Mint versus Loose - 283

Mint versus loose. Which is better? How do you choose to present your collection? Is there really that much of a difference between mint and loose collecting? All that and more on this week's exciting episode of The Soul Forge Podcast!

But first, an update on my Hot Wheels collecting. I have been steadily on the hunt for new and unique die cast cars. YouTube has been a great source of information. People have different tastes in vehicles. It seems as though many collectors do not like the fantasy casts. Instead they prefer to only collect real-world models. This hobby can make one quite obsessive.

So, mint or loose? What terms do we need to be familiar with?

MOC : Mint on card
MIB : Mint in box
MIP : Mint in package

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.

There can be many reasons for why someone will keep their action figures MIB/MOC. Some people just like the way the packages look. Many action figures made today are highly detailed, but also are in detailed packages. Others like to keep them MIB/MOC because action figures are worth way more when they are in original packages. The better the condition of the packages, the better the price will be if you ever decide to resell your action figures.

Loose figures will allow you to take them out of the package and “play” with them. You can put your figures in different poses and post them online on blogs or forums. They take up way less storage space. The downside to loose figures is that they lose their values very fast.

The best option (if you can afford it) is to buy 2 of everything. This way, you can display your collection both way and never have to decide!

This week's podcast promo: Earth Station One