10 Vintage Metal Lunch Boxes You Wish You Still Had Slideshow

10) Star Trek (1968) — $1,450

This highly collectible lunch box is one of the few officially licensed Star Trek products that were sold during the show's initial run. It was a huge success, reportedly selling over 250,000 units, and features the Enterprise on the front, and Kirk and Spock in dramatic action poses throughout. A mint-condition lunch box and Thermos set usually sells for upwards of $500, but has sold in the past for nearly $1,500. 

9) Rocky and Bullwinkle (1962) — $1,600

Maybe one reason that The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show endured is that the humor presented in the show was designed to appeal to both adults and children. The flying squirrel Rocky and the moose Bullwinkle from Minnesota were ubiquitous features on 1960s TV. Although Rocky and Bullwinkle first appeared on TV in the late 1950s, they didn't have their very own lunchbox until 1962. This rare find can fetch up to $1,600 at auction and features Rocky, Bullwinkle, and villains Boris and Natasha.

8) The Beatles (1966) — $1,600

Are you a John, Paul, George or Ringo fan? Beatlemania swept the nation with the arrival of the lads from Liverpool in the 1960s, so it's no surprise that they received the honor of having several lunch boxes made using their likenesses. Beatles fans can (and do) spend crazy amounts of money on memorabilia for the band, but a $1,000 lunchbox/thermos combo? Groovy, baby! This set (actually a steal considering the lunch box has reportedly sold for $1,600 in the past) is currently listed on eBay, so you can make it yours if you need a fancy carrier for your PB&J on Wonder Bread and juice box.

7) The Jetsons (1963) — $1,650

The Jetsons became popular during the space race of the 1960s, so what better way to tote your Tang and freeze-dried ice cream than a Jetsons lunch box? This popular collector's item is valued anywhere from $1,100 to $1,650, with the thermos valued at about $350 or more. This lunch box remains one of the most popular and sought-after collector's items of the 1960s.

6) Dudley Do-Right (1962) — $2,200

Originally from a segment on The Bullwinkle Show, Dudley Do-Right is a goofy cartoon Canadian Mountie who is always foiling his arch nemesis, Snidely Whiplash. Dudley might be dim, but anyone who invested in this lunch box is a genius, since they're sold in mint condition for more than $2,200! 

5) Underdog (1972) —$2,500

"There's no need to fear! Underdog is here!" How could you not love a show that starts like that? Oh how we all love an underdog! Oddly enough, the Shoeshine Boy by day, Underdog by night character was originally conceived as a marketing tool to sell cereal by General Mills. This super-pup's lunch box has sold for up to $2,500 at auction, most likely not to his enemy Simon Bar Sinister.

3) 240-Robert (1978) — $5,222

The TV show 240-Robert isn't exactly a household name these days. This short-lived series followed the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Emergency Services Detail, which extracted hapless citizens from all kinds of bizarrely improbable situations. Weirdly enough, Mark Harmon of NCIS starred as Deputy Dwayne 'Thib' Thibideaux. 240-Robert might not have had the chance to become a classic, but this collectible lunchbox has, for a good reason: It is believed that only five of these lunchboxes were ever produced, for a trade show, and were sold in the Aladdin company store. A former employee, Jim Wheeler, recently sold his extremely rare 240-Robert lunchbox on eBay for $5,222.

2) Toppie (1957) — $6,287.50

Toppie isn't the most recognizable elephant around (that honor would most likely belong to Dumbo), but according to Daryle Lambert, an antiques dealer with 45 years of experience, the mascot originated with the grocery chain Kroger in the 1950s. The store used to provide rewards stamps with purchase that could be redeemed for prizes, this lunch box included! This extremely rare and collectible item has been sold for upward of $6,200 at auction. Remind us to redeem our Kroger points more often!

1) Superman (1954) — $16,000

It stands to reason that the world's most recognizable DC Comics superhero has the most coveted lunch box around. This humble-looking metal lunch box has been reportedly sold for amounts ranging between $11,000 used and $16,000 in mint condition. It is arguably the most sought-after lunch box ever, although that price tag would be most people's Kryptonite!