Collectible toys are hotter than ever. But how to tell — beyond priceless sentimental value — if your Barbies, board games and blocks are treasure or, gulp, trash? Quick & Simple’s “Treasure Hunt” expert, Harry L. Rinker, author of How to Think Like a Collector and host of Whatcha Got? (a national radio show) and harryrinker.com, highlights the lowdown.

1. Pull Together the Whole Package

When valuing a toy, “it’s all about completeness,” says Rinker. The more original parts that are intact, the higher the price an object can fetch. “Collectors don’t want just the toy,” he explains. “They also want the original box or the packaging it came in, along with the accessories and literature inside.” If you can locate a doll’s bottle or a board game’s timer and printed rules, the toy’s value immediately increases.

2. Assess Its Condition

Inspect the toy from arm’s length. Fortunately, light wear of an antique toy usually doesn’t detract much from its value. “Pre-1960 — before toys were mass-produced — the assumption was that a toy was played with, not bought as a collectible to just sit on a shelf,” Rinker says. “With post-1960 mass-produced items, however, those that look like they’ve never been played with are the ideal.”

Tip: If your toy has some wear, leave its restoration to an expert. “Do some light cleaning, but don’t paint or scrub it,” cautions Rinker. “Doing so can create new scrapes, stains or markings that can decrease its value.”

3. Determine Desirability

“A 100-year-old toy can be in great shape, but if nobody wants it, the item is not worth anything,” advises Rinker. What is coveted? For the avid collector, finds would likely be rare antiques or more recent items in mint condition, such as pre-1962 press-steel Tonka trucks and Matchbox cars, action figures (such as G.I. Joe in its original blister pack) and dolls (think Barbie, Chatty Cathy and Suzie Walker). And there is another buyer to consider: People who simply want the toys they had as children (regardless of condition) for nostalgia’s sake.

Today, Rinker notes, the hot toys are from the 1960s and 1970s. But 1980s staples, such as Transformers, Strawberry Shortcake and Cabbage Patch Kids, are becoming increasingly popular. To check whether your generations-old toys are wanted (and determine what price most are selling for), do a search for the exact product on eBay.com, andale.com or priceminer.com.

4. Zero in on the Smartest Place to Sell

The most obvious outlet is the Internet, especially eBay. However, since that site is flooded with toy merchandise, it may not be your best bet. If your product does not sell on eBay, then consider a local flea market or even a garage sale — sometimes you can earn more money in this personal way. If you have pre-1940 high-end toys to sell, get the magazine Antique Toy World (antiquetoyworld.com; P.O. Box 34509, Chicago, IL 60634).

Auctioneers specializing in the sale of toys, dealers and collectors advertise in this magazine. There is also a list of U.S. toy shows. If you have high- and middle-market post-1945 toys, the magazine Toy Shop (krause.com; 700 E. State Street, Iola, WI 54990) is the top source.