Vintage Lighters: How to Determine Value

A question that frequently comes up in collector circles is: “How do I figure out how much my vintage lighter is worth?” Unfortunately, there isn’t one simple answer, but I can give you some direction depending on your reason for asking.

Why Are You Valuing Your Lighter?

Before diving in, it helps to know why you want to place a value on your lighter. Common reasons include:

1.      Pure curiosity

2.      Resale value

3.      Insurance

Let’s go through them—starting with insurance.

Insurance Value of Vintage Lighters

If you need an insurance value, you’ll want a professional appraisal—just like with fine art or antiques. Appraisals typically cost $75 and up (https://worthwiseappraisers.com/what-appraisals-cost/), and for good reason. Appraisers don’t just give a number; they provide a detailed report that meets compliance requirements. If your lighter is worth less than $75, it may not be cost-effective. But if you have a collection, you might be able to work with an appraiser on a group or project basis.

Resale Value and Collector Curiosity

Now, let’s talk about resale and curiosity—where most lighter enthusiasts fall.

As someone who collects and sells lighters, resale value is something I pay close attention to. I buy hundreds of vintage lighters each year, clean them up, restore them, and resell them to people who will appreciate them. If you’re curious about the value of a lighter, I recommend taking the same approach I use when buying and selling.

One important note: lighter values can shift quickly without a clear reason. Unlike fad collectibles, vintage lighters follow more niche collector trends. That said, here are three key tools to help you assess value.

3 Ways to Determine Vintage Lighter Value

1. Use a Reference Guide

A must-have is The Handbook of Vintage Cigarette Lighters by Stuart Schneider and Ira Pilossof (get it at Amazon).

While published in 2015 (so prices may be dated), it’s an excellent identification tool. It features 800+ lighters with images, making it easier to figure out what you have.

I also frequent https://www.toledo-bend.us/VCL/index.asp. This is a website compiled by Frank Dutton. If you are getting into collecting lighters, you'll visit this site often.

2. Research Recent Sales

The best way to know what collectors are paying today is to look at actual sales data.

eBay: If you have an account and have sold at least one item, you gain access to their research tool. This shows you what items have sold for over the last 3 years. That dashboard will look something like that picture below. It will let you type in what you're looking for and if will provide you all the items that sold under that critia within your selected time frame. If you come up dry, check your spelling!

WorthPoint.com: Another valuable resource—especially if you don’t plan to sell on eBay—is WorthPoint. While it requires a membership to see actual values (though they often offer a free trial), the platform pulls data from multiple marketplaces, giving you a broader perspective. That said, it doesn’t capture all eBay sales and can sometimes lag behind. As a professional, I use both eBay’s research tools and WorthPoint to get the most complete picture. WorthPoint also offers additional features that make it especially worthwhile for serious collectors or those who buy and sell other antiques. Here’s a preview of what the numbers look like; clicking on individual items provides even deeper insights.

3. Ask the Community

Don’t underestimate collector communities. There are several vintage lighter groups on Facebook where people will often give you a ballpark estimate. On Reddit, there are also groups, though they sometimes have quirky restrictions around posting lighter content. Maybe I'm too old for the platform, but it could work for you.

Be prepared for disclaimers like “it depends on condition, timing, demand…”—it might be clear as mud, but with patience, you’ll usually get some helpful insights.

Final Thoughts

Determining the value of a vintage lighter isn’t always black and white. Whether you’re insuring a collection, considering resale, or just curious, you’ll need to combine research, reference tools, and community insight. At the end of the day, the real worth of your lighter may not just be in dollars—but in the history, craftsmanship, and memories it carries. If you ever have questions or comments, or would like help restoring your lighter, please reach out.