"Making Tens of Millions for Retirement, More Profitable Than Stocks"... Americans Dig Through Their Homes

U.S. Collectibles Market Reaches Nearly 89 Trillion KRW
First-Generation iPhone Trades for Over 20 Million KRW
Collectibles Market Expected to Surpass 100 Trillion KRW by 2030

The first-generation iPhone, released in 2007, is now being traded for well over 20 million KRW in the United States, reflecting the growth of the collectibles market. On October 14 (local time), the New York Post reported that old items are being traded for astronomical prices in the U.S. collectibles market. A prime example is the first-generation iPhone, launched in 2007. Adam Kofrutski, founder of the investment platform Real World Investor, stated, "Look through your drawers and storage for iPhones, game consoles, books, and check what they are worth now." He added, "Many people throw away items that could fund their retirement within a few years," and predicted, "By 2030, the items in your home could be more valuable than stocks."

For the first-generation iPhone, the launch price was $499 (approximately 710,000 KRW), but currently, unopened models are being traded at auctions for over $20,000 (about 28,530,000 KRW). Apple website archive

For the first-generation iPhone, the launch price was $499 (approximately 710,000 KRW), but currently, unopened models are being traded at auctions for over $20,000 (about 28,530,000 KRW). Kofrutski predicted that by 2030, the first-generation iPhone could exceed $50,000 (about 71,330,000 KRW). In fact, at an auction in 2023, a first-generation 8GB iPhone was sold for $63,556 (about 90,380,000 KRW).

The highly sought-after first-generation 4GB iPhone, Apple's very first smartphone, was sold for as much as $190,373 (about 271,570,000 KRW). Kofrutski commented, "Many people don't realize that Star Wars figures or Pokemon cards they played with as children could now cover a house deposit," adding, "The highest prices are paid for items in their original packaging, but products that look almost new can also fetch high prices."

He also cited first editions of Harry Potter, Nintendo game consoles from the 1980s and 1990s, and Super Mario consoles as examples. According to market research firm Grand View Research, the U.S. collectibles market was valued at $62 billion (about 88.443 trillion KRW) last year and is projected to grow to $83.7 billion (about 119.3981 trillion KRW) by 2030.