Precious Moments figure may have precious price tag

This is the headline that started it all: “Your Precious Moments figurine could be worth thousands.”

The “Today” show touched off a little frenzy when a story last week about Precious Moments collectibles pointed out one figurine that might be worth a stack of bucks.

The iconic child figurines with their recognizable teardrop-shaped eyes hail from Carthage, Mo. The figurine suddenly in the news is called “God Loveth a Cheerful Giver” and was one of the original 21 Precious Moments collectibles released in 1979. It depicts a little girl giving away free puppies.

That figurine, widely considered the most valuable of all Precious Moments pieces, “has had valuations placed on it … in excess of $2,000,” Paul Burton, a spokesperson for Woolvey Fine Antiques & Collectibles, told “Today.”

“I don’t believe I have seen one actually sell for more than half of that, although they are still … listed for sale in that price range,” Burton said.

The figurine originally retailed for $15 but now sellers on eBay ask hundreds of dollars for it, though it’s unclear how much actually get.

Those words set off a minor commotion on Facebook, where comments ranged from “maybe we should have held onto mom’s Precious Moments after all” to “do you have this one, Grandma?”