9 Vintage Cookie Jars That Are Actually Worth a Small Fortune

Collectible cookie jars became popular in the 1930s and 1940s in America, making them a trendy item that could be found in many homes. By the 1960s, you couldn’t walk into a home without encountering at least one, with certain designs and styles remaining in high demand.

These days, collectors love to focus their passions on vintage cookie jars thanks to the wide variety of styles, colors, and silhouettes available. 

Those lucky enough to find a set in mint condition can even make a little extra cash for their efforts. 

For collectors who stumble upon the motherload — which includes rare vintage pieces that often go to bidding wars when they’re listed on auction sites — you may even be able to build wealth for your trouble.

We’ve scoured the internet for these nine vintage cookie jars that could make you some serious money if you stumble upon them the next time you’re at an estate sale, yard sale, or thrift store.

Current market value: $949.95

The tale of Little Red Riding Hood has been told around the world, a fact that might make this Hull cookie jar worth a little bit more. The beloved — but scary — children’s tale inspired the jar, a girl skipping along with her red hood on.

You want to be more careful with these ones, as reproductions have been made and circulated that are incredibly similar to the originals.

Hull’s Little Red Riding Hood collection includes a creamer jar, sugar bowl and lid, an open sugar bowl, a teapot and lid, and more. There is a cookie jar currently listed for almost $1,000, but most of these jars have been known to sell for between $300 and $500.

Current market value: $500

Another interesting take on the Little Red Riding Hood theme is Metlox’s red-cheeked, round rendition of her, a small basket tucked under her red outerwear. Her blunt blonde bob peeks out from under her hood, and she has classic blue detailing on her linens.

The popular ceramics company began production on their Poppytrail line in 1934. You can find this rare, charming piece for a few hundred dollars online.

Current market value: $699.99

If you find a cookie jar that says “Cookies Out of This World,” you may want to take a closer look at the sweet treat holder. If it isn’t a replica, you could have a 1960s classic on your hands, which can be worth a few hundred dollars online.

This one featuring a little moon man peeking out of the top of the rocket ship as it soars over the moon is incredibly rare, and the only one we were able to locate online is currently listed for $699.99.

Current market value: $1,950

This cookie jar stands at 13.5 inches high and 8.5 inches wide, and depicts an eager-looking little girl with a ponytail on her head, her doe eyes gazing delightedly at the bag in her hands labeled “Little Audrey.” Manufactured in the 1960s, it is an incredibly rare find and has consistently sold for around $2,000 over the years.

This vibrant design features green, blue, yellow, pink, black, and brown in its design.

Current market value: $1,000

The Regal China Company came into existence in 1930s Chicago. Then, just two decades later in 1951, they developed one of their best collaborative efforts with the Alice in Wonderland cookie jar. The 13 inch tall jar features Alice beginning to stretch in full color, and was most recently sold online for $1,000.

This jar is considered rare, and is widely sought after by Disney collectors, who are apt to be your target audience if you’re looking to purchase this jar for reselling purposes.

Current market value: $2,000-$4,000

A befuddling popular — and rare — find, the Baby Huey cookie jar is modeled after a duckling in a diaper with a bonnet that was all the rage when the image was first produced. American Bisque fashioned this cookie jar out of his likeness, and you can spot the rarity by its faded yellow and blue colors.

Assessors value it between $2,000 and $4,000, and one was recently sold for $1,200.

Current market value: $525

While nothing about a friendly ghost necessarily screams “money,” you’ll want to take a second look if you happen upon this jar featuring Casper eating a cookie out in the wild. 

They are super sought-after by collectors, as they were part of a limited run by American Bisque in the early 1960s.

One recently sold for $400, and another for $525.

Current market value: $24,999.99

This 1973 Tiger cookie jar was featured on the iconic show Friends. It has exploded in popularity in small part because of that, and because the Holt-Howard company is no longer in operation. As such, there are a couple listed for more than $20,000 on eBay.

While the jar used on set broke, you can usually tell that it is an original jar and not a recreation by the stamp and copyright information that should appear embossed on the jar. 

Additionally, if your jar is not painted yellow on the underside of the lid, this is another sign that you may be holding a cookie jar that could be worth a small fortune. .

Current market value: $375

There’s a nursery rhyme-themed cookie jar from the 1940s out there that can help you score a pretty big chunk of change. 

Made of high gloss, glazed ceramic and gold trim, this jar features a cow sitting on the moon, a cat and its fiddle, and the iconic dish and spoon duo.

You can identify an original by the “RRP Co. Roseville Ohio” mark on the bottom of it. This cookie jar is consistently listed for over $300 online.

If you’re hoping to get into the vintage cookie jar collection game, you’ll want to make sure to examine the type of ceramic, glaze, or glass that was used when searching for your treasures before using the cookie holders for your sweets.

Old glass was often made with mercury, and you want to keep yourself and your customers safe if you plan to earn extra income outside of work by starting your own resale business.

Category - Side Hustle - Syndication