Attention '80s Kids: Your American Girl Dolls Could Be Worth Thousands

If you grew up in the 1980s or 1990s (or raised a young girl during this period), you likely are familiar with the American Girl doll. Perhaps you even still have a few sitting around in the back of a closet or drawer.

Well, it may be time to bring these beloved dolls out of that nook in the coat closet. As Apartment Therapy reported, some of the American Girl dolls made by the Pleasant Company—which founder Pleasant Rowland sold to Mattel in the late '90s—are now worth a small fortune.

Founded in 1986, the Pleasant Company manufactured the original group of American Dolls which included then-household names like Kirsten, Molly, and Samantha. Fast forward to 2019 and you may be sitting on a lot of money: "These children’s toys are worth a pretty penny these days on eBay, especially the rare, discontinued dolls from the original historical collection that bring in bids of nearly $3,000," writes Jennifer Nied in the Apartment Therapy article.

Indeed, these collectible dolls can fetch quite a bit of dough. A recent eBay search showed a 1986 original Samantha doll listed for the "buy it now" price of $3,300 and a Kirsten doll and accessories set listed for the "buy it now" price of $4,995. Prices, of course, vary based on the condition of the dolls and if they come with original paperwork, packaging, accessories, and the like.

If you're now feeling like a walk down memory lane, check out What Your Childhood Toy Box Says About You.

So who held onto their American Girl dolls from yesteryear? We bet if you find you're sitting on a valuable trove of original Pleasant Company dolls that you're sure glad you did.