Let's Rip the Band-Aid Off

If you're staring at a dusty shelf of Precious Moments figurines wondering if they'll fund your kid's college, we need to talk. The hard truth: most of these tear-streaked cherubs and wide-eyed children are worth somewhere between $3 and $15 on the resale market. Yes, even the ones Grandma kept in a glass case. The 1980s boom—when these porcelain cuties sold by the millions—flooded the market so thoroughly that you’ll be lucky to get back the original retail price, let alone a profit.

A Few Exceptions That Might Surprise You

Before you start using them as paperweights, know this: a tiny fraction of Precious Moments figurines actually carry some value. The key is rarity and condition—box, certificate, no chips, no faded paint. Here are a few examples pulled from recent eBay sold listings (actual sold, not asking prices):

  • “He Leadeth Me” (1985, Boy with Lamb) – sold for $22 in mint condition with original box. Without box: $8.
  • “Love One Another” (1995, Two Bears with Heart) – a limited edition variant with a gold stamp sold for $48. The common version: $12.
  • “God Loveth a Cheerful Giver” (1979, Girl with Offering Plate) – rare early piece, sold for $35 with box. Most 1970s pieces hover around $10–$20.
  • “Ten Little Angels” set (1990s) – a complete set of ten figurines sold as a lot for $65 (shipping was $35).

Notice a pattern? None of these are paying off your mortgage. The real winners are the limited releases, numbered editions, and any figure tied to a specific church or event (like the “Holy Family” series). But even those top out around $75–$100.

The Shipping Tax That Eats Your Profit

Here’s the part eBay won’t tell you: Precious Moments figurines are heavy, fragile, and annoying to pack. A single 5-inch ceramic piece can weigh over a pound. After a box, bubble wrap, and insurance, you’re looking at $10–$18 in shipping for one figurine. Sell it for $8 and you’ve lost money. Bundling five or ten together in one lot can help, but then you’re competing with other sellers who practically give them away. Shipping cost is the silent killer—don’t ignore it.

What Should You Actually Do With Them?

Okay, practical advice time. Here’s your playbook:

  1. Check for chips and damage. Any crack or missing paint instantly drops value by 90%.
  2. Look for a box. Original boxes (especially the styrofoam inserts) add 30–50% to the value.
  3. Search eBay sold listings for your exact figurine name and year (mold number is on the bottom). Don’t guess.
  4. Bundle them. Sell a lot of 10–20 similar figurines for $40–$60. You’ll avoid the shipping per-piece nightmare.
  5. Donate or give away. If they bring you joy, keep a few. Otherwise, drop them at a thrift store. Someone will be thrilled to find them for $2.

Final recommendation: Don’t expect a windfall. Precious Moments are a lesson in supply and demand—great for nostalgia, lousy for returns. Keep your favorites, sell the rest as a lot, and use the small cash for something fun. Like, say, a slightly nicer bottle of wine.