Finding Value in Board Games

Volume 2 of Micro Category Tips

Jul 09, 2023

My introduction to value in board games started with an old ratty-looking Monopoly set. The box was beaten up, parts were missing, and the board itself had plenty of wear. It was almost tossed in the trash a couple of times.

We posted it on our then fledgling e-commerce site, not expecting much the minimum bid was $5. It shot past a hundred on the first day. We decided to do some research. Long story short, it turned out to be a pre-world War two version. Even though it was missing quite a few parts and pieces what was there was important. It closed at over $600.

OK, we learned to pay attention.

Every thrift store I have been involved with saw plenty of board games donated every day. Most are run-of-the-mill only worth a few dollars, many missing parts.

There are hidden gems in this segment so it’s worth learning a little more. A minute or two checking an item out online can sometimes net hundreds of dollars.

Following are a few tips on what to look for and some examples. This is not an exhaustive review of this entire market but should give you plenty to look for. It isn’t all about the super famous brand names. Collectors are looking for rare and unusual like most segment collectors.

#1 - Factory Sealed. Even if it’s a current modern game, there is added value.

Avalon Hill brand - these are mostly book shelf-style games. Most are limited editions and often have a tie-in with a franchise of some sort.

Dune - Movie, book, and game
The Longest Day
Historical War Games

SPI Brand - Also often limited runs of popular specialized mostly bookshelf games.

Campaign for North Africa also appeals to war memorabilia collectors
War of the Ring, Lord of the Ring, obvious secondary tie in
Objective Moscow, The Death of the Soviet Communism

Tie-ins with other genres, sports, TV series, Movies, and Video Games

Strat-o-Matic - Sport-themed games, started in the 1960s and continued past the year 2000 - Appeals to board game collectors as well as sports collectors.
Pokeman Anything - Also appeals to multiple types of collectors
Legend of Zelda - Great cover art and popular across collector types
Disney Haunted Mansion - Big money if complete and in good shape

Pro Tip:

Don’t put stickers on the box or plastic on valuable ones. You might cut the value in half!

Some sleepers that are easy to overlook:

Situational Leadership - 1 Minute Manager Game

Ticket to Ride, 10th Anniversary

A couple of “Holy Grail” items:

Dark Tower, 1981 can fetch over $500

War of the Ring, can fetch over $1,000

Cover art - Colorful almost comic book looks, action-oriented looks, boxes in great condition.

Fireball Island
Splat
Forbidden Bridge
It From the Pit
The Banana Splits

Things that affect value:

In the original factory plastic

Condition of the box

All parts and original instructions included

“punch” pieces not punched

Special and limited editions

Any board game with no factory UPC is also worth an extra look. They were first instituted in 1974 but took a few years to catch on across retail product manufacturing

Fun Factoid on UPCs

The first "shopper" was Clyde Dawson, who was head of research and development for Marsh Supermarket; the pioneer cashier who "served" him, was Sharon Buchanan. Legend has it that Dawson dipped into his shopping basket and pulled out a multi-pack of Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit chewing gum.

Dawson explained later that this was not a lucky dip: he chose it because nobody had been sure that a bar code could be printed on something as small as a pack of chewing gum, and Wrigley had found a solution to the problem. Their ample reward was a place in American history.

Tim Gebauer

Thrift Retailer - Dedicated to the business of thrift retail.

I am happy to connect on LinkedIn.

Check out some great custom artwork at my Redbubble site.

Check out my Online Sellers book on Amazon

If you find value in these posts, if you like, you can help support this work:

Share thriftretailer