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 Toy Terms
The "C#" Method of Grading Toys
Although the C# method of grading originally signified the condition of a sealed, carded toy (the implication is that the toy is mint because the package has never been opened, thus C5 would be a mint, unopened toy on a damaged card), it has become a general term to signify the Condition of any toy, loose, packaged or otherwise (so now dealers list toys as C9 toy in C7 box, for example). The grading standard was borrowed from the Comic Book price guide (in parenthesis below) so there is a dual standard (often depending on the whimsey of the dealer!) For an in-depth treatise on the C# condition system, try Eric Myers terrific grading page at Grading Guide for Carded Action Figures and also check out his main page: The Raving Toy Maniac. I swiped some of these definitions from the back of the Cotswold Catalog:
General Toy Condition Definitions:
- C1 - Useful only for parts
- C2 - Has had very hard play, OK for dioramas etc.
- C3 - Quite damaged, useful if covered up
- C4 - Many faults. Damaged, frayed, spots
- C5 - Heavy wear and spots, ofen damged/repairs (good)
- C6 - Play wear with some stains or damage (very good...also called excellent)
- C7 - Presentable, has lost crispness, minor stains or damage (fine)
- C8 - Very nice, some wear visible (very fine)
- C9 - Near mint, if used it was with great care
- C10 - Mint, unused
Major Matt Mason Specific Terms:
- Unbroken Wires - no wire breaks of the internal armature
- Melts - refers to the chemical interaction of plastics, causing melts to items
- % Paint - refers to the amount of original paint is left or removed
- WRM - White Rubber Matt - figure is made of white rather than black rubber
- Tall Boot/Short Boot - Callisto variations
- Big Head/Small Head - MMM head variations
- Knockoff - Accessories or toys not made by the original manufacturer
Other Useful Terms:
- Loose - Generally means either incomplete or no package
- CNP - Complete no Package
- MIB - Mint in Box
- MIMB - Mint in Mint Box
- MIP - Mint in Package
- MIMP - Mint in Mint Package
- MOC - Mint on Card
- NRFB - Never Removed from Box
- NRFC - Never Removed from Card
- NRFP - Never Removed from Package
- Knee Cracks - Vertical cracks above the doll's knee joints - specific to GI Joe
- Knockoff - Accessories or toys not made by the original manufacturer
- Aftermarket - reproduction
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