Glossary
Welcome to the Collectors Hollow glossary of collecting terms. Whether you're new to collecting or a seasoned pro, this guide will help you understand the terminology used in the collectibles community and at Collectors Hollow.
- AFA (Action Figure Authority)
- A company that provides professional grading for action figures.
- Box Flap
- The part of the box that opens to access the item inside; the condition of the box flap can affect the item's overall grade.
- Chase Figure
- A rare variant of a standard figure, usually produced in limited quantities and often more sought after by collectors.
- CIB (Complete in Box)
- An item that includes its original packaging and all of its original accessories and paperwork.
- COA (Certificate of Authenticity)
- A document that verifies the authenticity of a collectible item, often signed by an authority or expert.
- Condition
- Please visit the Condition Guidelines page for details on the levels of condition.
- Custom
- An item that has been altered or modified from its original state, often by fans or artists to create a unique version.
- Die-cast
- Refers to items made from metal, often used in reference to model cars and figures.
- Grading
- The process of assessing the condition of a collectible item, often resulting in an official grade or rating.
- Kitbash
- The practice of creating a new item by combining parts from different models or figures.
- LE
- Limited Edition
- Loose
- An item that is no longer in its original packaging.
- MIB (Mint in Box)
- An item that is still in its original packaging and has never been used or removed.
- MOC (Mint on Card)
- Similar to MIB, but specifically refers to action figures that are still attached to their original card backing.
- NRFB (Never Removed From Box)
- An item that has never been opened or removed from its packaging.
- Paint Apps (Paint Applications)
- Refers to the quality and detail of the paintwork on a collectible item.
- Prototype
- An early sample or model of an item, often used for testing or promotional purposes before mass production.
- Reissue
- A newer version of a previously released item, often produced by the original manufacturer.
- Unpunched
- An unpunched figure refers to a collectible, typically an action figure, that is attached to a cardboard backing. These figures often have a small section at the top designed to be punched out for hanging on retail display hooks. When this section remains intact and has not been punched out, the figure is considered unpunched. This condition is often more desirable among collectors as it indicates the item has been preserved in a more pristine state.
- Variant
- A version of an item that differs from the standard release in some way, such as color, packaging, or accessories.
- Vintage
- Typically refers to items that are at least 25 years old, often valued for their age, rarity, and condition.
- VGC (Very Good Condition)
- An item that is in good shape but may have minor wear or imperfections.
- Wave
- A set of figures or items released at the same time, often as part of a series.