Department 56 Village Value: Most Sell for $20–75, Rare Retired Pieces $1,000+
Most retired Department 56 village pieces sell for $20 to $75, often less than they cost new. The company has made hundreds of buildings since 1976 and collectors bought them by the thousands, so ordinary pieces are plentiful. The valuable ones are the early Original Snow Village buildings from the late 1970s and early 80s, the first limited editions in the Dickens Village series, and a few short-lived recent pieces. The best of them sell for $1,000 to $3,000. Here's which ones, and how to price yours.
The most valuable Department 56 pieces
| Piece | Series | Years | Approximate value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dickens Village Mill | Dickens Village | 1985–86 | $1,000–$3,000 |
| Cathedral Church | Original Snow Village | 1980–81 | $1,500–$2,500 |
| Boss Shirley's House | Snow Village (Christmas Vacation) | 2015 | $1,500–$2,500 |
| Todd & Margo's House | Snow Village (Christmas Vacation) | 2014 | $1,600–$2,000+ |
| Adobe House | Original Snow Village | 1979–80 | $1,500–$2,000 |
| Mobile Home | Original Snow Village | 1979–80 | $1,000–$1,500 |
| Mission Church | Original Snow Village | 1979–80 | $1,000–$1,350 |
| Norman Church | Dickens Village | 1986–88 | $800–$1,400 |
| Empire State Building | Christmas in the City | 2000–05 | $700–$1,000 |
| Flatiron Building | Christmas in the City | 2006–10 | $700–$1,000 |
What makes a piece valuable
Short production. The early Snow Village buildings were made for only a year or two before retiring, and far fewer collectors were buying then. The Mobile Home, for example, was retired early after problems with its paint.
First limited editions. The Dickens Village Mill was the first numbered limited edition in Dickens Village and is one of the series' "Big 3" pieces collectors chase.
Pop-culture tie-ins that retired fast. Boss Shirley's House and Todd & Margo's House, from the National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation line, were recent releases that sold out and retired quickly.
Box and completeness. The original box and sleeve matter a lot. So do the small parts: an intact trailer hitch on the Mobile Home, the original light cord, any accessories. A piece missing its box can lose a third or more of its value.
Condition. Chips, paint loss and cracks matter, especially on chimneys and fences, which break easily.
Why most pieces aren't worth much
From the late 1980s to the 2000s, Department 56 villages were one of America's biggest collecting hobbies. Many people built huge displays and kept every box. Now that collection is being sold by the families of collectors, and there are more sellers than buyers. Ordinary retired buildings typically sell for $20 to $75, and some accessories and figures sell for a few dollars. You'll see some at yard sales for $20 that once retailed for more.
If you're selling a large village, it's usually more practical to sell in themed lots than piece by piece, except for the valuable buildings above.
How to check what you have
- Look at the base. Department 56 pieces have the name, series and year stamped underneath, and usually an item number.
- Find the original box and match the item number.
- Check the series. Original Snow Village, Dickens Village, New England Village, Christmas in the City, Alpine Village and North Pole Series each have their own collectors.
- Search eBay for the exact piece name and filter to Sold items.
- Sell in October to mid-December, when prices are highest.
The Valued app will identify a building or figure from a photo and give you a starting estimate. For other Christmas collectibles, see Hallmark ornament value and vintage Christmas ornaments value.
Common questions
Are Department 56 villages worth anything?
Most retired pieces sell for $20 to $75. Early Original Snow Village buildings, the Dickens Village Mill and a few short-run pieces sell for $1,000 or more.
What is the most valuable Department 56 piece?
The Dickens Village Mill (1985–86) sells for $1,000 to $3,000, and the Original Snow Village Cathedral Church and the Christmas Vacation Boss Shirley's House each sell for up to about $2,500.
Does the box matter for Department 56?
Yes. Collectors expect the original box and sleeve, and a piece without them often sells for a third less or more.
When did Department 56 start?
In 1976, with six buildings in what's now called the Original Snow Village.