Oh, the days when you had to manually rewind a tape with a pencil, when a mixtape was the ultimate romantic gesture, and when the biggest dilemma was choosing between your favorite albums because your Walkman could only hold one tape at a time. Those were the days, right? Well, hold on to your boomboxes, because this is a bombshell: those old cassette tapes gathering dust in your attic? They could be worth a small fortune. Your old Linkin Park or Pearl Jam cassettes could be your ticket to some serious cash. So, before you chuck them in the trash or donate them to your local thrift store, you might want to read on.
The Unexpected Comeback of Cassette Tapes
In the age of digital music, it’s hard to imagine a time when audio cassette tapes were popular. But back in the 1980s and ‘90s, cassette tapes were everything, even surpassing vinyl as the go-to way to listen to music. Nowadays, music you can actually hold in your hands feels novel compared to its digital brethren. Although cassettes are making a slow comeback, most people probably don’t think of tapes as a must-have item, let alone anything of value—but those folks would be wrong.
The Hidden Value in Your Cassette Collection
One of the most coveted cassette tapes, for instance, is a self-titled, self-released demo tape by Linkin Park (issued under the band’s original name, Xero), which recently sold for about $4500. You don’t have to have rare demos or impossible-to-find collectibles to make money off your cassette tapes. While first pressings or tapes that are still sealed typically command the highest resale value, you can still make a pretty decent buck even if they are opened.
Top Valuable Finds from the ‘80s and ‘90s
With that in mind, we’ve scoured eBay for the most valuable finds from the ‘80s and ‘90s that you probably have somewhere in the back of your closet. Albums like Pearl Jam’s seminal debut album Ten, Nirvana’s sophomore album Nevermind, and Beastie Boys’ first studio album, Licensed to Ill, could net you up to $4000, $1500, and $1500 respectively on eBay.
The Worth of Metal and Rap Albums
Even metal and rap albums have their worth. Metallica’s Ride the Lightning could earn up to $1000 on eBay, and even used copies can sell for a surprising amount, about $150. Nas’s debut album Illmatic and Snoop Dogg’s inaugural 1993 release, Doggystyle, could bring in more than $900 and $500 respectively on eBay.
Pop Albums and Their Value
Pop albums also hold their value. Madonna’s self-titled debut album could be sold for between $250 to $350 in profit from it on eBay. Alanis Morissette’s 1995’s Jagged Little Pill, you could sell it on eBay for up to $600.
The Worth of Debut Albums
If this roundup is any indication, debut albums seem to be the most valuable over time. Jay-Z’s debut studio album Reasonable Doubt still had a big impact on the hip-hop landscape. On eBay, a sealed tape of it can rake in up to $400, but used copies are usually valued at about $100 on average.
The Treasure in Your Attic
So, before you dismiss your old cassette tapes as relics of the past, remember that they could be worth more than you think. Whether you’re a music lover, a collector, or just someone looking to make some extra cash, it’s worth taking a second look at those old tapes. You never know, you might just have a hidden treasure in your attic.
