Vintage Christmas plates are some of those things that secretly lie in estate sales and thrift stores buried among ordinary china. However, a few plates are actually moneymakers, like the first year 1895 Bing & Grondahl plate; it sells for over a thousand dollars today.
So, if you happen to inherit your old collection of Christmas china or come across an attractive Christmas plate at a thrift store, this article is what you need. Learn which vintage Christmas plates collectors seek and what they’re worth.
What Makes Old Christmas Plates Valuable?
There are some factors that make an antique Christmas plate even more valuable.
- Firstly, first-year plates will perform much better than the subsequent editions from the same line.
- Secondly, original boxes and authentication certificates are extremely important.
- Thirdly, condition is a must because small defects such as crazing can reduce its value dramatically.
- Last but not least, provenance. The plate that has an original receipt or belongs to a set will be worth much more money than an ordinary single.
11 Highly Valuable Antique & Vintage Christmas Plates to Know
The following are the makers and patterns collectors can’t stop chasing. Each one has its own identification signs and values, so read the notes before you buy or sell.
1. Royal Copenhagen “Madonna and Child” (1908)
Sold for $1,300
Royal Copenhagen launched its Christmas plate in 1908 with Christian Thomsen’s “Madonna and Child,” in that iconic blue underglaze that has become the hallmark of the Royal Copenhagen factory. It is the first plate in the brand’s Christmas line-up, which makes it special.
Collectible plates from the early years until the 1920s have always fetched good prices; a notable example being the 1910 “The Magi” plate.
- Estimated Value: $200 to $500 for good early examples
- Production Years: 1908 (first year of series)
- What to Check: Underglaze blue mark, three wavy lines
2. Spode Christmas Tree Plates (1938 to Present)
Sold for $145 (set of 20)
This pattern was invented by Harold Holdway in 1938 for the American market and proved to be one of the best-selling casual dinnerware patterns in America. The Santa Claus standing at the top of the tree appeared because Harold Holdway never saw a Christmas tree in reality.
Earlier plates are decorated with a green band (pattern S2133); the plates with the crimson band (S2134) are rare.
ID Note: The first-year 1938 plate carries “Wishing You a Merry Christmas 1938” on the back.
- Estimated Value: $150 to $600 for 1938 originals
- Production Years: 1938 to 2009 (Copeland), 2011+ (Portmeirion)
- What to Check: Copeland Spode mark, green or crimson band
- Quick Notes: Look for hand-coloring on pre-1962 pieces
3. Tableworks Marmalade Christmas Goose Plates
Sold for $315 (set of 16)
Made in Japan during the 1990s, this pattern from International Tableworks shows three white geese with a red ribbon, holly, and berries on a warm beige base, bordered in green.
The Marmalade pattern comes in other varieties; however, this Christmas edition with the red ribbon is the collectible version.
- Estimated Value: $10 to $20 per plate; $300+ for large sets
- Production Years: Marmalade line 1986 to 1997
- What to Check: Backstamp 8868, three geese with ribbon
4. Royal Worcester “Holly Ribbons” Plates
Sold for $335 (set of 6)
Holly Ribbons is among the most popular contemporary Christmas designs. It’s made on bone china at Royal Worcester in England and features red ribbons with holly, mistletoe, and gold-banded 22-karat designs on white backgrounds.
Due to its discontinuation in 2012, the prices have risen sharply.
- Estimated Value: $50 to $80 per dinner plate, sets much higher
- Production Years: 1987 to 2012 (discontinued)
- What to Check: Royal Worcester mark, 22k gold rim
Value Note: Green-rim Holly Ribbons variation is the rarer find.
5. Johnson Brothers Pink Christmas Tree Plates
Sold for $300
The Old Britain Castles pattern has origins dating back to 1913; the Christmas Tree edition is pursued by collectors. It features a Christmas-themed green tree, which is found at the center of the pink border depicting castles.
Since this is an offshoot of a popular pattern during the Christmas season, sets consisting of four plates will go for impressive prices.
- Estimated Value: $200 to $400 for four-plate lots
- Production Years: Old Britain Castles from 1913 onward
- What to Check: Pink transferware border, green tree
6. Bing & Grondahl “Behind the Frozen Window”
Sold for $68
The “Behind the Frozen Window” from 1895 is the very plate that started the collector Christmas plates. The design by Frans August Hallin depicts the profile of the Copenhagen skyline in relief, with an edition of just 400 plates printed.
In subsequent years, there have been Danish winter landscapes, but nothing comes close to the 1895 original. Those plates are worth the most.
- Estimated Value: $2,000 to $4,000+
- Production Years: 1895 (first edition)
- What to Check: Blue-and-white cobalt, relief-cut skyline
7. Villeroy & Boch “Naif Christmas” Plates (1980s)
Sold for $115 (set of 8)
The pattern was designed by Corsican artist Gérard Laplau for Villeroy & Boch in the 1980s. It has illustrations of a naïve nature featuring family or village life, sometimes including biblical elements.
The pieces are manufactured in Luxembourg and Germany using fine porcelain. Sets of six salad plates can fetch a good price.
- Estimated Value: $25 to $90 per plate, $500+ for full sets
- Production Years: 1980s onward
- What to Check: Laplau signature, Luxembourg mark
- Quick Notes: Toy’s Delight is the newer sister pattern
8. Fitz and Floyd “St. Nicholas” Plates (1978)
Sold for $185 (set of 12)
“Fitz & Floyd’s ‘St. Nicholas’ pattern, designed in 1978, features Santa Claus riding on his sleigh in hand-painted style produced in Japan. The pattern is considered to be among the earliest and highly collectible Christmas Fitz & Floyd patterns.
Dinner plate sets of four pieces usually exceed $130. Salad plates measuring 7.5 inches and oval platter sized 14 inches are sought by collectors the most.
9. Lenox “Christmas Trees Around the World” (1991 First)
Sold for $40
This line was introduced by Lenox in 1991 through its USA plate, and it lasted for over 30 years. Each year’s issue is represented through a different country’s Christmas tree on an ivory china plate decorated with 24-karat gold bordering.
Given the long lifespan of the series, each individual plate is relatively inexpensive, although there are exceptions in some countries.
- Estimated Value: $20 to $80 per plate, $600+ for full sets
- Production Years: 1991 to 2020s
- What to Check: Lenox hallmark, 24k gold rim
- Quick Notes: Original red Lenox box adds value.
10. Hummel Goebel “Heavenly Angel” (1971 First Edition)
Sold for $12
The Hummel plates were produced by Goebel annually from 1971 to 1995 as a celebration of the company’s centennial year. In particular, “Heavenly Angel” (HUM 264) is the first one in this collection and is 7½ inches wide, featuring 33 stars on the edge with a distinctive “three-line” TM-4 mark.
The Hummel plate series ended in 1995; however, the 1971 issue is the most expensive one.
- Estimated Value: $15 to $60 typically, higher boxed
- Production Years: 1971 (first), series ran to 1995
- What to Check: TM-4 three-line mark, HUM 264
11. Avon Christmas Memories Plate Series (1981 First Edition)
Sold for $5
Avon released the Christmas Memories porcelain plate collection in 1981, with the first one being either “Country Christmas” or “Bringing Home the Tree.” These plates are gold-trimmed and made in England. The value of plates from subsequent years decreases but the 1981 and some plates from the 1980s can be sold at a good price in their original box.
ID Note: The earlier Christmas plates, made between 1973 and 1980, are made by Enoch Wedgwood.
- Estimated Value: $10 to $50 boxed, higher for firsts
- Production Years: 1981 to late 1980s
- What to Check: 22k gold trim, Avon backstamp
Not all vintage Christmas plates will make you a fortune. But a few can be valuable enough. It would take you five minutes to check the backstamp and maker, identify the pattern, and assess condition to tell if yours are valuable.
If you happen to have any of the following, better photograph them, research their backmarks, and then look up similar plates on eBay.
