Activities Sports & Athletics G.I. Joe Vintage Collectibles: Prices and Values Print Sports & Athletics Other Activities Collecting Cigars Baseball Bicycling Billiards Bodybuilding Bowling Boxing Car Racing Cheerleading Extreme Sports Football Golf Gymnastics Ice Hockey Martial Arts Professional Wrestling Skateboarding Skating Paintball Soccer Swimming & Diving Table Tennis Tennis Track & Field Volleyball Learn More By Barbara Crews Barbara Crews Barbara Crews is a lifelong collector who was featured on A&E for her collections. She has contributed to Antique Trader, Today’s Vintage, and more. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on 04/24/19 G. I. Joe, "America's Movable Fighting Man" was introduced to boys in 1964 with four 12-inch action figures (Action Soldier, Action Sailor, Action Marine, and Action Pilot) and 75 supporting products, such as vehicles and accessories. Each figure also came with dog tags. It was a gamble for Hasbro, whether boys would take to them or whether they'd be shunned as dolls. They needn't have worried. A Black soldier was introduced in 1965, with more soldiers in 1966, as well as a talking G.I. Joe a year later. In 1967, Hasbro tried to introduce a nurse, but she sold poorly; thus, she's a valuable collectible. Joe's military service ended in 1968; then he became an adventurer: Aquanaut, Astronaut, Frogman, and Underwater Diver. Since these toys were heavily played with, condition means a lot in valuing your collectibles. The original figures had 21 moveable parts and painted hair. In 1970, the heads changed to have flocked hair. Eight-inch figures came out starting in 1977, and following the popularity of the smaller Star Wars action figures, similarly sized G.I. Joes emerged in the late '70s and early '80s—several hundred, in fact, tied in with comics and the Saturday morning cartoon. The figures that attract collectors, though, are the originals from the 1960s. 01 of 05 G.I. Joe Watch Courtesy of Hake's Americana and Collectibles Deep plastic case with raised eagle and "GI Joe" logo on top. Gilbert ©1966Size: 1.25" x 2.5" x.5"Condition: Near MintDate Sold: September 2008Auction Price: $172.50* 02 of 05 Original G.I. Joe Set Courtesy of Hake's Americana and Collectibles All four, sailor, marine, pilot and soldier are 100% complete with slight wear. Original Set of Four - 1964Condition: Fine/VFDate Sold: January 2007Auction Price: $977.50* 03 of 05 G.I. Joe Jeep Courtesy of Hake's Americana and Collectibles First version with box noting "Realistic Engine Sound." Some pieces are missing and engine sound/searchlight not working. Hasbro 1965Size: 12" x 23.5" x.14"Condition: Displays FineDate Sold: January 2007Auction Price: $265.50* 04 of 05 GI Joe Prototype Courtesy of Geppi's Entertainment Museum This is the actual prototype of G.I. Joe that was created by Don Levine in 1963. 05 of 05 Breeches Buoy Equipment on Figure © Hakes.com The complete set consists of working model breeches buoy, yellow slicker jacket w/USN on left chest, yellow slicker pants, blinker light, orange flagged buoy with rope, flare gun and brown boots. Navy paints, shirt, and hat are also included along with the black painted hair figure. HasbroCirca 1960sCondition: Very FineDate Sold: March 2013Pre-auction estimate: $100 - $200Auction Price: $370.42* *Includes 15% Buyers Premium