Monopoly, the world’s most iconic board game, is marking its 90th anniversary this year. First published in 1935 by Parker Brothers, the game has sold more than 275 million copies worldwide and has been translated into 47 languages. In Britain, Leeds-based Waddingtons helped popularize Monopoly with a version that used London streets and local flavor, making it a fixture in family gatherings, Christmases and rainy weekends. The game’s history also intersects with wartime lore, with a wartime edition reportedly created by British intelligence that included features intended to aid prisoners of war.
Beyond the basic game, rare editions can fetch striking sums. A Franklin Mint Collector's Edition, typically housed in a mahogany box with the board built in and gold-colored playing pieces, routinely sells for well over £100 and can reach £300–£400, antiques specialists say. A complete Monopoly set handmade by its creator, Charles Darrow, in 1933 sold at auction in 2010 for about $146,000 to the Museum of Play in New York. Wartime sets, which used a spinner instead of a die and wooden pieces due to shortages, are typically valued higher than basic editions, with some examples topping £40. In 2023, a set with a game table and a certificate of authenticity sold for £1,841. Earlier this month, the glass protector for collector’s editions sold on eBay for more than $100. An East Grinstead edition featuring gold playing pieces, produced in limited numbers, reportedly sold for about £2,000 in 2020.
Kayleigh Davies, an antiques specialist with the auction platform Auctionet, said Monopoly’s enduring popularity contributes to its collectibility. “Monopoly isn’t just a game, it’s part of popular culture, and remains largely unchanged in its 90-year history,” Davies said. “This positively affects its status as a collectible, and luxury editions of the game can fetch a high price.” She noted that even sets designed for collectors—such as those with a dedicated game table built for a special edition—can command higher prices when provenance is clear. “For versions that include the original game table specifically built for the collector edition set, the price is much higher.”
Beyond Monopoly, other board games might fetch a tidy sum at resale. A 1960s James Bond-themed game, 007 Underwater Battle, has sold at auction for between £200 and £800.
To mark the 90th anniversary, the Royal Mint released a commemorative Monopoly 50p coin. The coin shows Mr. Monopoly, playing pieces and property cards, and can be purchased from the Royal Mint for £15, with options in colour, silver and gold. A lenticular feature on the GO symbol transitions to the money symbol when tilted, the Royal Mint said. Rebecca Morgan, director of commemorative coin at the Royal Mint, said: “For nearly 90 years, families have been trading millions in Monopoly currency around kitchen tables, and now we’re celebrating that beloved tradition with this collectible coin. We anticipate collectors, whether passionate about Monopoly or coins, will treasure this as a unique addition to their collections.”
Experts advise potential buyers and sellers to verify a set’s age, originality and condition. Davies said a clear provenance, including sales receipts and dated packaging, can significantly boost value. “If you can verify its origin this will make it particularly valuable, sales receipts and dated packaging can help in this regard.”
As Monopoly marks its 90th year, the market for rare editions and related memorabilia shows how a game once imagined as a simple pastime continues to captivate collectors and fans around the world. From wartime curiosities and luxury collector’s sets to a modern commemorative coin, the cultural footprint of Monopoly remains unusually broad.