Here are some
thoughts regarding grading, condition and values that you should
take into account. These little toy figures were not intended to
be collectible – they were meant to be toys. Grading
is subjective and everyone has a different way of grading
whether they choose a number system, like 1-10 or the
poor/good/excellent/near mint/mint rating system. Each rating
system is flawed by the fact that no two people usually look at
something the same way and therefore grading is skewed. But one
thing everyone does agree on is that condition is everything.
When it comes to placing a value, the better condition items
command more value while those in lesser condition are valued
far less. Some collectors are not concerned with the condition
of the figures they collect while there are those that strive
to have the very best. Neither is right or wrong, it just comes
to personal preference, and in some cases, budget. Another
subjective matter is value. How do you come up with a value for
which you would purchase a particular figure and at what value
would you sell a figure? Unfortunately, there is no formula or
precise method and because of changes in the market, what is hot
and commands high dollars today may not be tomorrow and the
price will decline. Therefore, you are forced to use your best
judgment, research recent sales of like items in similar
condition and determine what is right for you. Some items will
sell for less and others may be purchased at a higher price then
what is suggested on this site. But, keep in mind that this
information is
simply that, another tool to assist you in making an informed
determination in grading condition and value and not intended to
set a particular price.
How do you
determine value? First you need a benchmark or better, a
starting point for which to grade from and that usually means to
start with the best of the best. Most collectors refer to a
casting that is the best of the best as mint and therefore
giving that example the highest dollar value. By definition,
mint means in perfect condition as when first made. If you look
closely at almost every figure, you will find some minute flaw
such as a micro chip, slight paint wear, a scuff,
slightly bent saber tip, miss-matched painted eyes or even a factory casting flaw that would result in a less then mint rating.
Packaging is yet another factor and a bent or soft corner,
discolored blister, cracked blister, vein or crease on the card,
discoloration to the card, staple holes and punched or
un-punched blister packs are just some examples of what would
equate to less then mint packaging. As you can see, exceedingly
few figures loose or packaged would meet the true mint
criteria. With that said, a more precise term that is a little
more forgiving would be best suited for providing values on this
site. By definition, pristine means immaculate – so clean
and neat as to look as good as new. Pristine is the right term
to give a near flawless casting, loose or packaged, that is as
close to perfection one could expect.
Using the term
pristine, we now must give it a value. Here lies a speculative
matter similar to grading and that is the setting of one
specific number to represent top dollar. Again lays the
possibility of no two people agreeing on the same top dollar
value just as they might not view something the same way.
Therefore, a value range would be better suited when supplying a
value to a pristine figure. This way, you get a better feel
for what to expect in a low versus high market.
Now, how do you
determine what is pristine and what is not. Pristine would fall
right in between mint and near mint. Mint of course being
perfect without any flaws, pristine being immaculate where there
might be one or two very insignificant flaws, then near mint
being close to mint with only several minor flaws and so on.
Below will hopefully give a better representation on how to
grade. When determining condition of a packaged item, you must
consider both the condition of the figure itself and the
packaging. There are times when one would be in better
condition then the other therefore; you are forced to classify
the item at the lesser condition. For example, you may have a
near mint figure with a very small paint rub on a hand but
the card has a large crease running through the center and a
crack along the seam of the blister – this would rate overall at
very good even though the figure is near mint.
Mint
– Perfect, no flaws.
Pristine
– Immaculate, only one to two minor flaws.
Examples regarding loose; an almost undetectable
minute paint rub, a slightly bent saber tip, tight joints.
Examples regarding packaged; a very slight vein
on the card, very slight shelf wear on the box, very clear
blister without dents or cracks, un-punched card, un-opened
box.
Near Mint
– Close to mint, with only several minor flaws.
Examples regarding loose; a small paint rub, a very small amount of wear
along a sharp edge, one slightly loose joint.
Examples regarding packaged; a slight crease on
the card, a soft bend on one corner of the card, a slight ding
on the box, opened box but un-played with set with all contents
intact.
Excellent
– Very high quality with a few flaws.
Examples regarding loose; a few small paint rubs, a
slight scuff on an arm or leg, small area of paint loss,
slightly loose joints.
Examples regarding packaged; several veins on the
card, a feathered corner or two, slight crease to the blister,
slight crush to the box, slight discoloration to the box,
possibly played with set or just the contents removed from the
box but put back with all contents intact.
Very Good
– Some signs of possible play wear or poor storage.
Examples regarding loose; medium sized paint rubs,
several scuffs on the figure, noticeable paint loss.
Examples regarding packaged; a small crack to the
blister, noticeable creases on the card, a slight wave to the
card, minor tears to the box, definite signs of play time but
still displayable, complete contents with slight wear.
Good
– Definite signs of play wear.
Examples regarding loose; fair amount of scuffs
or
scratches, very bent saber tip, loose joints.
Examples regarding packaged; blister may be
slightly separated from the card, a very wavy or bend to the
card, slight discoloration to the blister, weak or worn box,
considerable playtime to the contents, missing pieces making an
incomplete set.
Fair
– Very well used.
Examples regarding loose; many scuffs or
scratches, very loose joints, very noticeable paint loss,
missing weapon.
Examples regarding packaged; card is weak and
frayed, has many creases or a slight tear, the blister has
pulled away from the card or has many dents and or cracks, the
box has torn or missing flaps or shows damage to the sides,
badly damaged corners and several pieces missing from the
contents.
Poor
– Deplorable.
Examples regarding loose; majority of paint
missing, sloppy joints, missing weapons and/or accessories, very
worn looking.
Examples
regarding packaged; the card is badly torn or a large piece is
missing, many cracks and crushing to the blister, extremely worn
or severely damaged box, many missing or damaged pieces.
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