10 Of The Most Valuable Mugs You Could Find In A Thrift Store

One of the most common sights at the thrift store is a shelf littered with vintage and contemporary mugs. People don't often recognize the value of a mug from a reputable brand, and most thrift stores will part with them for a few dollars. However, some are worth far more to collectors.

We've rounded up some of the most valuable mugs that can be found at thrift stores. Casual and hardcore collectors seek out these brands for their unique designs, nostalgic vibe, and historical significance. Most people thrift with the intention of displaying mugs or reselling. If you intend to use these mugs for drinking, be warned that there are potential hazards hiding in thrifted coffee cups. Before the 1970s, there was little regulation around glass and lead content, and many vintage pieces are not safe to drink out of. This goes for ceramics and glass products alike.

Even though some of these mug brands aren't ideal for drinking out of, it doesn't take away from their ascribed value. Due to their collectability, some lead-laden brands are just as expensive as drinkable cups. We cover their most popular and in-demand lineups and patterns, as well as the stamps, etchings, and characteristics that make them recognizable. We also investigated how much these items typically resell for and what circumstances increase their worth. 

A plethora of artists have designed Otagiri mugs over the past 50 years, and many of the patterns are unique with detailed handiwork. They're recognizable by their speckled texture and identifying backmarks. In either case, these are coffee mugs you should never skip if spotted while thrifting. The ceramic and stoneware pieces come in an array of vintage patterns, from colorful hand-painted scenes to pastel florals. The main thing to keep in mind is that the company was sold off in the mid-1990s, and production of the pieces stopped. However, there are similar pieces that were still produced after that, so watch out for inauthentic look-alikes.

Identifying vintage ceramic and porcelain pieces is often reliant on backmarking. Many authentic Otagiri pieces have a blue, red, or gold stamp in Japanese writing, or they have a gold sticker that reads, "OMC Japan." They may also read "Hand Crafted Otagiri Original Japan." One reason these mugs are tricky to identify is that they have vastly different designs. With their diverse styles, Otagiri mugs appeal to all kinds of collectors. Some search for their favorite designs, while others intentionally seek out the rarest patterns. Many Otagiri mugs can be resold for $20 to $30, but more exclusive pieces are worth $50 and up.

The demand for Disney merch never falters, and many past and present Disney pieces are worth more than the average mug. Vintage limited edition and special edition mugs are most likely to fetch a high price, but don't write off newer designs just yet. After all, there's no telling how many Disney fans are out there looking for every piece of merch related to their favorite movies. Sometimes, non-vintage mugs go for just as high as rare and historical pieces, and eBay's past sales are a good example of this. A 2010 Disney Mad As A Hatter Oversize Mug sold for $44.95, making it nearly as valuable as a Rare Vintage 1996 Walt Disney World Villains Coffee Mug that sold for only 5 cents more.

Disney's branding hasn't followed a consistent style over the years, but many of its mugs are identifiable by a Disney logo or the well-known characters etched or painted across the surface. So, never ignore this Disney-themed kitchen item at thrift shops where they're sold for as cheap as 49 cents. They could be worth $20 to $30 to the right online buyer.

Vintage McDonald's glass mugs are worth a commendable price for the same reasons as Disney products. Many of these mugs and glasses were made in collaboration with new movies and TV shows in previous decades, which makes them extra nostalgic and valuable to fans. These items are also coveted among collectors for their historical significance. Limited-edition drinkware was the adult version of Happy Meal toys, and they were hugely popular in the 1980s. To many, they're a nostalgic piece of American culture.

One of the most popular McDonald's glass mug collections is the 1995 Batman Forever set. Many of these have been sold on eBay, and full sets have fetched upwards of $80. Even the lower-priced mugs are often sold for over $10, which is a great resale value compared to common thrift store prices. Other vintage McDonald's glass mugs that aren't related to Batman also do well in online auctions. Many go for upwards of $70 on eBay.

Starbucks amassed a loyal fan base in the 1990s, and to this day, millions of coffee drinkers flock to these stores for caffeine and the latest mug releases. New mug designs pop up every season, and many of them are limited edition and collectible. No one can fault this genius marketing tactic, as Starbucks mugs have value that puts centuries-old brands to shame. 

Their Global Icon Collectors Series, Giant Abbey One Gallon Coffee Mug, and Disney and Star Wars collaborations fetch a high price on online marketplaces. Some of these have gone for well over $1,000 on eBay, while many others are worth hundreds of dollars. Even the basic mugs can go for $50 or more, so don't pass up these valuable Starbucks mugs at a thrift shop, no matter how modern or vintage they appear. Fortunately, since Starbucks is a more modern company, many of their mugs are clearly marked by legible backstamps. They'll often say the Starbucks name along with the collection name and other details about the cup, such as where it was made, its capacity, and whether it's dishwasher and microwave safe.

If you don't know Johanna Parker by name, you may recognize her retro, cartoon-style mug collections. She's most well-known for her merry but spooky Halloween mugs, though her team also releases other folk art-inspired collections for other seasons and holidays. These collections are advertised as being produced in limited quantities, driving up even more demand for the unique and cozy designs.

Scour thrift stores for these unique mug collections, especially the Carnival Cottage lineup. They're recognizable by the art style but not the usual way of identifying a brand– the backstamp. Johanna Parker's backstamps aren't reliable for spotting her artsy mug lines. Some simply have a gold "Made in China" sticker, while others have the parent brand name "Transpac" and other details about the mug. If you get lucky, you may find one in its original packaging, making it easier to identify. These mugs are a steal at any thrift shop, and sell around the $20 to $30 range on online marketplaces and auction sites.

Limited edition and vintage tiki mugs aren't just unique and quirky, but they can also be very valuable to collectors. The most sought-after tiki mugs are from designers like TikiRob, Vantiki, Munktiki, and other top-selling creators. These artists are behind some of the most expensive tiki mugs on auction and resale sites. Many of these tiki mugs are one-of-a-kind or inspired by pop culture, making them great finds in the collecting world.

Rare, vintage, and custom tiki mugs in mint condition can be worth thousands of dollars. Even the less desirable pieces are usually worth $30 or more, though it ultimately depends on the condition, design, and artist's reputation. Never pass up one of these thrifted mugs before checking the back or inside first. Luckily, many tiki mug makers clearly put their backstamp on the bottom of the mug, making them easy to spot.

Villeroy & Boch is a centuries-old company that has remained relevant by modernizing their ceramics and making business decisions that made sense for current events and trends. With a combination of clever business tactics and talented artists, Villeroy & Boch created many art deco and Bauhaus-style ceramic lines that took off during the 20th century. Many of their mugs are decorated with pastel florals and vibrant art deco designs, which give them a vintage appeal.

Some prized full mug collections go for hundreds of dollars, with some single mugs selling for around $80. These prices are around the same as other valuable brands of vintage porcelain. So, don't expect an early retirement if you find one of these pieces, but do expect to get more than your money back. Verify this nearly 300-year-old company's products by examining the backstamp on a potential mug. The design evolved slightly every decade but maintained some consistent markings for identification. Since 1874, the backmarks have consistently read "Villeroy & Boch, and usually feature an intricate logo alongside the name.

Even people who aren't familiar with collectible ceramics may recognize the Blue Italian lineup produced by the vintage ceramic brand Spode. This collection is still in production, as it has been for over 200 years. In fact, the most recent edition of the Blue Italian Small Mug Set sells for around $100 and is a replica of the vintage set. However, if you can find an older set (or a mug or two) while browsing the second-hand aisles, you can likely get it for a fraction of that price.

Although the Blue Italian line is their most popular and longest-running, Spode's other mug sets are also worth some money if you spot them. Single mugs and entire sets of the Christmas and Blue Room collections go for $30 and up. Spode kept up with backmarks over the years, but they naturally went through changes. For the most part, you can identify Spode products by their name and a pattern number stamped on the bottom.  

Illy's Art Collection mugs aren't just drinkware, they are contemporary works of art. The company hires unknown and renowned artists alike to design mugs under its brand name, releasing hundreds of unique and one-of-a-kind mugs. These modern art pieces are so unique that people may not recognize them if they don't know the Illy name. However, collectors have deemed these products just as valuable as other famous mug brands on this list.

With over 100 artists working behind the scenes on these mugs, identifying them can be tricky. Mugs that are still in their original box are the easiest to identify for obvious reasons. Others have the Illy name, date, identifying numbers, and artist name marked on the bottom of the mug. In any case, if you stumble across a mug and manage to identify it, it could be worth $30 to over $100, especially if paired with another mug or saucer set. Full collections are an even more valuable find, and are worth $150 to upwards of $600, depending on their design and how coveted they are by collectors.

Many of the most valuable 20th-century milk glasses were made of the mineral jadeite. The brand Fire-King followed this trend, making Jadeite mugs that are remarkable for their opaque and durable glass. Many of these mugs have held up over the decades, giving credibility to their strong build and retro appearance. Many were used in 20th-century restaurants, and were twice as thick as a standard Jadeite piece. Aside from their restaurant collections, Fire-King also produced many mugs featuring famous cartoon characters like Snoopy, Strawberry Shortcake, and Wile E. Coyote.

The jadeite mugs are plain in appearance and come in an unmistakable soft green color. The cartoon mugs are easier to recognize. However, they are more easily mistaken for other contemporary mug styles sold at popular retailers and small Etsy shops. Identify a vintage Fire-King piece by an etching on the bottom. It should read the brand logo and other identifying statements like "Anchor Hocking" and "Made in U.S.A." Full mug sets are worth hundreds, and even single cups go for $30 and up.