The monopoly game piece retired in 2017 when Hasbro removed the thimble from the classic token lineup after a public vote. That decision ended a run of more than 80 years for one of the game's original playing pieces. Many fans were surprised that a small sewing accessory had survived so long in a board game about buying property.
The change also raised questions about how Hasbro picks tokens, what happens to retired pieces, and whether your old thimble is now worth money. This guide covers the full story, the voting process, collector value, and practical steps for anyone sorting an old Monopoly set.
Why the Thimble Was Retired in 2017
The thimble lost a global fan vote that Hasbro ran in early 2017 to refresh the token lineup. Hasbro announced the result on March 17, 2017, and confirmed the thimble would be replaced. The company framed the change as a way to keep the game relevant for modern players.
The vote drew millions of participants across more than 180 countries, according to Hasbro's announcement. Fans chose among a set of candidate tokens, including a T-Rex, a penguin, and a rubber duck. The T-Rex won and joined the game, while the thimble was dropped.
Hasbro's reasoning focused on changing household habits. Fewer people sew at home today, so the thimble felt dated to younger players. The company also noted that token updates help keep the brand fresh.
- Vote format: fans picked from a shortlist of new tokens and could also vote to save existing ones.
- Winner: the T-Rex replaced the thimble.
- Timing: the new set shipped later in 2017.
This was not the first time a monopoly game piece retired. Hasbro has swapped tokens several times since the 1930s, including the removal of the cannon and the horse and rider in 2000.
How to apply this: check the copyright date on your Monopoly box. Sets printed before late 2017 usually still include the thimble.
The Full History of Retired Monopoly Tokens
Token changes are older than most players realize, and the thimble is only one entry on the list. The original 1935 edition included items like the iron, the purse, and the lantern. Over the decades, Hasbro retired several of them as production costs and player tastes shifted.
The iron was a notable casualty. Hasbro retired the iron in 2013 after another fan vote, replacing it with a cat token. That decision followed the same playbook used when the monopoly game piece retired four years later.
| Token | Retired | Replaced by | What to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | 2013 | Cat | Look for a flat, dark-gray token |
| Cannon | 2000 | New token set | Check sets from the 1990s |
| Horse and rider | 2000 | New token set | Confirm the rider is attached |
| Thimble | 2017 | T-Rex | Check the box copyright year |
| Purse | 1950s era | Other tokens | Verify against early editions |
Collectors track these changes because early-production tokens often carry more value. A complete set from a specific year is easier to date when you know which tokens were available.
The pattern is consistent: Hasbro uses votes and market research to decide which pieces stay. Each retirement generates press coverage, which in turn drives interest in older sets. The thimble is the most famous example of a monopoly game piece retired in the modern era, but it will not be the last.
How to apply this: photograph your token set and note the box year. That record makes it far easier to identify a retired piece later.
How Hasbro Chooses Which Pieces to Retire
Hasbro treats token selection as a marketing decision, not a random one. The company looks at cultural relevance, manufacturing cost, and fan engagement before removing a piece. When the monopoly game piece retired in 2017, the process included a public campaign with media coverage across many countries.
The company has said in press statements that it wants tokens to reflect how people live today. That logic explains the shift toward animals and modern objects and away from household tools.
A few factors tend to drive retirements:
- Low recognition among younger players: tokens tied to outdated habits lose appeal.
- Fan votes: Hasbro often lets the audience decide, which builds buzz.
- Design refresh cycles: periodic updates keep the product line current.
- Production simplicity: simpler molds can be cheaper to make at scale.
Hasbro's own brand team has described these votes as a way to "engage fans" in the game's evolution. The approach turns a product change into a news event, which is useful for a brand that relies on nostalgia.
There is no fixed schedule. Some tokens lasted decades, while others were cut within a few years of introduction. No one at Hasbro has said which monopoly game piece retired next is already decided behind closed doors.
How to apply this: follow Hasbro's official newsroom if you want early notice of future token votes. That is where announcements appear first.
What Your Retired Token Is Worth Today
Most retired tokens are worth very little on their own, but complete vintage sets can sell for meaningful sums. The value depends on age, condition, and whether the piece is part of an intact set. A loose plastic thimble from a 2010s set is common and cheap.
Older pieces from the 1930s through the 1950s are the ones collectors chase. Metal tokens from that era were made with different materials and often show wear that helps date them.
A useful benchmark comes from eBay sold listings, which show actual completed sales rather than asking prices. Searching "vintage Monopoly token" there gives you a realistic range. You can also check eBay directly for completed sales on specific pieces.
- Common modern tokens: usually sell for a few dollars or less.
- Mid-century metal tokens: often fetch more when part of a complete set.
- Rare early pieces: value rises sharply with documented provenance.
Condition matters more than most sellers expect. Scratches, bent edges, and missing paint all reduce value. A monopoly game piece retired in 2017 is still easy to find loose, so scarcity alone will not lift its price.
How to apply this: before listing a token, search completed sales on eBay for the same piece and year. That gives you a grounded price instead of a guess.
How to Identify and Preserve an Old Monopoly Set
Identification starts with the box, not the tokens. The copyright date, the publisher name, and the artwork style all narrow down the production year. Parker Brothers published the game for decades before Hasbro acquired the brand.
Once you know the era, compare your tokens against a reference list for that year. Collectors' forums and price guides maintain these lists, and they are more reliable than memory.
Preservation is straightforward but easy to get wrong:
- Store pieces in a dry place: humidity damages paper boards and metal tokens.
- Keep the original box: it carries the date information and adds value.
- Avoid harsh cleaning: polishing metal tokens can remove original finish.
- Photograph everything: a dated photo record helps with insurance and resale.
For research, BoardGameGeek hosts detailed edition histories and user-contributed photos. It is one of the most complete public databases for board game editions.
A common scenario involves a family set found in an attic. The tokens look ordinary, but the box date reveals it predates a major redesign, which raises interest.
How to apply this: photograph the box date and every token, then store the set flat in a dry closet away from sunlight.
Knowing when a monopoly game piece retired gives collectors a reliable shortcut for dating a set long before they check the box.
A monopoly game piece retired from play often signals a set made before the 1950s.
Frequently Asked Questions About monopoly game piece retired
What year was the Monopoly thimble retired?
Hasbro announced the thimble's removal on March 17, 2017, after a global fan vote. The T-Rex replaced it in sets shipped later that year. If you own a set printed before that date, the thimble is likely still inside. The monopoly game piece retired only after the vote results were finalized, so early 2017 sets can still include it.
Can I still buy a thimble token separately?
Yes, replacement tokens are widely sold on resale sites and by specialty game part sellers. Prices vary by condition and whether the piece is original or a modern reproduction. Check that the seller specifies the era, since modern casts look similar. A single monopoly game piece retired decades ago may be harder to source than the 2017 thimble.
Was the thimble the only piece removed in 2017?
No, Hasbro's 2017 vote changed the lineup more broadly, though the thimble drew the most attention. Other tokens have been swapped in different years, including the iron in 2013. Each change follows a separate announcement. Knowing which monopoly game piece retired in a given year helps you date a set accurately.
Do retired tokens increase the value of a full set?
Sometimes, but only when the set is complete and from a collectible era. A missing token usually lowers value more than a retired token raises it. Condition and box completeness matter most. If a monopoly game piece retired from your set's era, confirm all other pieces are present before valuing it.
Why did Hasbro retire the thimble instead of another token?
Hasbro said the thimble no longer matched modern household habits, since home sewing declined over the decades. The fan vote reinforced that view by favoring a dinosaur token. The company has used similar reasoning for other changes. Each monopoly game piece retired reflects a mix of fan input and brand strategy.
Conclusion
The thimble's exit was a small change with a long backstory. Here are the key points to remember:
- Hasbro retired the thimble in 2017 after a global vote, replacing it with the T-Rex.
- Token changes date back decades, including the iron in 2013 and the cannon in 2000.
- Most loose modern tokens are worth little, but complete vintage sets hold real value.
- Box dates and token reference lists are your best tools for identification.
Your next step is simple: pull out any old Monopoly set, photograph the box date and tokens, and check completed sales before you assume a piece is worthless. The monopoly game piece retired story shows that small details often carry surprising value.
