How to know which toys are collectible?
Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2025 9:16 am
A toy is considered collectible when it acquires a value —economic or of interest— greater than what it originally had when it was launched on the market, that is, it stops being a simple toy and becomes a valuable object. This increase in value can occur because:
The toy is part of a line or brand that, when complete, increases its price beyond the sum of all its parts.
It belongs to a famous, popular or cult intellectual property (an animated series, film saga, or recognized toy line).
It represents a historic moment within the toy industry that is worth preserving in the best possible quality.
It generates interest among a sector of enthusiasts who seek to obtain it to complete a group of valuable items that share a theme.
Or all of the above.
Furthermore, as in philately or numismatics , the value of a collectible toy depends on several factors and among the most important are:
Antiquity : The more classic or vintage the toy, the greater its value.
Popularity : How sought after the toy was when it came out and how much it is currently sought after.
Rarity : How difficult was it to find the toy before and how difficult it is now.
Quality : the level of physical integrity number database and conservation that the figure maintains.
So, the more classic, popular, hard to get and in better condition a toy is, the more collectible it becomes among connoisseurs, i.e. toy collectors .
Boost your brand by creating your own online store.
What is a collectible figure?
Collectible toys - ranging from model cars, classic dolls, and even building block sets - include collectible figures , which represent a character from a line, series, movie, or piece of fiction. These types of collectibles can mainly be:
Action figures : such as Star Wars , Super 7 , Dragon Ball , Transformers .
Plastic dolls : like Funko POP! , Bearbrick , Bobbleheads , Mighty Muggs .
Fixed or articulated statues : such as Sideshow Collectibles , Hot Toys , Neca , Iron Studios .
And although many of them were originally intended as children's toys, when they became collectibles - due to their popularity, rarity, quality and price - they tend to be attractive items for mature audiences with enough interest and purchasing power to buy them.
Dragon Ball Bandai collectible figures.
What is action figure collecting?
We talk about figure collecting when an enthusiast has as a hobby or pastime acquiring items from the same brand, line or theme, in order to complete or increase the number of members of that particular group.
Thus, a collector of Masters of the Universe action figures , for example, will look for figures that belong to the He-Man universe , whether from the original line or some of its more recent versions, depending on the focus of his collection.
There are more dedicated collectors who look for figures of different types, but that belong to the same intellectual property, such as those who collect all types of Star Wars figures , whether they are toys, dolls or lines aimed at a more mature audience.
Typically, these types of collectors are those who constantly look for different types of items to increase the size of their collections and store or display them, so the condition of the figures must always be optimal and very well cared for.
The toy is part of a line or brand that, when complete, increases its price beyond the sum of all its parts.
It belongs to a famous, popular or cult intellectual property (an animated series, film saga, or recognized toy line).
It represents a historic moment within the toy industry that is worth preserving in the best possible quality.
It generates interest among a sector of enthusiasts who seek to obtain it to complete a group of valuable items that share a theme.
Or all of the above.
Furthermore, as in philately or numismatics , the value of a collectible toy depends on several factors and among the most important are:
Antiquity : The more classic or vintage the toy, the greater its value.
Popularity : How sought after the toy was when it came out and how much it is currently sought after.
Rarity : How difficult was it to find the toy before and how difficult it is now.
Quality : the level of physical integrity number database and conservation that the figure maintains.
So, the more classic, popular, hard to get and in better condition a toy is, the more collectible it becomes among connoisseurs, i.e. toy collectors .
Boost your brand by creating your own online store.
What is a collectible figure?
Collectible toys - ranging from model cars, classic dolls, and even building block sets - include collectible figures , which represent a character from a line, series, movie, or piece of fiction. These types of collectibles can mainly be:
Action figures : such as Star Wars , Super 7 , Dragon Ball , Transformers .
Plastic dolls : like Funko POP! , Bearbrick , Bobbleheads , Mighty Muggs .
Fixed or articulated statues : such as Sideshow Collectibles , Hot Toys , Neca , Iron Studios .
And although many of them were originally intended as children's toys, when they became collectibles - due to their popularity, rarity, quality and price - they tend to be attractive items for mature audiences with enough interest and purchasing power to buy them.
Dragon Ball Bandai collectible figures.
What is action figure collecting?
We talk about figure collecting when an enthusiast has as a hobby or pastime acquiring items from the same brand, line or theme, in order to complete or increase the number of members of that particular group.
Thus, a collector of Masters of the Universe action figures , for example, will look for figures that belong to the He-Man universe , whether from the original line or some of its more recent versions, depending on the focus of his collection.
There are more dedicated collectors who look for figures of different types, but that belong to the same intellectual property, such as those who collect all types of Star Wars figures , whether they are toys, dolls or lines aimed at a more mature audience.
Typically, these types of collectors are those who constantly look for different types of items to increase the size of their collections and store or display them, so the condition of the figures must always be optimal and very well cared for.