)
- We Have Seen His Star (E-2010)
- Jesus Is The Light (E-1373G)
- Jesus Loves Me (Boy) (E-1372B)
- Jesus Loves Me (Girl) (E-1372G)
- Love One Another (E-1376)
- God Understands (E-1379B)
- Smile God Loves You (E-1373B)
- God Loveth A Cheerful Giver (E-1378)
- Love Is Kind (E-1379A)
- O, How I Love Jesus (E-1380B)
- He Careth For You (E-1377B)
- Praise The Lord Anyhow (E-1374B)
The company offers photos of the full collection on its official site.
Dr. Lori Verderame, a well-known antiques appraiser, notes that in addition to the “Original 21,” special occasion figurines may also be well sought after. She lists wedding-related Precious Moments figures, often used to top wedding cakes, as an example in a blog post.
So how much could the figurines in your collection sell for?
According to the Don’t Waste Your Money article, figurines will be worth more if they’re older, limited edition, and kept in good condition. Verderame says figurines that carry the names “Jonathan & David” can be valuable as well.
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Figurines that are harder to come by could be worth hundreds of dollars if sold separately, but thousands if they’re in a collection.
A “God Loveth A Cheerful Giver” figurine sold for $275 in 2017, and a 2010 edition Disney Cinderella carriage figurine sold for $1,500 in 2019, Don’t Waste Your Money says, but a large collection sold for $5,000 in 2017. The site goes on to describe a collection that was available for nearly $15,000, though the figurines in that collection were in mint condition and included certificates of authenticity. Eight were also signed by the creator.
Some individual “Precious Moments” figurines are selling on eBay for as much as $500 right now. Another seller currently has more than 1,200 pieces listed for $12,000 on eBay.
Paul Burton, a spokesperson for Woolvey Fine Antiques & Collectibles, told TODAY in 2017 that while some Precious Moments figures have sold for over $1,000, it isn’t very common.
Not every Precious Moments figurine you’ll find online is legitimate or accurately priced. Verderame notes that fake figurines aren’t uncommon, and list prices may not reflect the real appraised value.
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Precious Moments figurines were never meant to be collectibles, according to Gene Freedman, one of the company’s founders. Instead, they were “part of a gift line,” and only “reached collectible status because of the response of the public.”
But, like any other collectible, Precious Moments figurines may not be as valuable as they seem.
“You know, people just seem to think that since something is collectible, it automatically is valuable, and that’s not always the truth,” Jordan Hembrough, toy expert and host of the show “Toy Hunter,” previously told Nexstar.
Plenty of collectibles are mass-produced to encourage collecting, which means many fans are likely trying to build their own collections at the same time. Regardless of the items, experts also advise doing some research before selling, or consider taking any potentially valuable pieces to an appraiser or auction house for an accurate estimate of value.
