Antiques, Collectibles, and Antique Collectibles: The Differences and More

Is it antiques and collectibles, or antiques versus collectibles? What's the difference between collectibles and antique collectibles?

If you've often asked yourself and tried to seek out if there's any difference between such things, you may have found a lot of conflicting facts and opinions.

It's probably no secret that the antiques and collectibles trade can be an extremely prosperous market for collectors and enthusiasts alike. Everything from Pokemon cards, antique coins, and advertising to vintage children's toys has soared to all-time price highs thanks to nostalgia, rarity, and renewed interest in the past.

People often utilize the words antique and collectible interchangeably, and many may not know there is a difference between them. To add further to the confusion, people usually toss in the terms antique, retro, and vintage with collectibles.

We'll review the distinction between these terms and the difference between antiques and collectibles.

Antique? Vintage? Retro? Aren't They The Same?

The words vintage, retro, and antique often become muddled in conversation. It's easy to think anything called these three are all just 'old.' But there's a distinction between all three of these terms.

Reto items do not refer to the item's age in years but to the style in which the piece is designed. Retro items are unique, as they can be mass-produced and still considered retro and valuable, whereas genuine antiques cannot be reproductions.

Vintage items can range from 20 to 99 years old, and anything between those years can be considered vintage, whether clothing, furniture, décor, lighting, or everyday objects.

For an item to be called antique, it is universally agreed by experts and collectors in most countries that the item must be at least, or over, 100 years old. In the United States, U.S. law states that for an item to be considered and labeled antique, it must not be mass-produced and must be at least or over 100 years old.

What is a Collectable?

Like the word retro, for an item to be a collectible, how old it is does not define what a collectible is. Many collectibles are mass-produced, some far more recent and contemporary than their aged counterparts.

The term and word collectibles alone simply implies an item that was purposefully created to be collected. What that item is can vastly vary in size, shape, age, function, and form. Common collectibles include baseball cards, coins, stamps, beanie babies, vintage glassware, and vinyl records. Many collectibles don't reach the U.S. legal threshold to be called antiques.

Collectibles can be precious both monetarily and sentimentally. Some collectibles are scarce, which makes them very expensive and sought after. At the same time, other collectibles can be considered personal treasures that mean a lot to the individual collecting them.

There is also the term ""antique collectibles,"" which adds another layer of complexity and confusion to understanding collectibles.

What Is an Antique Collectible?
An antique collectible is an item at least or over 100 years old, not mass-produced, and purposefully created to be a collection or to be collected by someone.

What Makes Collectibles Financially Valuable?

The financial value of a collectible often depends on how many people seek to own it. Some are extremely rare, which makes their value skyrocket. In general, the value of a collectible item depends on its rarity, popularity, and overall condition.

Collectibles are also relatively common, and not all of them are as monetarily rare and valuable as some marketers may have you believe, primarily if the item is still being produced.

Some collectibles that are currently in high demand and can be financially valuable are:

• Original oil paintings featuring equestrian themes, iconic celebrity portraits, and idyllic landscape scenes.
• First edition or scarce books. For example, a first edition of Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking in good condition can be valued at $2000 and upward.
• Women's Suffrage memorabilia from 1890-1917.
• Mid-century barware from post-WWII.
• Original vintage concert posters
• Lunchboxes
• Mid-20th-century duck decoys
• RCA Victor Radios and Record Players
• Handwoven Persian rugs
• Comic Books
• Anchor Hocking Jadeite kitchenware
• Handel, Pairpoint, Fulper, and Tiffany lamps
• Rare postcards
• Violet-colored mason jars were originally an error but became popular around 1905

Should I Invest in Collectibles? Advantages and Disadvantages.

There are no set motives as to why someone may become a collector. Some may do so simply for profit, some are purely passionate people seeking out items that make them happy, and others may choose to collect for social recognition or create a legacy for investment purposes. All are valid.

Only you can decide whether or not you should invest in collectibles, as it depends on what you love, your monetary situation and budget, and whether or not you are even interested in collecting items.

However, if you would like some assistance in deciding, we can share some of the advantages and disadvantages of collectibles.

Benefits:

• Personal. Whether from personal satisfaction, nostalgia, or an emotional connection, it gives you joy every time you see it. Investing in collectibles allows you to follow your passion and display it however you like, how you want.
  
  
• Social. Being a collector, no matter what stage of experience you may be in often means researching and reaching out to fellow collectors. Many collectors build and maintain online and in-person communities, giving you a social network of people sharing your interests. Sometimes, these social networks may travel together to swap items, visit auctions, and help each other find missing items in their collections.
  
  
• Diverse Investment Portfolio. As an investor, if you are seeking a group of unique assets, collectibles may be the ideal choice. For example, they can help you diversify your portfolio and be a fantastic backup to counter losses due to inflation and stock market crashes.
  
  
• Potential Financial Return. Many turn to collectibles, hoping their expanding collection will rise in value over time so that the collector can rely on potential financial returns or pass them on to friends and family members.

Disadvantages:

• Market Fluctuations. Many times, how valuable a collectible can be fluctuates wildly. Circumstances and prices can change very quickly. For example, Hummel Figurines, rosy-cheeked children below umbrellas and playing, first appeared in Germany in 1935. U.S. soldiers brought them home for wives and children, and the German company that created them noticed, raising the production and prices. They began selling them at dime stores for $4-$5 each. In the 60s and 70s, the figurines made their way into Hallmark stores and airport gift shops and could retail up to $1,500, which prompted the company to produce thousands of special edition Hummels that resulted in Hummel figurines' monetary value plummeting.
  
  
• Counterfeits. Unfortunately, the market is glutted with widespread counterfeits, and in some cases, it can be challenging to distinguish between genuine and fake.
  
  
• Cost. If you are a collector seeking items that will give you a high financial turn, the saying, ""It costs money to make money,"" is very true here. A collector would have to have the financial means to sink investment money into high-value collectibles now and trust that they will steadily increase in monetary value over the years. That does not also cover fees for hiring a professional to appraise the item, plus shipping, handling, transporting, and marketing fees, which can impact the price for a single item. Last but never least, as a dealer, investor, or hobbyist, you may have special taxes that must be covered, especially if the collectibles investment is mad""Ground mirror, one of t""e through a qualified retirement plan. If so, they are subject to tax per IRC Section 408(m)(2).

Whether you decide to begin your journey in collectibles or were simply curious to understand the difference between antiques and collectibles, we hope we've been able to assist you. While you're with us, don't forget to take a moment to browse our stunning selection of antique reproduction furniture, as there may be a dream piece perfect for displaying your collection!