What's the difference between the terms 'antique', 'vintage' & 'collectible'?

“Collectible” is used so much these days, for antiques, vintage and modern stuff.

For eg, Budweiser steins made a couple decades ago are vintage, but one made last year is a collectible, I presume because folks collect them and it’ll be worth something some day….okay, that could be true for many things, but you get my drift?

So what’s the age cutoff for each term?

asked almost 14 years ago

28 Answers

These are the GUIDES I use when creating a listing [URL removed]

[URL removed] a work of art, piece of furniture, or decorative object made at an earlier period and according to various customs laws at least 100 years ago

[URL removed] Something that is at least 20 years old, but less than 100 years of age.

[URL removed] Something that people collect for sentimental purposes, fads, artist, etc. These can include plates, toys (beanies), glasswear, and you name it, the list can go on and on.

Hope this helps!
Kim ♥

answered almost 14 years ago

My rule of thumb is that an antique is anything that is
100 years or older.

Collectible can be anything that one sees as something they like to own, display and collect. Mix of old and new can be collectible.

Vintage is a broader term. It depends on what category or type of item you are speaking of.
A glassware item can be from the depression era is vintage, but
a record album from the 1970’s can also be considered vintage.

JMHO.

answered almost 14 years ago

I use the same guidelines as Kim.

I take vintage a step further though since it covers such a broad area. I prefer when using the term vintage, to clarify what vintage., i.e., vintage 50’s, vintage 60’s, etc.

answered almost 14 years ago

debdoll
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Cheyenne is right on with those guidelines.

Some items can be a little bit different though. Textiles and automobiles are examples. I believe with cars it is considered antique after 20-25 years. And I have heard people consider textiles antique after 50 years.

answered almost 14 years ago

What Kim said works for me.

answered almost 14 years ago

wallyh
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I thought antiques were 50-100 years and vintage was between 20-50 years old. Wikepedia says so.

answered almost 14 years ago

Thank you for this very good info!

answered almost 14 years ago

nenka
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I’ve always sold by these [URL removed]

[URL removed] At least 100 years old

[URL removed] 50 years to 100 years old.

I’ve thought of “Collectible” as not quite old enough to be vintage but being specific to a timeline, for [URL removed] keep on trucking from the 1970’s, M. Jackson/Madonna styles, the original Cabbage Patch kids, etc.

Over the years I’ve seen “vintage” slowly deteriorate to mean less than 50 years, especially in certain areas like jewelry and as noted above with handbags. If collectors in that area accept the term then I think it would be proper to use it.

answered almost 14 years ago

I agree. Antique 100+ years. Collectable is anything someone loves for themselves. Vintage depends totally on the item. Vintage Barbie is [phone number removed]. It isn’t about how many years ago it was, but when the quality of the product dropped dramatically. It is different for each catagory.

answered almost 14 years ago

I agree with the_seller_inc but some people also believe collectibles can be antiques depends of the item too

answered almost 14 years ago

Good question? And awesome answers.. NOW the problem on my end is I still will not know which is which? lol! But I know it’s time for me to Go SHOPPING for some Vintage, collectables, and More! :) lol

answered almost 14 years ago

Antique is definitely 100 years or older
Vintage is 20+ years or older
Collectible is ANYTHiNG less than 20 years that has a date on it to back it up from the current date} [URL removed] 1989.

answered almost 14 years ago

MONTROSE
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I agree with. 100 years or older for antiques
20 for vintage or older

and collectibles is anything anyone is collecting in the moment. One mans junk is another mans treasure.

answered almost 14 years ago

Cheyenne is right

answered almost 14 years ago

Wonderful information is passed along here, I Also sell these timeline items. Grateful for your post!
Smiles, Cyndi

answered almost 14 years ago

Antiques i think should be 100 yrs or older and vintage certainly does depend on the item …i deal with a lot of vintage handbags and even ones made in the 90’s are considered vintage ..collectibles can be just about anything…good advise here on Bonanazle

answered almost 14 years ago

Sissy is right on,
[URL removed] 100 years or older
[URL removed] 20 years or older
[URL removed] could be anything from A to Z

Wickepedia is written by just folks, and to suit themselves.

answered almost 14 years ago

Cheyenne is absolutle right!

answered almost 14 years ago

Nice to see all the different perspectives!

I was surprised to see many magazine ads called ‘vintage’ when they were only from the 80’s! Maybe I was so shocked because that means I’m almost vintage! But I was rocking back then and still do :) lol

I guess it just depends on one’s perspective.

I won’t mark a fave answer here cuz I really wish I could put a little asterick or NTS (note to self) mark next to several that brought to the table ideas I want to consider when making such verbial determinations in the future.

P.S. I love to play with words and use them in ways that are unconventional; but, there are times when it’s best to use the most proper wording, eh?

answered almost 14 years ago

Thank you all.. Cleaared up a lot for me..

answered almost 14 years ago

jacks
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My thoughts on this are that, According to IRS antiques need to be 100 years. My self I consider social changes as an indicator of being Antique, so myself will consider something antique if it is pre 1940.

As for collectible it is not so age related, all though most would think at least 20-25 years old. But there are many items out there that are newer that are collectible such as computer games and equipment. Collectible can be anything that has a following that people want to collect.

Vintage I consider the same as the old term Circa. Such as a Vintage 1970 Barbie Doll. It says this is in the area of 40 years old. It is is considered a age but is a educated Guess-timate.

Then there is the new Mid Century Term being used for Items 1940-70.

These are my opinions and may not be the same as another persons

answered almost 14 years ago

A well-written article, which supports Cheyenne’s [URL removed]
[URL removed]

including a bit about the term “retro” as [URL removed]

“Then we have the word vintage which originally applied to the age of a bottle of wine. This term was hijacked and is now used to describe item that has cycled back into fashion or less then 25 years old. This term is generally applied to the time period [phone number removed]. The time period [phone number removed] is generally referred to as retro both these terms can be applied to items less then 100 years in age.”

Thanks for this question and all the great answers…I learned a lot!

answered almost 14 years ago

I can’t remember where I read it, but I read that anything that is to be classified as Antique needs to be at least 50 years old, Vintage is at least 20 years old and collectable is just that, something that is known to be a collectable item by folks, like Fenton glasswawre

answered almost 14 years ago

well this is very useful information ty

answered almost 14 years ago

ANTIQUE IS AN ITEM OVER 50 YEARS OLD FURNITURE CARS ETC
VINTAGE IS JEWELRY CLOTHES OVER 50 YEARS OLD
COLLECTABLE ANY ITEM THAT SOMEONE COLLECTS DOLLS, NICK NACKS, TOYS ETC

answered almost 14 years ago

mjzc59
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This is a very good thread. I must agree that Antique would be for anything at least 100 years old, Vintage is for anything 20 years or older and collectible is a broad term for anything that is considered “collectible” like glass wear, comic books, magazines,etc.

answered almost 14 years ago

(!) I would like to point out that ‘retro’ and ‘vintage’ are not the same.

A vintage item is basically an item from the past (+20 years old but less than 100 as stated above by fellow Bonanzlers), while ‘retro’ is a term that is used to describe a new item’s style that was inspired by one from a former era (usually the 50s & 60s).

This is a genuine vintage ‘egg’ chair from the 60[URL removed] [URL removed]

This is a retro ‘egg’ chair that was inspired by the 60[URL removed] [URL removed]

answered almost 14 years ago

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answered over 2 years ago

harmonxjim33
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