Transformers action figures

When the Transformers first came out in 1984, they were an instant smash. These miniature plastic and metal robots rushed off the shelves, with prices ranging from $10 to $30. Most children ripped them from their packages only to repeatedly re-enact an Autobot-Decepticon battle, damage their plastic and lose their accessories.

Fast forward nearly four decades, and the Transformers franchise is still going strong, with a new wave of credits and blockbuster movies. Children who played with Transformers in the 1980s are now adults with money, and nostalgia is a boost to the collectible toy market. Robots toys that are still in good shape and come with the original packaging are incredibly valuable, with some fetching 10 to 100 times their original price at auction.