Figure collector terms and abbreviations

[B41RD]

ive seen some users on the forum that don't understand some of the terms used when referring to figure collecting, its understandably frustrating when slang terms are used when you don't understand what they mean so i thought id go over it for the guys and girls who maybe don't know what some of the abbreviations stand for so here they are and i hope this helps you:


MOC: Mint on card

MIB: Mint in box

MIP: Mint in package

MOMC: mint on mint card

CASE FRESH: means the packaging and contents are in mint condition, usually fresh from factory shipment.

NRFB/NRFP: Never removed from box/package

M: Mint

NM: Near mint

VG: Very good

G: Good

F: Fair

P: Poor

HTF: Hard to find

VHTF: Very hard to find

CARDED: Figure is still on original backing card.

BOXED: Figure is still in original box.

LOOSE: Figure is no longer in it's original box or card.

COMPLETE: Figure has all of its original accessories.

PUNCHED: The hole used to hang the card on a peg in stores has been knocked out.

UNPUNCHED: The hole used to hang the card on a peg in stores has not been knocked out.

CNP: Complete with no package (usually the same as "Complete")

AO: All original

EX: Exclusive

PRO: Prototype figure (often extremely rare)

CON EX: Convention exclusive (could only be obtained at a special convention)

FS: Factory sealed

SHORTPACKED: Means that less of one particular figure was released than the other figures in that line.

VAR: Variation.

MAIL AWAY: Figure could only be obtained through a mail in offer from the toy's manufacturer or other promotion.

LE: Limited Edition

SHELF WEAR: fading of the pictures, scratches or bends of the plastic that don't affect the quality of the contents inside, all due to constant exposure of possible public handling and/or hauling of an item unprotected.

[Luck V3]

What's the difference between...
MOC: Mint on card, MIB: Mint in box and MIP: Mint in package? I just assumed if the packaging was unopened and in good condition as far as little to no scratches no dents etc it was mint.

[RAAM582]

I never understood what Mint meant, oh what does card mean too?

[Luck V3]

adjective
4. being in its original, unused condition.
5. unused or appearing to be newly made and never used: a book in mint condition.

[the_red_wings_fan]

Some people use MOMC as well. Mint (figure) on mint card

[B41RD]

@ luck - nothing, they all mean the same thing i just put them in as some people use different forms as a matter of personal preference, for example id call something moc (mint on card) another person might call it mib (mint in box)

@ raam - mint basically means perfect condition and card is reference to the card that the figures are hung from, if somethings on card it basically just means its in the box.

[B41RD]

Some people use MOMC as well. Mint (figure) on mint card

added, thanks.

[Fat Budz]

Mint on Card was more popular with GI Joes and hotwheels etc. that were actually released via a cardboard backing with bubble / blister pack. I would say the GoW figures are more MIP because its just one giant plastic blister pack. You may want to include "shelf wear" as an item description as thats very common for action figures.

[B41RD]

Mint on Card was more popular with GI Joes and hotwheels etc. that were actually released via a cardboard backing with bubble / blister pack. I would say the GoW figures are more MIP because its just one giant plastic blister pack. You may want to include "shelf wear" as an item description as thats very common for action figures.

shelf wear meaning ... ???

[Luck V3]

shelf wear meaning ... ???

light scratches, little dings etc?

[Fat Budz]

Shelf wear can be fading of the pictures, scratches or bends of the plastic that don't affect the quality of the contents inside, or in the instance of the box sets or 12" marcus, the cardboard is bent, torn, faded, or just looks like its been sitting on this shelf and moved around for a while. Really common in chain stores. It is also common from stores like bigbadtoystore.com who ask you to upgrade to collector grades I.E C7, C9 grade for a premium fee.

[B41RD]

Shelf wear can be fading of the pictures, scratches or bends of the plastic that don't affect the quality of the contents inside, or in the instance of the box sets or 12" marcus, the cardboard is bent, torn, faded, or just looks like its been sitting on this shelf and moved around for a while. Really common in chain stores. It is also common from stores like bigbadtoystore.com who ask you to upgrade to collector grades I.E C7, C9 grade for a premium fee.

added, thanks.

[EdieKaye]

Glad this was stickied. Very useful, I didn't know what half of them were. Thanks.

[B41RD]

your welcome kaye

[Reyals Reign]

The Gears figures are not released "on card", or in a "package" really. They are released on a "clamshell" casing. Clamshell's are usually the ones that receive the most "shelf ware", because they are all plastic, and susceptible to getting the usual scratch/and or ding because they aren't as "sturdy" as a "carded" or "boxed" figure.

[B41RD]

The Gears figures are not released "on card", or in a "package" really. They are released on a "clamshell" casing. Clamshell's are http://forums.epicgames.com/newreply...7508639usually the ones that receive the most "shelf ware", because they are all plastic, and susceptible to getting the usual scratch/and or ding because they aren't as "sturdy" as a "carded" or "boxed" figure.

i own some 1995 vintage jonny quest carded figures and the neca packages seem sturdier then they do, having said that they are 15 years old so they are bound to lol but i dunno the neca packages seem very strong and reliable.

[RAAM582]

Claamshell is a pure ***** to open though.

[B41RD]

Claamshell is a pure ***** to open though.

i havnt had the pleasure of opening many but from the little experience i have they are kind of addictive to open in my opinion.

[RAAM582]

You need a damn good knife.

I kind of don't understand all these collector terms. Why can't we just say it's new/used, open/closed, etc?

[eyeH8]

What's the difference between...
MOC: Mint on card, MIB: Mint in box and MIP: Mint in package? I just assumed if the packaging was unopened and in good condition as far as little to no scratches no dents etc it was mint.

Alot of amazon and ebay sellers can advertise their merch as 'mint' becuase if its sealed, then the contents ARE in fact mint. And if you buy figures to open, then everything is love. But if you dont open your stuff, its a pain in the ass, and in my opinion deceiving. anytime I order any figure, I ALWAYS inquire about the condition of the package.

nice thread baird... I see why it was stickied. you might want to add "case fresh" as well. This term gets thrown around alot to describe an item that is mint in mint package, like it just came out of a fresh case from the MFG.

[RAAM582]

Anyone know where I can find Series 2?

I found a store on Amazon that has Series 2 Box Set for $60. Then I would have to buy a Theron Guard without a Helmet. But frankly I'm afraid of Amazon stores, I'm not sure if they are trying to rip me off, give me my item in ****ty conditions.

[THALASTDRAGON]

this is a good thread to have. im a huge action figure collector and i know on several forums i frequent that some people who are often new can get lost in tha terminology.

[B41RD]

this is a good thread to have. im a huge action figure collector and i know on several forums i frequent that some people who are often new can get lost in tha terminology.

thanks dragon, im glad it helped you bruv.

[Reyals Reign]

i own some 1995 vintage jonny quest carded figures and the neca packages seem sturdier then they do, having said that they are 15 years old so they are bound to lol but i dunno the neca packages seem very strong and reliable.

Eh... depends on the thickness of the clamshell. I know that the AvP NECA fig's were in some really easily banged up clamshells, but maybe they improved this over time.

I really don't like opening process either. It is a b**ch to open them sometimes, but all you need is a nice razor, hard surface, a steady hand and you can make them look as though they haven't even been opened.

[jonahlinn]

ok , l know now ,thank you very much !

[rojpetric]

It can get a bit confusing for first-time forays into the world of online collector communities, so we thought it would be a fun idea to attempt a list of some of the most commonly seen terms and abbreviations found in the world of action figures.