A woman shocked the internet by sharing the vintage Barbie she found at a thrift store and the ridiculous price she paid for it.
Social media is full of stories about people finding little treasures in second-hand stores, but one woman shocked the internet by sharing the vintage Barbie she found at a thrift store and the ridiculous price she paid for it.
According to a report by Newsweek, Grace Caroline, from Virginia, USA, was strolling through the aisles of a thrift store when she spotted a 1960s Barbie, radiant in a red swimsuit, still inside the original box.
“It was still in the original 1962 box and looked practically untouched,” she told the publication.
The collector’s item was in perfect condition, with the original booklet still sealed in the box and had an interesting detail: “She has what Barbie collectors call the green ear, where the original metal earrings she wore oxidized,” Caroline explained.
The doll, which originally sold for just $2 in the 1960s, around $21 in today’s values, was purchased by Caroline for only $10.99, and it is obviously worth much more than that now.
Red swimsuits were the standard for Barbie dolls in the early 1960s, and some models can cost up to $378 on online selling platforms.
Caroline shared pictures of the doll in a post on Reddit and received hundreds of comments, some from users who couldn’t believe it was an original doll, others congratulating her on the great find.
“For those who know, you bought an expensive Barbie. Looks genuine. Congrats,” wrote one person.
“These are the reasons I still believe in and continue shopping at thrift stores. Congrats and kudos to you,” commented another.
An antique Barbie collector stated that the doll wasn’t as expensive as others, but still a bargain: “This is a #6/7 ponytail, so it’s not nearly as valuable as the first or second Barbie,” the expert wrote.
“It should still be worth about $400. It’s in great condition, and this model is very sought after, especially the ones without the green ear.”
Barbie was launched in 1959 by Mattel and was the first doll to feature adult-like characteristics. The toy remains a hit among children today, with over 50 million dolls sold annually worldwide.
