Let's Talk About Those Teardrop-Eyed Treasures

If you’ve inherited a collection of Precious Moments figurines—or you’re staring at a shelf full of them your mom swore would be your retirement fund—you’re probably wondering: are these little tear-shaped faces worth anything in 2025? The short answer is: mostly, no. But a few surprises might make you stop and check.

The Hard Truth: Most Are Worth $5 to $15

Look, we’re not here to break your heart. But the reality is that the vast majority of Precious Moments figurines produced from the 1980s onward are common collectibles that sell on eBay for between $5 and $15—and that’s including shipping. Yes, your mom’s complete set of “God Loveth a Cheerful Giver” series might look sweet, but buyers aren’t lining up. For example, a standard “Praying Boy” (1979) without the original box recently sold for $8.50 on eBay. A “Love One Another” bride and groom with minor wear went for $12.00. Even a complete set of 12 “Children Around the World” plates (with stands) barely cleared $32 for the lot.

Watch Out for Shipping Costs

Here’s where it gets sneaky. Precious Moments figures are fragile—ceramic, chunky, and prone to broken arms or chipped noses. Shipping a single figurine safely requires bubble wrap, a sturdy box, and often a larger-than-you-think shipping cost. Many eBay sellers lose money by not factoring in that a $10 figurine can cost $8–$12 to ship. So if you’re selling, bundle multiple pieces together to make the math work. If you’re buying, factor in that “free shipping” on a $5 figurine probably means the seller is taking a loss.

The Few That Are Actually Worth Something

Not every figurine is a dud. A handful fetch real money in 2025. Look for these three categories:

  • Rare early editions from the 1970s: The original “Boy with Drum” (1975) in mint condition with its COA sold for $185 earlier this year. Check for the maker’s mark—pre-1980 pieces are more valuable.
  • Limited editions with low production runs: The “2001 Annual Edition: God Bless America” (patriotic flag holder) hit $145 on auction, but only if the box and certificate are perfect.
  • The infamous “Nursing Mother” (1982, very small run) is a grail. One sold last month for $270 despite a tiny chip on the base. Check the bottom—if it says “Samuel J. Butcher” alone (no “Enesco”), you might have a winner.

Practical Recommendation for 2025

Honest advice: Unless you’ve got a rare piece from the list above, don’t expect a windfall. The market for these figurines is flat and aging with their original collectors. Your best bet? Sell them in lots of 5–10 on Facebook Marketplace or a local flea market—you’ll avoid high shipping costs and get maybe $30–$50 for a whole box. Or keep them as nostalgia pieces. Just don’t call them your retirement plan. And if you do find one with a price sticker still on from 1986? That’s not the value today. Sorry, friend.