How to Find the Value in Collector Barbies

Keep the original box that came with the Barbie doll. Even if you remove the Barbie from the box for display purposes, keep all of the original packaging. Collectors would want the original packaging in case you choose to resell her someday. Vintage Barbies are much more valuable when they are sold in their original box.

Check to see where your doll's date and mark are located. If the mark is on her bottom and not on her neck or on her lower back, it is likely the doll was manufactured before 1973. Dolls manufactured before this date are considered vintage. These dolls are highly sough after, especially if they are marked with the word "Japan". The first Barbies were manufactured in Japan. Their clothes were also hand stitched, not machine made.

Do a head-to-toe evaluation of your doll. Has her hair been cut? Is her make-up clean and bright? Does she have any green marks in her ears where her earrings used to be, or any chew marks or splits in her feet? These are all things to take into consideration when estimating the value of the doll.

Purchase a copy of "The Ultimate Barbie Doll Book" (See Resources) available on Amazon. Other Barbie guides can also be helpful as long as they have full color pictures and detailed information on distinguishing marks and other characteristics.

Put in any information you have about your Barbie, such as hair color and date created into the search bar on a auction-type website. This will bring up other similar dolls that are for sale. This will give you an idea of what the going rate is for your doll.