Expert Reveals Most Expensive Precious Moments Figurines: Are Yours Worth Hundreds?

Remember those adorable doe-eyed Precious Moments figurines from back in the day? If you’re holding onto any of the sweet collectibles you could be in for a surprise! Some  pieces from the beloved “Original 21” collection are selling for hundreds of dollars right now. We asked an appraiser to reveal exactly what these cherished figurines are worth today—plus the surprising factors that can make or break a sale. Keep reading to discover if you’re sitting on a small fortune!

What are Precious Moments figurines and why are they so beloved?

Precious Moments figurines have graced the shelves of countless homes since the “Original 21” collection was released in 1978. Each of the doe-eyed models was designed by artist Samuel J. Butcher. Before becoming a success with his figurines, Butcher worked as a janitor to supplement his income as a “chalkboard minister.” Faith has always been the guiding factor for Butcher, his family and the rest of the Precious Moments company. They even have their very own Precious Moments Chapel in Carthage, Missouri, where you can view more than 5,000 square feet of hand-painted murals.

Of course, there’s no denying the delightful figurines are everyone’s favorite product from the company. It takes roughly one full year to create each new figurine from concept to distribution, Precious Moments previously told Woman’s World. The company also retires two to three designs every year. Once they retire a design, they literally break the hand-sculpted molds, making these tiny treasures all the more valuable to collectors.

“Precious Moments figurines were a mainstay of 1980s collecting joy,” says accredited appraiser Noralen Curl, JustAnswer appraisals expert and owner of AppraiseAntiques.com. They were both a joy to give and receive. Now, nearly 50 years later, seeing these adorable faces can evoke memories of sweeter, slower times for those of us who remember.”

Chances are, you may have looked at your own collection from time to time and wondered just how much those charming faces are worth today—especially if you’ve been a fan since the very beginning! 

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What determines the value of your Precious Moments figurines

The “Original 21” Precious Moments figurines hold a special place in collectors’ hearts—and that sentimental value translates into real dollars when it’s time to sell.

If you’re wondering if your specific piece might be worth money, you’ll need to consider several details that can impact value at any given time. 

“Factors that contribute to purchase prices include condition, whether it comes with original packaging such as the box, year retired, perceived availability and how and when the item was actually listed by the seller, as well as the stability of current global economies,” explains Curl. 

If you decide to sell, looking at past sales can give you a helpful starting point when pricing your “Original 21” Precious Moments figurines—just keep in mind that each sale is unique, and results may vary.

The reason? “Resale prices do not predicate rarity; sometimes a buyer simply adored the piece, has a nostalgic connection, is replacing a lost or damaged item and simply was not aware that their purchase was one of the original early Precious Moments figures,” she adds. 

What the ‘Original 21’ Precious Moments figurines are worth today

“As an accredited appraiser, we look at fair market value, that being what items are currently going for at resale, which is based on actual past recorded sales on the secondary market—eBay, Etsy and other online sales platforms,” says Curl. “Fair market value differs from asking prices on retail sites and values placed by [antique] price guides. Both the latter tend to be more wishful thinking than realistic.”

Here is her breakdown of what the “Original 21” sold for online over the last year, according to several databases:

• Unto Us, A Child is Born (E-2013) $10 – $25
• Jesus is Born (E-2012) mostly $10 – $25, two high sales of $70 and $95
• His Burden is Light (E-1380G) $10 – $20, one high sale of $40
• Come Let us Adore Him (E-2011) $40 – $75, one high sale of $100
• Love Lifted Me (E-1375A) $5 – $20, one higher sale of $22.75
• Jesus is the Answer (E-1381) $5 – $15, one higher sale of $25
• Make a Joyful Noise (E-1374G) $5 – $18, a couple $25 sales, one high sale of $40
• Prayer Changes Things (E-1375B) $10 – $30
• He Leadeth Me (E-1377A) $5 – $15, in 2024, sales were $20 – $30
• We Have Seen His Star (E-2010) $5 – $20, a few $25 sales and one high sale of $30
• Jesus is The Light (E-1373G) $5 – $15
• Jesus Loves Me Boy (E-1372B) $5 – $10, one higher sale of $17
• Jesus Loves Me Girl (E-1372G) $5 – $15, one outlier sold for $125 in Dec 2025
• Love One Another (E-1376) $5 – $20, a few $25 sales, one $30, $35 and $40 each sales
• God Understands (E-1379B) $5 – $15, a very few $20 and $25 sales
• Smile God Loves You (E-1373B) $5 – $15
• God Loveth a Cheerful Giver (E-1378) $135 – $250, one high sale of $365 in April 2025
• Love is Kind (E-1379A) $5 – $10, one higher sale of $12 and $16.85
• O, How I Love Jesus (E-1380B) $5 – $15, one higher sale of $25
• He Careth for You (E-1377B) $25 – $38
• Praise The Lord Anyhow (E-1374B) $5 – $15, one higher $25 and $28 sales

These numbers can also be helpful if you’re trying to buy pieces for your own collection! While websites like RetiredPreciousMoments.com have listings available for many of the figurines, the prices are on the high side. Instead, consider buying from a site like eBay, where you’re more likely to find figurines that are closer to the prices listed above. For example, the RetiredPreciousMoments.com store is selling “He Careth for You “for $49.99 while some eBay sellers have them listed for $15 and under. 

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The most valuable figurines from the Original 21 collection

The figurines above  are two of the most talked-about pieces Precious Moments produced as part of the “Original 21”. As the first-ever model to be sculpted, “Love One Another” is  the only figurine from that collection to still be made today. You can even purchase one from the company’s official website for about $50. According to their site, Samuel J. Butcher was inspired to make this figurine after seeing his young daughter Tammy sitting on a tree stump chatting with her uncle.

As for “God Loveth a Cheerful Giver,” it became the most valuable figurine from the original collection with an estimated worth of $1,300 at its height. It was also inspired by one of Butcher’s daughters, Debbie, who spent all of her spare money adopting pets from the local veterinarian’s office and finding them new homes. 

One day, she asked: “Daddy, do you have any friends who need a pet? I have some kittens here that I would be glad to give away for free!” They changed the kittens to puppies for the model, but the heartwarming sentiment is still very much intact. The company also shared with us that a batch of these figurines are even more valuable to collectors as there were issues with a typo that read, “Free Puppiess” and a lack of paint on the dogs’ eyes.

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While both of these figurines have fluctuated in value over the years, “God Loveth a Cheerful Figure” still appears to be the piece from the collection that could earn you the most money.

Other valuable Precious Moments pieces worth serious money

Several other Precious Moments could also mean a hefty sale if you decide to sell yours. Here are the collections still worth significant dollars:

• Early Chapel Exclusives (those sold only at the Precious Moments Chapel in Missouri through the 1980s)
• Disney Precious Moments
• Rare or retired nativity sets

If you want to cash in, check with an appraiser or visit the “sold” page on online marketplace websites to see what you could potentially earn.

Whether you’re looking to sell your cherished figurines or simply curious about their value, you now have the expert knowledge to make informed decisions.