If you’ve been hanging on to that faded Nirvana shirt from your high school days, you might be sitting on a small fortune. According to a new study analyzing band tees sold on marketplace sites from December 2023 to September 2024, certain music merch can fetch a serious price on the resale market—and some of your old concert tees could be more valuable than you ever imagined.
Leading the pack with the highest average resale value is Nirvana, whose tees boast an impressive $279 price tag. While the grunge icons remain a beloved part of rock history, it’s safe to say their logo emblazoned across a well-worn T-shirt has become more than just a tribute to the band—it’s now a collectible treasure.
Nirvana’s dominance on this list is followed by the iconic Red Hot Chili Peppers, whose shirts fetch an average of $241. The band’s enduring popularity, particularly among fans of their late ’90s and early 2000s era, has helped keep their merch highly coveted. Third on the list is Earth, Wind & Fire, with their tees averaging $235. From their electric live shows to their cultural impact, these funky legends have found new life in the resale market.
Other names making the cut include OutKast ($225), Guns N’ Roses ($188), Green Day ($186), and even Paul McCartney ($180). You may not expect to see McCartney in the same league as rock heavyweights, but his timeless influence has made his tour merch just as valuable in the eyes of collectors.
And if you think your vintage shirt collection is just worth a few bucks, think again—some pieces are fetching truly jaw-dropping amounts. The highest-valued shirt in this study belongs to the Grateful Dead, whose 1994 black panther design has been known to sell for up to $2,750. Right behind it is a rare Nirvana long-sleeve from their “In Utero” tour, priced at around $2,000. And don’t forget Björk’s 1995 Post Tour tee, which has sold for a jaw-dropping $1,895.50.
So, before you toss that old tee in the donation pile, you might want to check its value online. Who knew nostalgia could be this profitable?
