Hi Sam,

Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.

Monopoly began not as a celebration of capitalism, but as a critique of it. The game was created in 1903 by Elizabeth Magie, a writer and social reformer, who patented The Landlord’s Game to demonstrate the economic dangers of land monopolies and to promote the ideas of economist Henry George, particularly the belief that land ownership concentrated wealth unfairly. Her game included two rule sets—one cooperative and one monopolistic—to show contrasting social outcomes.

During the 1920s and early 1930s, homemade versions of the game spread informally, especially among Quaker communities, where rules evolved and street names were localized. Charles Darrow learned the game, slightly modified it, and sold it to Parker Brothers in 1935, who marketed him as the sole inventor. Parker Brothers later acquired Magie’s patent, largely sidelining her role.

Monopoly became significant because it emerged during the Great Depression, when fantasies of wealth and control resonated deeply with players. Ironically, a game designed to warn against monopolies became one of the most successful commercial board games in history. Today, Monopoly is significant both as a global cultural icon and as an example of how ideas—and credit—can be reshaped by commerce.

The original Parker Brothers Monopoly sets from the classic era (1935–2008) included a specific number of paper bills, and by tradition the classic U.S. edition contained the following stock of money in seven denominations:

20 × $500 bills (orange)
20 × $100 bills (beige)
30 × $50 bills (blue)
50 × $20 bills (green)
40 × $10 bills (yellow)
40 × $5 bills (pink)
40 × $1 bills (white)
That’s a total of 240 individual bills in a classic set, representing $15,140 in Monopoly currency held in the bank for play.

Additionally, a complete set would have:
8 metal (lead-based alloy) cast tokens: Battleship, Cannon, Iron, Top Hat, Thimble, Boot, Wheelbarrow, and a Racecar (early sets sometimes varied slightly).
32 houses (green)
12 hotels (red)
28 deeds, one for each property on the board (22 streets, 4 railroads, 2 utilities).
16 Chance cards
16 Community Chest cards

I've found a few circa 1935 complete Monopoly sets that have sold at toy auctions recently, most bringing prices between $50 and $100.

Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:

A vintage Parker Brothers Monopoly board game
circa mid 1930s
Purportedly complete
24 by 24 inches
CONDITION: With some wear commensurate to age and playing
PROVENANCE: Inherited
$ 50-100*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.

Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, or questions/concerns, and thank you again for using Mearto.
~ Delia