Action Figure Jargon 101: Collecting & Valuing Terms

As I was doing some research on how to list my old MOTU toys, I had to search around for info about some confusing abbreviations I found.  Two sites were helpful for me, so I want to list them here for reference.

For more how-to rating info, see my previous post: https://nostalgiainabox.wordpress.com/2010/07/27/rating-action-figure-condition/

1.) eBay:

Get to know the specialized terms that help collectors organize their figures and collections.

• A/O: All Original. The doll comes complete with everything it came with originally.
• Book value: Price of a particular figure.
• Collectible: Any action figure that you can collect. The most valuable collectible action figures are in high demand and low supply.
• Exclusives: Exclusive figures are often found at retailers that can order in large quantities. These retailers ask for figures that will only be available at their stores.
• HTF: Hard to find.
• Limited edition: Figures that are not produced in large quantities. Often figures that are not expected to sell well will find themselves with the moniker “Limited Edition.”
• Mail-in premiums: Mail-in premiums were originally only offered through the mail. Often you needed to clip and send in “proofs of purchase” for the figures.
• MIB: Mint in box. Factory condition in original box.
• MIP: Mint in package. Similar to MIB except all accessories are in their packages.
• Mint & complete: The figure has all the accessories and is in excellent shape.
• MNB: Mint, no box.
• NM: Near mint.
• NRFB: Never removed from box.
• Prototype: Prototype action figures are designs that never made it to production. These were often factory-only figures to help designers and marketers develop the product. Possibly the most famous prototype is the Boba Fett with the firing rocketpack.
• Semi-exclusive: Semi-exclusives are similar to exclusives, but are often offered to more than one store. However, the stores that receive semi-exclusives are often not in the same geographic area.
• Shortpacks: Shortpacked action figures arrive in a limited quantity compared to other figures in the line. Sometimes this is done due to higher production costs, expected limited demand, or to specifically make one figure more valuable.
• Variation: Variation action figures have been changed. Often a mistake in production is noted and the figure is pulled, fixed, and then reissued. Variations can become valuable since they are usually limited in supply.

via eBay Guides – Action Figures Buying Guide

2.) Toy Catacomb:

What is the “C” Scale?

The “C” Scale is a grading system used to grade new and used figures on a descending scale of C9.5 to C1.

Below is the “C” scale we use to grade our inventory @ Toy Catacomb.

• C9.5 – Figure is in mint condition, without any visible flaws or defects. Expect a high price because it’s very rare to find a figure like this.
• C9.0 – Figure is in near mint condition with very few minor flaws (barely noticeable unless you search hard).
• C8.5 – Figure has some very minor areas of wear and may have small flaws.
• C8.0 – Figure has minor paint/sticker wear, may have minor stains, discoloration, and stress marks but no damage.
• C7.5 – Figure has some play, paint/sticker wear and may have some stains, discoloration and stress marks.
• C7.0 – Figure has play wear, moderate paint/sticker wear and may have moderate stains, discoloration, and stress marks. Figure is still collection worthy up to this point.
• C6.5 – Figure has more play and paint/sticker wear, and may have stains, discoloration, and stress marks. Figure may have a broken part.
• C6.0 – Figure has heavy play wear, paint/sticker wear and may have heavy stains, discoloration, and stress marks. Figure may have one or more broken/repaired parts.
• C5.5 – Figure has heavy wear damage, repairs and stains/discoloration.
• C5.0 – Figure has many flaws, wear, tears, stains/discoloration and may be broken.
• C4.5 – Figure has major flaws, and play wear (tears, stains/discoloration) and may be broken.
• C4.0 – Figure shows severe play wear, damage and may be used for parts.
• C3.5 – Figure has many usable parts and major damage.
• C3.0 – Figure that has some usable parts and major damage.
• C2.5 – Figure that has few usable parts and major damage.
• C2.0 – Figure has very few useable parts and severe damage.
• C1.5 – Figure is in very poor condition.
• C1.0 – Figure cannot be salvaged for parts. We throw these out.

Other Terms

• LOOSE – Figure is without packaging
• MOC – Mint On Card
• MOSC – Mint On Sealed Card
• MIB – Mint In Box
• MISB – Mint In Sealed Box

via Toy Catacomb: http://www.toycatacomb.com/info/cscale.htm