Common Pops that turned into Grails?

[DassGoot]

If we're talking grail as in solely based on price hike, most recent ones I can think of are Steve and Battle Damage Deku. I still cant believe cant believe how much they've climbed, especially since they were just sitting for a while at the time.

[repair-manmanmanman]

A more recent one would be battle Deku from HT. Was VERY available for a while and was sitting around on shelves for the longest time. Then he suddenly disappeared and the price jumped.

I seriously regret not getting battle deku..I had it in my hands and was walking to checkout when I was like "nah..I just want all might."

[repair-manmanmanman]

If we're speaking really generally, commons nowadays don't have the potential to jump in price like the ones from years ago. But that's also with a few years of appreciation, so who knows where we'll be in 2021.

The most applicable example I can think of is probably Nick Morton from the mummy. That was a legitimate common, but it was never officially released so now it's a "grail" (to some people).

[coopscohen]

Jamie Fraser and Claire Randall come to my mind. I don’t watch the show but there must be a pretty huge fan base.

[Nemesis989]

I think Grail is based on personal taste.

I completely agree with this statement. Grail is totally based on taste. Most of my favourite pops that I just had to have are fairly easy to get (most recent was 1st appearance Hulk). However, when one comes out that you love and it becomes an instant high priced pop...that stings a bit (I'm looking at you Indy with Idol)

[WarioToad77]

The OP is talking about a common pop that became "heavily sought after". Yes, monetary value usually goes along with that. "Grail" probably wasn't the right word use, but I knew what they meant.

[JetLifer]

Renly Baratheon

[THEcatsMEOW]

The hot topic deku pop from my hero, that shot into the triple digits out of no where!

[Jessedtaylor77]

Battle Deku from hot topic.
Went from 20-120

[War19872002]

the bobble lotso

[Childishtycoon]

I agree that a grail would be something you take years or months to obtain, a know a few collectors here that waited years for something to become available. I have plenty pops that I never expected to raise in value though and ones that I wish I bought before they did. My personal grail would be a GITD Freddy Frankenberry, I would even be happy with the regular one as well

[PopPChulo]

Definitely the Friends set. Got the lot for like $50 and now they're getting towards fetching that each. Same goes for Dracula, Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein, and Nosferatu as well!

I've notic3d that about the friends set. I never really watched friends but it seems like po0ular tv shows usually turn to grails ie Gilmore girls

I honestly didn't think they'd go up much. At the time I had only just started collecting and had noticed too much of a demand for them. But yeah, sitcom Pops tend to do really well.

I agree with that sentiment. Sitcom pops have crazy jumps in value

[PopPChulo]

Not sure if this counts but the Stranger Things bloody Steve from SDCC..it was a shared exclusive with HT and was pretty easily available at the time and even a while after the show..now its pretty "hot" and selling aftermarket for a bunch of dollhairs..glad I grabbed it when I did! Looking forward to the new Steve's to complete the trifecta!

This definitely counts. At the time that this dropped I don't think I was collecting stranger things but I have a ton of friends that talk about how this turned into a grail out of nowhere all the time. That's super dope that you got to get your hands on it! Keep Steve Safe!

Oh yeah I remember everyone was not into Steve until season 2 came out but I loved that Pop as soon as I saw it and had to have it! Can't wait to get the other Steve pops!

I think it's because Steve played a much bigger role in season 2 then in season 1

[PopPChulo]

For me i would have to say the haunted mansion pops, indiana Jones with the idol

Who would have knew that Indiana Jones with the title would spike in price!

[PopPChulo]

the bobble lotso

I bet the spike for lotso was completely unexpected

[War19872002]

the bobble lotso

I bet the spike for lotso was completely unexpected

Yes I love lotso, but its completely insane. I bought Flocked Lotso in August for 700 and now even horrible condition you wont find it.

[Xeno]

Pete Puma from last year's SD Comic Con. No one was giving him the love that he deserved. Got it for dirt cheap a month after the Con and now he keeps going up in price. I'm so happy I was able to get him for a very good price.

Same I got him for 30ish a month after, and it was worth it.

[evanbeans100]

The bank robber joker, ghost rider and a lot of the older vaulted pops became grails.

Yeah I know that the bank robber joker became one. Funny part is that you can never really tell what's going to become a grail or not

I think that's the fun right? Buy what you like and sometimes you're surprised!

[buddylee]

some of the MLB mascots that were sitting on shelves at the 99 cent store. Like Orbitz

[nyraza]

These werent common but demand wasnt anywhere nearly as high, but Red Eyes Frieza and Metallic Beerus. I remember then sitting under $50 for a while, then 2017 they all jumped drastically. Out of commons my most jump is Claire Randall, Vikings, and Mikasa.

[Djshivers]

For me it would be Ygritte from Game of Thrones. Got her from hbo shop for $7.50 using a 20% off code. Now worth $130

[wolfy233]

Pete Puma from last year's SD Comic Con. No one was giving him the love that he deserved. Got it for dirt cheap a month after the Con and now he keeps going up in price. I'm so happy I was able to get him for a very good price.

Same I got him for 30ish a month after, and it was worth it.

You're so right! Nobody bothered with him. Congrats on scoring him so low.

[PopPChulo]

These werent common but demand wasnt anywhere nearly as high, but Red Eyes Frieza and Metallic Beerus. I remember then sitting under $50 for a while, then 2017 they all jumped drastically. Out of commons my most jump is Claire Randall, Vikings, and Mikasa.

Yeah I remember seeing Beerus on the shelf back when I wasn't heavily into collecting. there were a ton on the shelves. Never would have though those bad boys would have spiked all the way to the 100 dollar mark tbh.

[PopPChulo]

For me it would be Ygritte from Game of Thrones. Got her from hbo shop for $7.50 using a 20% off code. Now worth $130

Craaaaaazy - I've found any kind of specialty store or shop exclusives usually spike in value over time because they aren't distributed to a national retailer.

[kevintheomanharris]

Rhaegal. I casually was looking at my collection on ppg one day and was quite stunned by it's price.

[notoriousP-O-P]

Lagertha from Vikings. Got her for <$10 at B&N, and she’s pushing $80-90 now.

It’s a good lesson in picking Pops you genuinely like. F you genuinely love them, there may be a good chance other folks do too.

Same with Maleficient as dragon in Disney Treasures and Occamt from Fantastic Beasts. Some are just so iconic/lovable/beautiful you know they’re keepers.

[nerdandcheese]

some of the MLB mascots that were sitting on shelves at the 99 cent store. Like Orbitz

Dang I didn’t realize how much Orbitz is going for now. I bet there’s a 99 cent store that still has a case of those in the back somewhere.

[Chadisfaction]

Common CM Punk and HT CM Punk have both turned into grails luckily I own both and way before the price jump

[imbatgirlpop]

Not sure if this counts but the Stranger Things bloody Steve from SDCC..it was a shared exclusive with HT and was pretty easily available at the time and even a while after the show..now its pretty "hot" and selling aftermarket for a bunch of dollhairs..glad I grabbed it when I did! Looking forward to the new Steve's to complete the trifecta!

Is that the Steve with glasses? That looked cool!

[imbatgirlpop]

some of the MLB mascots that were sitting on shelves at the 99 cent store. Like Orbitz

Dang I didn’t realize how much Orbitz is going for now. I bet there’s a 99 cent store that still has a case of those in the back somewhere.

I saw these at the 99cent stores too. Crazy, but I think you are right, or they have put a “free” sign on them like they do withleftover seasonal stuff

[RoytotheOiOi]

I bought Johnny Ramone before I collected Pops and kept him in the box. Wish I would have bought Dee Dee at the same time, since I just had to pay up to finally get him.

[ImranC23]

Alien from Toy Story. I passed on him at the comic shop many a time before I was into pops and then once I got into collecting he was like $100. Just recently traded a Bigfoot for him.

[SQUARExBEAR]

I hate how lost the definition of 'grail' has become.
To me, it is the ONE pop that your collection would not be complete without, and typically not one that is easily obtained (in keeping with the original idea of 'The Holy Grail').

For me it was the Chase Joker 06, and when i got him I felt like I could stop collecting today and I'd be happy.

Of course I didn't stop and there are others out there i still want, but i have my 'Grail'.
My one and only Grail.

You mean how most people have substituted it for 'expensive'? I'm right there with you.

The reason the definition changed is because shoeheads have been using it in their vernacular for ages and originally, yes, it meant your favorite shoe in your collection that you could never get rid of or the most sought after shoe, or grail, that existed out there that was difficult to obtain.

People nowadays refer to grails as difficult to obtain pops that have gotten expensive over the course of time. It’s not that direct of a translation, but it refers to everything that is “grail-like” now.

Tl;dr: Grails used to mean something different but now they’re for pops that have gotten expensive.

[buddylee]

I hate how lost the definition of 'grail' has become.
To me, it is the ONE pop that your collection would not be complete without, and typically not one that is easily obtained (in keeping with the original idea of 'The Holy Grail').

For me it was the Chase Joker 06, and when i got him I felt like I could stop collecting today and I'd be happy.

Of course I didn't stop and there are others out there i still want, but i have my 'Grail'.
My one and only Grail.

You mean how most people have substituted it for 'expensive'? I'm right there with you.

The reason the definition changed is because shoeheads have been using it in their vernacular for ages and originally, yes, it meant your favorite shoe in your collection that you could never get rid of or the most sought after shoe, or grail, that existed out there that was difficult to obtain.

People nowadays refer to grails as difficult to obtain pops that have gotten expensive over the course of time. It’s not that direct of a translation, but it refers to everything that is “grail-like” now.

Tl;dr: Grails used to mean something different but now they’re for pops that have gotten expensive.

I get both concepts, but if a grail wasn't expensive it would be easy to obtain, and easy to track down due to lack of demand. A grail should be difficult to obtain to me. Cost usually correlates in my experiences.

[FunkoMeansFun]

We always collect what we like regardless of value. That's what gives us the most enjoyment . .

[Squird]

You mean how most people have substituted it for 'expensive'? I'm right there with you.

The reason the definition changed is because shoeheads have been using it in their vernacular for ages and originally, yes, it meant your favorite shoe in your collection that you could never get rid of or the most sought after shoe, or grail, that existed out there that was difficult to obtain.

People nowadays refer to grails as difficult to obtain pops that have gotten expensive over the course of time. It’s not that direct of a translation, but it refers to everything that is “grail-like” now.

Tl;dr: Grails used to mean something different but now they’re for pops that have gotten expensive.

I get both concepts, but if a grail wasn't expensive it would be easy to obtain, and easy to track down due to lack of demand. A grail should be difficult to obtain to me. Cost usually correlates in my experiences.

My grail might cost about 25 bucks, but it's older Funko that doesn't show up very often. I've waited for over a year, I'll continue to wait.

[Squird]

I hate how lost the definition of 'grail' has become.
To me, it is the ONE pop that your collection would not be complete without, and typically not one that is easily obtained (in keeping with the original idea of 'The Holy Grail').

For me it was the Chase Joker 06, and when i got him I felt like I could stop collecting today and I'd be happy.

Of course I didn't stop and there are others out there i still want, but i have my 'Grail'.
My one and only Grail.

You mean how most people have substituted it for 'expensive'? I'm right there with you.

The reason the definition changed is because shoeheads have been using it in their vernacular for ages and originally, yes, it meant your favorite shoe in your collection that you could never get rid of or the most sought after shoe, or grail, that existed out there that was difficult to obtain.

People nowadays refer to grails as difficult to obtain pops that have gotten expensive over the course of time. It’s not that direct of a translation, but it refers to everything that is “grail-like” now.

Tl;dr: Grails used to mean something different but now they’re for pops that have gotten expensive.

Grails should be difficult to get, otherwise we'd all be complete. I don't really care how the transition from 'hard to find' to simply 'expensive' came to pass. Knowing it comes from the shoe collectors actually makes me hate it even more. I think it's wrong to call everything with a significant price tag a 'grail'. I don't think it shows a whole lot of imagination or care being applied to your collection. Are you building a cool collection or are you trying to build a Top Ten you can impress shallow people with?

[allcutethings2]

Grails to me are highly wanted, hard to get. Hard to get sometimes means money to people. Many collectors can't afford to pay much more over retail; so their "grail" is something that is relatively expensive for them. Hard to get simply because they can't afford it.

A lot of the Hello Kitty figures don't show up as often. Not necessarily too expensive, simply hard to get. Almost all HK is a grail for Sanrio fans.

My grail right now is gitd Lumiere. I almost never see him come up at a legit place or from a trusted collector. Saw one once at a con, and the paint was all messed up.

My original grail was Belle. Why? I wanted to be Belle ever since I saw the movie 26 years ago. You can bet as soon as I saw that figure on the display at the store, I snatched one and walked right up to the register. It was a grail both then and now for me. I'm lucky to have it. It's a grail for others too, who love the movie just as much as I do (not really, no one could love it as much as me! ).

[wash2366]

Lagertha from Vikings. Got her for <$10 at B&N, and she’s pushing $80-90 now.

It’s a good lesson in picking Pops you genuinely like. F you genuinely love them, there may be a good chance other folks do too.

Same with Maleficient as dragon in Disney Treasures and Occamt from Fantastic Beasts. Some are just so iconic/lovable/beautiful you know they’re keepers.

I cannot reinforce this enough. Collect what you like...it's the best way to collect for so many reasons.

I'm telling you, my fiancé is like this, her collection is a hodge podge of just Pops she thinks is cute--a lot of them are Disney and Marvel, but everything she touches becomes desired in the Pop community at some point. just recently, I remember everyone overpaying for GITD Killmonger and Black Panther and she said, "I like Okoye better." Okoye at the time was NOT selling like hotcakes, she was in HQ on the shelves for several weeks maybe longer, even flippers were only getting like 30.00 bucks for her. But she got 2 and low and behold several months later Okoye is valued higher than both GITD ones.

oh, she told me to buy Tony the Tiger and I didn't because I didn't care for Ad Icons at the time. I have since bought everything she thinks is cute. Haha.

Collect what you like--or love. I hope a few of the newer generation of collectors read your post Notorious POP.

[IFIXTHINGS]

Doctor doom was a personal grail for awhile, took some trading but I finally got him