collector's item

noun

1. an article or object of particular interest or value because of its uniqueness or scarcity.

collector's item

noun

1. a thing regarded as being exquisite or rare and thus worthy of the interest of one who collects such things

Word History and Origins

Origin of collector's item¹

First recorded in 1930–35

Idioms and Phrases

An object of great interest, value, or rarity, as in This necklace is a collector's item. Originating in the early 1900s as collector's piece, a usage still common in Britain, the term in its present form is occasionally transferred to persons as well, as in The Beach Boys became a collector's item on the tour. [c. 1930]

Example Sentences

“Some kids came up to me at a gig one time and asked if I had any of Earwigs’ original 45s, which had become a collector’s item, but at the time I didn’t know it,” said the Orange County-based musician who still gigs regularly in O.C. and Nashville.

From Los Angeles Times

The collector’s item is selling for hundreds of dollars online.

From Los Angeles Times

Top level members also got what was billed as an “ultra rare collector’s item” — a ticket with Dodger Stadium dirt from the game in which the Dodgers clinched the National League West championship against the San Diego Padres.

From Los Angeles Times

Mr Jackson Jnr said the restored console was "definitely" a piece of equipment that could be used to make music again, but equally could be a collector's item.

From BBC

The collector’s item – handed out in change to a local man – is the same shape as an ordinary 20p piece.

From BBC