Your old National Geographic magazines could be worth big bucks today, here's how to check

If you’re wondering whether old National Geographic magazines are worth anything, the answer is yes! The magazines are a collector’s item and can be worth tens of thousands of dollars if you know what you’re looking for.

Since the first issue came out in October 1888, the magazine has had thousands of issues internationally, and for the first 14 years, it was printed in black and white. In 1904, an editor decided to create a few full-page images that boosted the magazine’s profile, and eventually, they printed the magazine in color.

Many factors determine the value, and they are:

Age: Older issues are more valuable and if you have the first issue of the magazine, you could be anywhere between $4,000 up to $100,000 richer. The second, third, and fourth issues are valued at $2,000 to $5,000 each.

The 1904 issue is also very rare and valuable since it's the first issue that contains images.

Completeness: A complete magazine contains the original maps or other inserts that came with the issue.

Condition: Mint condition copies (no damage or wear) are most valuable. While copies in good condition can fetch a good price depending on rarity and collectability. And copies with stains, creases, missing images, pages, or without its cover can lose up to 80 percent of its value.

Single issue or part of a collection: Usually, a single issue is worth more than the same issue sold as part of a collection, but a complete collection of key issues can be very valuable depending on the condition.

If you're interested in locating back issues of National Geographic, you have a few options.

You can purchase them online through the National Geographics back issues site or call 1-800-777-2800, but they don't have staff to assist with archive searches, so you'll have to use the Archive search option. Or check eBay, and specifically the National Geographic section to get an idea of prices whether buying or selling. Your search can be filtered by publication year and month, name, condition, and price. You can also search for used National Geographic magazines on Etsy, used bookstores, vintage shops, collectors' sites, and more.

The best way to determine the value of your National Geographic magazines is to educate yourself. Look at your magazines, check the publication date, the condition, and look for inserts like maps. Then look for your magazine, or similar issues published around the same time online, and check their asking price and final sale price.

Editor's note: This article was originally published on May 2, 2023. It has since been updated.