Many children enjoy playing with marbles at a young age. And to be honest, many adults find the same level of enjoyment in these little spherical balls.
But did you know that marbles have a long and storied history? Get this: some of the earliest known instances of marbles date all the way back to the Romans, Greeks, and Egyptians.
By the 19th century, glass marbles were beginning to become more popular throughout the world. This was due in large part to mass production.
You don’t have to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars to play marbles. In fact, you can pick up a bag at a local big-box retailer for a few dollars.
However, there’s something you need to know: some marbles from the past are worth thousands of dollars or more. These antique marbles are unique, valuable, and of course, fun to collect.
Let’s take a look at some of the most valuable marble sales from recent auctions:
• Onion Skin Blizzard Marble: Sold for $9,775
• Onion Skin Mica Marble: Sold for $2,632.50
• Sulphide Frog Marble: Sold for $526.50
• Christensen Agate Banded Transparent Marble: Sold for $760.50
• Black and White Navarre Marble: Sold for $1,638
You get the point. Individual antique marbles hold quite a bit of value. This doesn’t hold true of all of them, but if you have any in your collection it never hurts to learn more.
Final note: boxed marble games can be just as valuable as individual marbles. For example, Solitaire marble boards in excellent condition often sell for anywhere from $100 to $200.
Once you get involved in the wonderful world of marble collecting, there’s no turning back. You’re sure to fall in love with the history, the stories, and the value.
Do you have any antique marbles in your collection?
Four Sales is the leading estate sale company in Virginia, DC and Maryland. For the past 40+ years, Four Sales has conducted over 3,000 estate sales in Virginia, DC and Maryland. Four Sales estate sales headquarters is in Alexandria, Virginia with regional offices in Charlottesville, Virginia and Annapolis, Maryland.