Are Hummel, Lladró and Precious Moments Figurines Worth Anything Now?

Quick answer: Some are, but most are worth less than people hope. Common Hummel, Lladró and Precious Moments figurines often sell for modest amounts today, because so many collections are hitting the market at once. The pieces that still bring real money are early marks, retired or limited editions, large or complex groups, and anything in perfect condition. Check the mark on the base, then compare recent sold prices for the exact piece.

If you just inherited a cabinet full of figurines, you are not alone. These figurines were popular gifts for decades, and many are now being sold off by downsizing collectors and their families. That flood of supply has pushed prices down for everyday pieces. The good news is that the right figurine can still sell well. This guide shows you how to tell which ones are worth a closer look.

Why most figurines sell for less than they used to

Figurine prices follow supply and demand like anything else. When these lines were at their peak, buyers paid retail and expected values to keep rising. Today many collections are being sold at the same time, tastes have changed, and many heirs do not want to keep them.

One Arizona auction house described Hummel prices this way: the mass liquidation of collections has flooded the market and forced prices down. It gave the example of an Umbrella Girl that averaged $700 to $800 in 2000 and around $100 by 2015. Another auction house now puts most Hummel figurines in the $25 to $75 range. Common Precious Moments and small Lladró pieces also tend to sell for modest amounts.

That does not mean your figurines are worthless. It means you need to sort the ordinary pieces from the ones collectors still chase.

Hummel figurines: read the mark first

Hummel figurines are based on drawings by the German nun M.I. Hummel (Berta Hummel). The W. Goebel company in Germany began producing them in 1935. Goebel stopped making them in 2008, and production later continued in Rodental under new owners.

The trademark on the base is the biggest clue to age, and age is one of the biggest drivers of value. Here are the main marks, with approximate dates:

• Crown mark: 1935 to 1949. The earliest and usually most valuable.
• Full bee: introduced in 1950.
• Stylized bee and three-line mark: late 1950s through 1972.
• Last bee (V over G): 1972 to 1979.
• Missing bee: 1979 to 1990, when the bee was dropped from the mark.
• Later Goebel marks: 1991 to 2008.

You may also see "U.S. Zone" (used about 1946 to 1948) or "W. Germany" (about 1960 to 1990) near the mark. Both help you date a piece.

In general, a crown or full bee piece can be worth several times more than the same figure with a missing bee or later mark. Each piece also has a HUM model number on the base. That number, plus the mark and the size, is what you need to find true comparables.

Watch for look-alikes. Hummel-style figures made of plastic, plaster or chalkware, and pieces made overseas in the same style, are worth far less than the real Goebel pieces.

Lladró: check the base, then the reference number

Lladró is porcelain made in Spain, known for very fine details like fingers and flowers. The company began using its logotype in 1960. Since 1971, first-quality pieces have carried a blue stamp that reads "Lladró made in Spain." Some very early pieces carry only a small handwritten etching of the name.

A newer piece with no blue mark at all may be a "second," a slightly flawed piece sold by the factory. Seconds usually sell for less than first-quality pieces.

Many pieces also have a number on the base. You can search that reference number in Lladró's own catalog or an independent Lladró database to find the exact name and year.

Do not confuse Lladró with NAO. NAO was introduced in 1968 and is owned by Lladró, but it is its own brand with its own catalog. NAO pieces are simpler and usually sell for less. If you cannot find a piece in the Lladró catalog, check the NAO range.

What tends to sell best:

• Retired pieces that are no longer produced.
• Limited editions with a fixed run and a certificate of authenticity.
• Large figural groups, which generally bring more than single figures.
• Gres pieces, the matte line with muted colors that many collectors like.

Small, common Lladró figures sell for far less than the big, elaborate groups. Condition matters a lot here. Thin parts like fingers, flowers and leaves break easily, and a missing fingertip or a reglued flower can cut the price sharply.

Precious Moments: the Original 21 and annual marks

Precious Moments figurines are based on artwork by Sam Butcher. The first 21 porcelain bisque figurines, known as the "Original 21," were introduced in the fall of 1978 under the name Jonathan & David. Each has an E-number, such as Love One Another (E-1376) or God Loveth A Cheerful Giver (E-1378). Twenty of the 21 have been retired.

Starting in 1981, figurines carried a small annual production symbol on the bottom of the base. The first few are easy to learn:

• 1981: triangle
• 1982: hourglass
• 1983: fish
• 1984: cross
• 1985: dove

Pieces made before the triangle appeared do not have an annual symbol, so collectors look closely at early unmarked bases. Be careful, though. A missing symbol on its own does not prove a piece is early or valuable.

What adds value:

• Sam Butcher's signature, which collectors want most.
• Retired, limited and exclusive pieces, such as Chapel or collaboration releases.
• The original box. One dealer guide estimated a missing box costs 5 to 20 percent of the value, while noting that figurine condition matters more than box condition.

Even many Original 21 pieces sell for modest prices today. The ones that bring more tend to be early, signed, or in demand as part of a set.

How to check what your figurine is worth

Price guides and old insurance appraisals often show retail or peak prices from decades ago. What matters is what buyers are paying now.

1. Write down the details. Note the name, model or reference number, mark, size and any damage.
2. Search sold listings, not asking prices. On eBay, turn on the Sold Items filter. Asking prices show what sellers hope for. Sold prices show what buyers paid.
3. Match exactly. Compare the same model number, same mark, same size and similar condition. A crown mark Hummel and a missing bee Hummel are different items.
4. Use a range. Look at several recent sales and ignore the single highest one.
5. Inspect closely. Look for chips, cracks, crazing and repairs in good light. Check fingers, flowers, wings and halos carefully.

If you have a whole shelf to sort, a scanning app can speed this up. With Moe, you can snap a photo of a figurine to identify it and see its current market value, then decide which pieces deserve a closer look.

The same habit of reading the base applies to other ceramics. Our guide on how to identify valuable art pottery by its marks walks through it for vases and bowls.

Where to sell Hummel, Lladró and Precious Moments

• eBay: a large audience of figurine collectors, and a good place for rare marks and retired pieces.
• Facebook Marketplace: good for local pickup of fragile or common pieces, and for selling small groups.
• Etsy: works for vintage figurines with good photos and clear descriptions.
• Local auction houses and estate sale companies: useful for large collections or high-end Lladró groups.

Listing on more than one site gives you more buyers. If you do that, Moe can cross-list your items and keep buyer messages in one place. For a side-by-side look at the platforms, see where to sell collectibles online.

Tips for getting the best price

• Photograph the base. Show the mark, numbers and any signature clearly. Collectors check this first.
• Be honest about damage. Show chips and repairs up close. Undisclosed repairs lead to returns.
• Bundle the common pieces. Ordinary figurines often sell faster as a lot than one at a time.
• Keep boxes and certificates together with the pieces they belong to.
• Pack like it is glass. Wrap thin parts separately and double box. Breakage in shipping wipes out your profit.
• Be patient with rare pieces. A crown mark Hummel or a retired Lladró group may take longer to find the right buyer.

Frequently asked questions

Are Hummel figurines worth anything anymore?

Many are worth less than they once were, with common later pieces often selling for under $100. Early crown and full bee marks, rare models and large sizes in perfect condition can still sell for much more.

How do I know if my Hummel is valuable?

Check the trademark on the base. The crown mark (1935 to 1949) and full bee mark from the early 1950s are the most sought after. Then note the HUM number and size, check for damage, and compare recent sold prices for that exact piece.

How can I tell if my Lladró is real?

Look for the Lladró name on the base. First-quality pieces made since 1971 carry a blue "Lladró made in Spain" stamp. Look up the reference number in a Lladró catalog, and remember that NAO is a separate, lower-priced brand.

Which Precious Moments figurines are worth the most?

Early pieces from the Original 21, signed pieces, and retired, limited or exclusive releases tend to bring the most. Condition and the original box also matter. Most common pieces sell for modest amounts.

What do the symbols on the bottom of Precious Moments mean?

They are annual production marks that show when a piece was made. The triangle means 1981, the hourglass 1982, the fish 1983, the cross 1984 and the dove 1985.

Are figurines worth more with the original box?

Usually, yes. A matching original box helps buyers trust the piece and can add to the price. Condition of the figurine itself still matters more than the box.