This Old-School Lunch Box Is Worth A Staggering Amount Of Money

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It's no secret that as some commodities age, their value occasionally skyrockets. Not everything that's dated increases in worth, as demonstrated by those old-school coffee makers that produce a bitter cup of joe. Yet, when it comes to items such as vintage lunch boxes, some folks might have highly sought-after merchandise just hanging around in a closet somewhere.

Take the scarcely seen 1954 Superman lunch box manufactured by ADCO Liberty. The front of the box's metal housing depicts a battle between the last son of Krypton and a giant gold robot, and it is sometimes appraised at between $500 and $1,800. That said, at the time of writing, there is one being auctioned off on eBay for an asking price of $6,750. One even earned someone nearly $12,000 in 1999.

Superman isn't the only character featured on lunch boxes that some collectors want to get their hands on. The first one to have cartoon characters illustrated on the front, manufactured by Geuder, Paeschke & Frey in 1935, showcased Mickey Mouse, and anyone willing to part with one could become about $1,800 richer. ADCO Liberty produced another lunch box in 1955, displaying the Lone Ranger, which has an estimated value of $1,250. A "The Jetsons" container made by Aladdin Industries featuring the futuristic cartoon characters on the front can score a payday of over $2,000. Still, while those valuations are nothing to sneeze at, none of them compare to the whopping amount of scratch you can get for the old-school 1954 Superman lunch box — if it's in superb condition.

Imagining a five-figure compensation for selling something collecting dust is exciting, but why do some commodities command such a high price? Several qualities contribute to old-school merchandise becoming prized over time, but one primary factor is rarity. That's why some vintage kitchen containers could be worth big bucks. There may have been many Superman lunch boxes around at one point, but, over time, they get lost, damaged, or simply thrown away. Because there aren't many of them left in the world, their value has increased — basic supply and demand.

However, a Superman lunch box that looks like it's been put through the wringer isn't likely to reap $12,000, even if it's rare. The condition of vintage merchandise also plays a major role in its resale value. If it's dented, the colors are dulled, and it doesn't open and close as it should, don't expect a big payday if you auction it off. Some old-school lunch boxes also came with a Thermos that fit inside. If you have a complete set, it will sell for more than the lunch box alone. If it is still in the packaging it was initially purchased in, expect an even higher sale price.

Still, why would someone shell out several thousand bucks for an old metal container? In short, nostalgia. Similar to how the chronologically gifted (like me) get excited when we see those old-school Halloween treats unrecognizable to today's kids, the ability to see and touch a vintage lunch box might elicit memories of long-gone carefree days of childhood. That's priceless to some folks, and they are willing to pay handsomely for that connection to the past.