But not play with?
My parents are extremely precious over material things. Example..Their car is very basic, 15 years old but my Dad will park it miles away from anyone to make sure it's "safe".
They refuse to come to my house unless I move one of our cars onto the road outside and free up a space on the driveway. It's a very quiet road, not main road or anything.
They have a toy at their house...a particular vehicle that my just turned 2 year old is obsessed with. Every time he goes to touch the toy they are repeatedly saying be careful, ignoring conversation around them and watching him closely, then grabbing it at every opportunity.
I lost it this morning and said to hide the sodding thing and to put it away when we visit because it caused a huge tantrum. He was playing with it nicely and they snatched it when he was distracted. Annoying when I'm teaching him that we don't snatch etc. 
It's worth about £15, not a collectible. Something that if he did break it, I would replace immediately.
They've always been tight but this is too far imo. But I'm also very laid back about material things so might be being unreasonable.