With spring just around the corner, you might be planning to give your home a good deep clean. If you’re feeling particularly brave, you may even declutter neglected areas such as the attic
Whether it’s a vintage video game or an old trinket that looks like something you’d find on TV shows such as Irish Pickers or the Antiques Roadshow, your attic could be home to some hidden gems. You never know, that treasured childhood toy could – just maybe – be worth big money.
Using their expertise in growing money, Raisin Bank looked at some of the items that could be worth the most money now. So before you roll your eyes at the prospect of spring cleaning, it’s worth remembering that a good declutter could bring in some unexpected cash.
Old Irish coins could be worth a pretty penny
Have you stumbled across some old Irish coins during your spring clean? If so, you may be pleasantly surprised by how much they could be worth. They might not have bought you much at the time, but old coins have increased in value since the Euro replaced Irish money back in 2002.
According to Ireland Coins, the rarest Irish coin – the 1943 florin (2 shilling) – could fetch at least €7,600, while the 1985 20 pence coin has been valued at around €6,500. Although not quite as valuable, both the 1931 and 1961 editions of the Irish half crown are also great finds. The coins, which were designed by Percy Metcalfe, may now be worth up to €600.
Rare whiskey proves its worth
Do you have an old bottle of whiskey hidden at the back of the drinks cabinet? If so, you might want to think twice before pouring yourself a glass. Rare whiskeys can sell for incredible prices, with some bottles going for over a million euros due to their age and heritage. According to the Knight Frank Luxury Investment Index, rare whiskey has increased in value by a rather mind-blowing 564% over the last 10 years.
One Irish whiskey collectors’ set sold for an eye-watering $2 million (€1,766,400) in 2021, making it the world’s most expensive collection. Made by The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. in Dublin, the aptly named ‘Emerald Isle Collection’ is the oldest and rarest triple-distilled Irish single malt in the world.
While it’s unlikely you’ll have a multi-million bottle lurking in the loft, it’s worth checking whether you do own any alcoholic beverages that may have increased in value. Bear in mind, however, that not all whiskey pays off and there are a large number of fakes on the market. In a study by the Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre, a third of supposedly vintage Scotch whiskey bottles were found to be counterfeit or not distilled in the year stated.
Sports memorabilia for the win
If you’re a keen sports fan, you may find some value in memorabilia you’ve kept hold of over the years. Old match programmes, signed footballs and signed shirts for example, have been sold for around a hundred euros. Sports medals – especially if they’re more than 100 years old – can fetch hundreds or even thousands of euros. Back in 2015, a 1912 GAA football all-Ireland gold medal sold for €6,400, after a valuation of between €2,000 to €3,000.
Uncovered a small fortune?
While it might be tempting to think collectables will always pay off, that’s not necessarily the case. Sometimes our attic collections hold more sentimental value than cash value.
However, if you are lucky to unearth a small fortune in your attic (or you have a lump sum of money already) you’ll need to think about what to do with your cash. The most assured way to protect and grow your funds is with a Fixed Term Deposit Account. Raisin Bank offers Irish savers the opportunity to compare competitive interest rates from a range of European banks. Plus, there’s no risk to your capital as deposits are protected under the EU-wide harmonised regulation on deposit guarantee schemes.
Until the 16th March, Raisin Bank are offering up to €200 Welcome Bonus for new customers that sign up, apply for and fund their account. Find out more here
