Hummel Figurine Values: How to Read the Marks and What They Sell For

Most Hummel figurines are worth $10 to $50 each in 2026, far below what they cost new or what older price guides listed. The exceptions are early pieces with the Crown or Full Bee trademark, large sizes, rare models, and pieces in perfect condition, which can bring $75 to several hundred dollars. The bottom of each figurine tells you most of what you need to know. Here is how to read it, what each era sells for, and the best ways to sell a collection.

What Hummels Are

M.I. Hummel figurines are based on drawings by Sister Maria Innocentia Hummel, a German nun, and were made by the Goebel company in Germany beginning in 1935. Production peaked from the 1950s through the 1990s, when they were popular gifts and souvenirs for American families and servicemen stationed in Germany. Many households have a shelf of them.

How to Read the Marks

Turn the figurine over. You should see an incised model number (the HUM number), often a size designator, the M.I. Hummel signature on the base or back, and a trademark (TMK). The trademark dates the piece and has the biggest effect on value.

• TMK-1, Crown mark (about 1935–1949): a crown with WG initials. The oldest and usually the most valuable.
• TMK-2, Full Bee (about 1950–1957): a bee with wings inside a V. Strong collector interest.
• TMK-3, Stylized Bee (about 1957–1964): a simpler, more geometric bee in a V.
• TMK-4, Three Line mark (about 1964–1972): the stylized bee beside three lines of text.
• TMK-5, Last Bee or Goebel Bee (about 1972–1979): a small bee above the word Goebel.
• TMK-6, Missing Bee (about 1979–1991): the Goebel name without the bee.
• TMK-7 and later (1991 onward): crown and Goebel marks, plus later anniversary and special marks.

A “Made in U.S. Zone” or “Made in Occupied Germany” stamp (roughly 1946–1949) adds interest. Dates are approximate, and marks overlapped between periods.

What Hummels Sell For in 2026

By era

• TMK-6 and later, common figurines, small size: $10–$30
• TMK-5 and TMK-4, common figurines: $15–$45
• TMK-3 Stylized Bee, common figurines: $20–$60
• TMK-2 Full Bee, common figurines: $30–$100
• TMK-1 Crown mark figurines: $50–$250+, more for scarce models

By type

• Large figurines (8 inches and up), older marks: $100–$400+
• Lamps and bookends: $40–$150
• Nativity sets (Hummel crèche figures): $150–$600 for a complete set with stable
• Annual plates (1971 onward): $5–$20; the 1971 plate a bit more
• Annual bells and ornaments: $5–$20
• Hummel-style figurines by other makers (Napco, Lefton, Japanese copies): $2–$10

Original boxes add a little, often 10% to 20%. Rare variations, sample pieces, and discontinued models can sell for much more, and are worth researching individually.

What to Check

• Chips and repairs: check fingers, noses, hat brims, umbrellas, and baskets. A tiny chip can cut value by half. Repairs often show as slightly different paint sheen under a bright light.
• Crazing: fine cracks in the glaze lower value.
• Authentic marks: Goebel Hummels have the incised HUM number and the M.I. Hummel signature. Without both, it is likely a look-alike.
• Size: the same model came in several sizes, noted by the number after the slash (for example, a /0 or /I is larger than a /2/0).

Popular Models You Are Likely to Find

Some Hummels were made in very large numbers, so they show up in nearly every collection. The incised number on the bottom identifies the model:

• Merry Wanderer (HUM 7 and HUM 11): the most familiar Hummel. Small sizes $15–$50; large older versions much more.
• Goose Girl (HUM 47): $20–$60 for later marks, more for Full Bee and Crown.
• Apple Tree Girl and Apple Tree Boy (HUM 141 and 142): $20–$75 each, more for larger sizes and older marks.
• Umbrella Boy and Umbrella Girl (HUM 152/A and 152/B): larger pieces, often $75–$250 depending on mark and size.
• Stormy Weather (HUM 71): $50–$200 depending on mark and size.
• Little Fiddler (HUM 2 and HUM 4) and Book Worm (HUM 3 and HUM 8): $15–$60 for common versions.
• Chick Girl (HUM 57): $15–$50.

These are rough ranges for undamaged pieces. The same model can vary a great deal by trademark and size, so always price from the bottom of the piece, not the name alone.

Selling a Whole Collection

If you have dozens of Hummels, sort them first by trademark. Put the Crown, Full Bee, and Stylized Bee pieces in one group; those are the ones to research individually and list carefully. Group the later trademarks in lots of five or ten, priced as a bundle. Many collectors are filling gaps rather than starting fresh, so a clear list of model numbers, sizes, and marks helps them find what they need.

When and Where Hummels Sell Best

Fourth quarter is the best time. Collectors and gift buyers shop for figurines from October through mid-December, and Christmas-themed Hummels (angels, carolers, nativity pieces) sell best then. Prices soften after the holidays.

• Estate sales: common Hummels usually sell for $10–$30, often in bundles.
• Booths and antique malls: grouped displays of older trademarks with clear tags (“Full Bee, 1950s”) sell better than a mixed shelf.
• Online: worth it for older marks, large sizes, and rarer models. Photograph the bottom clearly.
• Collector clubs and auctions: for an entire collection of Crown and Full Bee pieces, a specialized auction may do better than selling one by one.

Cleaning Before You Sell

A light dusting with a soft brush is usually all a Hummel needs. If it is grimy, wipe it gently with a damp cloth and mild soap, avoiding any paper labels. Never soak a figurine or put it in a dishwasher, since water can get inside through the hole in the base. Clean, bright figurines photograph better and sell faster.

Common Mistakes

• Using old price guides. Values printed in the 1990s and early 2000s are far above what Hummels sell for today.
• Pricing a whole collection at the rare piece price. One Crown mark figure does not lift the rest.
• Assuming all are Goebel. Look-alikes are common at estate sales; check for the signature and HUM number.
• Holding out for years. Prices for common Hummels have drifted lower for two decades, and many sellers find it is better to sell now than wait.

If the Collection Is Sentimental

Many families keep a few favorite Hummels and sell the rest. That is a sensible approach: the market is crowded, and the one your mother loved best will mean more on a grandchild's shelf than its resale price ever would.

Have a box of figurines to sort? Snap each one with PocketPrice for a price calibrated to where you will sell. For more on collectibles that dropped in value, read collectibles that lost value, or browse the collectibles price guide.