Moomin mugs can be found in many homes in the Nordics, but despite their frequency, can become real valuables on the second-hand market.
Due to unique designs that are updated time and time again, there are several copies of Moomin mugs that can fetch many thousands of dollars for the seller.
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News24 have talked to Sofia Hagelinpress officer at Tradera, about which Moomin mugs have been offered for the highest price over the years.
Here are the ten most expensive Moomin mugs ever sold on Tradera.
10. Peace
First up is the Moomin mug “Peace”.
– This sky blue mug began to be manufactured in 1996 and has a high collector’s value even though it was in production right up until 2002, says Hagelin.
In September 2020, the mug was offered for SEK 6,000 on Tradera.
“Peace”. Photo: Trade.
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9. Christmas greeting
Every winter and every summer, Arabia creates unique designs on Moomin mugs. Some of these editions are particularly valuable to collectors.
– One of Arabia’s seasonal releases is the Christmas mug, and those with Christmas motifs that were produced between 1997 and 2002 are fine collector’s items to keep an eye out for.
In May 2022, one of these “Christmas mugs” was sold for SEK 7,345 on Tradera.
– Even the mugs with Christmas motifs from 2004 and 2005 are popular, but don’t fetch quite as high prices yet, says Hagelin.
One of these “Christmas mugs” was sold for SEK 7,345. Photo: Tradera.8. Moomin mug Pink
In the design of “Moomin Mug Pink” the Moomintroll and Snoring Lady are sitting and tinkering and tinkering on a bench. In the background you can glimpse Lilla My. Just like “Moomin Mug Green” which is next in line, this mouse has serial squares.
– It was sold for SEK 13,000 in July 2019 on Tradera and is popular among collectors, says Hagelin.
“Moomin Mug Pink”. Photo: Trade.
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7. Moomin mug Green
Despite its frequency on the second-hand market, “Moomin mug Green” has become a bit of a luxury item.
– A real 90s classic that sometimes appears on the second-hand market is the green mug with Moominpapa in a hammock. It features two cartoon squares, something unique to this green mug and the pink one above.
For example, in November 2023 it was sold for SEK 13,600 on Tradera.
“Moomin Mug Green”. Photo: Tradera.6. Millennium
To celebrate the new millennium, Arabia created a unique design for a mug. The “Millenium” mug has been sold on Tradera for SEK 14,500.
– Although it is not as unusual as the aforementioned, this is a variant that many still value highly.
“Millennium”. Photo: Tradera.5. The Moomintroll
– This rare Moomin mug is called “Moomin troll” and was manufactured by Arabia Finland in the late 1950s, Hagelin explains to Nyheter24.
A copy of the mug was sold for SEK 21,500 in January 2021.
“The Moomintroll”. Photo: Trade.
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4. Sea Breeze Platina
“Havsbris Platina” costs a little extra for a reason, explains Hagelin.
– To celebrate Arabia’s 150-year ceramic heritage, an exclusive mug was produced. The exclusive mug is called Havsbris Platina and was only released in 5,000 numbered copies. The mug is a unique collector’s item and could only be purchased by participating in a special lottery.
In June 2023, a copy was sold for SEK 25,000, and in July for just over SEK 20,113.
However, it has been sold for between SEK 14,000 and 15,000.
“Sea Breeze Platina”. Photo: Tradera.3. Moomin daydreams
The third most expensive Moomin mug on this list is adorned with a design inspired by the book “Dangerous Midsummer”. It goes by the name “The Moomintroll Daydreams”.
– The valuable mug was made for Arabia’s museum in 2005.
In the last two years, it has been sold on several occasions and usually costs around SEK 30,000. In June 2023, the home was offered for SEK 32,573.
“The Moomintroll Daydreams”. Photo: Tradera.2. The Fazer mug
In 2004, 400 copies of a special Moomin mug were produced for the Fazer cafe in Helsinki. The Fazer mug, which was sold under the name “Moomin mug Fazer 323/400”, has gone for between 116,000 and 145,000 kroner each.
– Breathtaking sums that might make everyone look for an extra time if it can be hidden somewhere, says Hagelin.
In March 2022, it was sold on Tradera for SEK 167,000.
The Fazer mug. Photo: Tradera.1. Diving with seashells
The most expensive Moomin mug ever sold on Tradera is the mug called “Swimming with seashells”.
– The prototype of the 2006 “Swimming jump” is called “Swimming with seashells” and was very close to going into production. So close that approximately 300 copies had already been produced when the design was changed, Sofia Hagelin tells Nyheter24.
“Swimming with Shells” is the rarest of all the Moomin mugs, which also explains its placement on this list.
It was sold on Tradera in October 2021 and then went for a whopping SEK 236,478.
The most expensive Moomin mug ever sold on Tradera. Photo: Trade.