Monopoly is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year. First published in 1935 by Parker Brothers, the board game has sold more than 275 million copies worldwide and has been translated into 47 languages. In Britain, a London edition was produced by Leeds-based Waddingtons, helping embed the game in households and gatherings across the country. The game has become a fixture in family gatherings, Christmases, and rainy weekends, and during the Second World War British intelligence even produced a version with hidden escape tools sent to prisoners of war.
Collectors have long sought rare editions that can command high sums. A Franklin Mint Collector's Edition set routinely sells for more than £100, with Davies saying ranges of £300 to £400 for many versions. The sets often come in a mahogany box with the board built in and feature gold-colored playing pieces. A 2010 auction of a complete Monopoly set handmade by its creator Charles Darrow in 1933 fetched $146,000 for the Museum of Play in New York.
Earlier this month, a set that included one of the game tables and a certificate of authenticity sold for £1,841. A limited East Grinstead edition that included gold playing pieces, one of just seven produced, was reportedly sold for around £2,000 in 2020. Wartime editions, which often come with a spinner instead of a die and wooden playing pieces due to shortages, also fetch higher sums; one such wartime set sold for around £70 on Ebay earlier this year. A collector aware of these nuances noted that the value of a set hinges on originality and condition, with sales receipts and dated packaging helping verify provenance.
Kayleigh Davies, an antiques specialist with Auctionet, said collectability is tied to originality, unique components or links to media franchises, and that verifying origin can significantly affect price. Second World War era Monopoly sets are particularly sought after when they maintain authentic features such as a spinner and wooden pieces that reflect shortages of the time.
Beyond Monopoly, other board games can yield handsome returns at resale. The 1960s James Bond themed game 007 Underwater Battle, for example, has sold at auction for between £200 and £800. If you own a rare board game, researchers urged emailing the editor with details and provenance for potential feature consideration.
The Royal Mint has also joined the anniversary celebration with a Monopoly 50p commemorative coin. The coin, issued to mark the board game's 90th anniversary, can be bought for £15 and is available in colour, silver and gold options. It features Mr. Monopoly, playing pieces and property cards, and includes a lenticular feature on the GO symbol that shifts to the M money symbol when tilted. Rebecca Morgan, director of commemorative coin at the Royal Mint, said the coin honors nearly nine decades of family trading on kitchen tables and that collectors will treasure it as a unique addition to their collections.