Collector Plates – Are Yours Valuable?
Collector plates no longer have the exceptional value they did when they were being collected in the 1970s and 1980s. Unless they are dated before 1920 or 1930, the plates can fetch less than $10 a piece. The key to figuring out their value is to become familiar with notable manufacturers and desirable eras.
I started researching a collection of plates a client gave me to sell and noticed that a Bing & Grondahl plate dated 1895 titled ‘Behind the Frozen Window’ was selling on eBay for thousands of dollars. I listed it and it sold for $2,500 (pictured). This plate held it’s value because it was the first plate in Bing & Grondahl’s series of Christmas plates.
Factors Affecting the Value of Plates
According to Antique Trader, some collector plates are regaining their value, in part because baby boomers are purchasing them for sentimental reasons. Look for these characteristics if you think you might have a treasure or two in your collection.
Date of Manufacture
Antique Trader notes that collector plates from the 1920s are some of the most valuable but only if they are in perfect condition. According to Terry Kovel, plates made after 1980 usually have no monetary value. Most collector plates from major manufacturers feature very detailed back stamps and usually include the year the plate was made.
Major Manufacturers Are Worth More
Bing & Grondahl – Plates from the 1800s to 1920s can sell for hundreds or thousands of dollars as noted above. I also sold a series of five Christmas plates from the 1930s for $140 and five Christmas plates from the 1950s for $70. A series of nine plates from the popular Mother’s Day series dated 2000-2008 sold for $70.
Wedgwood – Their popular blue and white plates don’t hold their value as you would think. I have had a listing of five Christmas plates from 1970-1974 for sale on my ebay store for several months for $50 with no buyers (1974 pictured).
Royal Doulton – According to AntiqueMarks.com, a Royal Doulton collector plate from 1927 with two fish is valued between $220 to $300. However, plates from the 1970’s sell for about two to ten dollars.
Royal Copenhagen – Noted for their Christmas plates, Royal Copenhagen is another major manufacturer with dramatic variation in value. A 1908 Christmas plate, ‘Madonna & Child,’ can sell for over $3,700, while I sold a 1970 Christmas plate for $10. Four new in the box Christmas plates from 2005-2008 fetched $79, with free shipping.
Mass producers of plates like Bradford Exchange and Franklin Mint are selling for less than $10 these days on eBay.
To sell your collector plates, contact us.
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22 Comments
Hi. I have a Third Limited Edition Harley Davidson “Holiday Memories” -“After the Pageant” plate. # 3365 of 15,000 made. Excellent condition and dated 1996. Is it worth anything?
Thank you
Hi Julie,
I looked up Sold listings on eBay and found that your plate sold from $3.00 to $38.97 over the past year. All listings charged shipping between $9 to $13 dollars. Hope that helps!
Kelly
Hi Kelly, I have 7 wedgewood cornlower series lunch plates . They are marked and stamped , have a D on the bottom and serial AK8023 E.
Hi Kelly,
I just spotted your email on my website, sorry for the delayed response. You’ve probably done something with the collector plates by now. But my advice is to search SOLD listings on eBay to see what these plates are actually selling for, which seems to be between $10 to $20 each. I’m not selling collector plates anymore, mostly fine art these days. All the best,
Kelly
I understand that most of these ads for collector plates were one and the same person in Chicago, called “JOY”. I have all the Bing & Grondahl MD, Haviland 12 days of Christmas and a few more. JOY of Chicago should have been charged with something. She fooled a lot of people. I have two large metal boxes just sitting out in the garage
Do any have a value?
Hi Leona,
I just spotted your email on my website, sorry for the delayed response. You’ve probably done something with the collector plates by now. But my advice is to search SOLD listings on eBay to see what these plates are actually selling for. That will give you an idea of how to price them as I’m not selling collector plates anymore, mostly fine art these days. All the best,
Kelly
hi there,, have 2 plates, 2 different artist signed plates..entitled “the Night of the Cutover..plate number 9728 written in gold which is plate #4 in 12 plate series. story on back of plate has exclusive endorsement of Telephone Pioneers of America Surrey Group 1985 Mt Prospect IL 60056. Same details for 2nd plate # 4119, entitled “The Number Is…” same endorsement, plate #9, in an edition which was limited to 20,000 same series 1990 Surrey Group 1990 Schaumburg, IL60193(this on made in Japan) artist were Mike Hagel and John Mogus
Hi Mary,
I just spotted your email on my website, sorry for the delayed response. You’ve probably done something with the collector plates by now. But my advice is to search SOLD listings on eBay to see what these plates are actually selling for. That will give you an idea of how to price them. All the best,
Kelly
Hi, I have the silent watch limited edition plates set by Peter Skirka. Are they worth anything now? Each were bought for $30.??. I do not have the boxes but they are in mint condition, never used.
Hi Kathi,
Peter Skirka plates in mint condition are selling between $20 and $30 with the Certificate of Authenticity. Then there is the cost of shipping. Collector plates are not as desireable as they used to be but the first edition in the series usually commands a higher price. Good luck to you!
Kelly
I have a Bing and Grondahl plate “Mother’s Day-1979 in original box! Is it worth anything?
Hi Karen,
I just spotted your email on my website, sorry for the delayed response. You’ve probably done something with the collector plate by now. But my advice is to search SOLD listings on eBay to see what these plates are actually selling for. That will give you an idea of how to price them. All the best,
Kelly
i have two roselane rearing horses i would like to sell. they are a cream/beige color with red/brown mane and tails. is there any interest in these?
Hi Susi,
Thanks for your note about selling Roselane horses. I only sell things worth $100 or more and it seems like these are valued under that amount, according to eBay. So I will pass on these for now and wish you the best of luck.
Kelly
I have 12 collectable plates “the creation” they are about 30 tp 35 years old I need to know how much I can get from them without paying for the information I dont have the money to pay
Hi Debbie,
I just spotted your email on my website, sorry for the delayed response. You’ve probably done something with the collector plates by now. But my advice is to search SOLD listings on eBay to see what these plates are actually selling for. That will give you an idea of how to price them. All the best,
Kelly
I have several sets of collector plates from the Bradford Exchange. I am curious to know if they have any value.
Here are the sets:
Kitten Cousins – 7 plates Danbury Mint 1990
Disney Cinderella – 8 plates Knowles China Co. 1988
Curious Kittens – 2 plates Hamilton Collection 1988-1990
Country Kittens – 1 plate Mischief Makers Hamilton Collection 1988-1990
Farmyard Friends – 1 plate Mistaken Identity Hamilton Collection 1966-1990
Bedtime Story – 1 plate Franklin Mint 1990
Hi Judith,
I just spotted your email on my website, sorry for the delayed response. You’ve probably done something with the collector plates by now. But my advice is to search SOLD listings on eBay to see what these plates are actually selling for. That will give you an idea of how to price them. All the best,
Kelly
I would like to know the value of a metal plate I have that was made as a commemorative plates from the Royal collection made in 1849 “ the coal exchange plate” made by Coalport for the Royal table and Queen Elizabeth 11 at the opening of the coal exchange London on Oct 30th 1849 this is all written in Gold on the back of plate! The England seal and number of plate is on it too! And explanation of picture on from of place mostly in colbolt blue plate at gold leaf all over its design
Hi Lorraine,
Your tin Coalport plate is selling between $15 to $50 on eBay, depending on condition. Hope that helps!
Kelly
I have a commemorative plate of governors of new 1788-1938, Good condition, no cracks or crackling. Is is worth much?
Hi John,
I just spotted your email on my website, sorry for the delayed response. You’ve probably done something with the collector plate by now. But my advice is to search SOLD listings on eBay to see what these plates are actually selling for. That will give you an idea of how to price them. All the best,
Kelly