Table of Contents
- What Makes a Pop Vinyl Rare in the First Place
-
10 Rarest Pop Vinyls to Look For
- Godzilla - Hedorah Flying Stage Limited Edition
- McDonalds - Ronald McDonald Thailand Special Edition
- Star Wars: The Mandalorian - Boba Fett NYCC 2021
- My Hero Academia - All Might with Bag & Umbrella NYCC 2021
- Naruto: Shippuden - Jiraiya with Popsicle NYCC 2021
- Mickey Mouse - Goofy Musketeer NYCC 2021
- MotU - Zodac NYCC 2021
- The Office - Mose Schrute Fear NYCC 2021
- Emperor's New Groove - Yzma Cat Scout NYCC 2021
- The Suicide Squad - Savant NYCC 2021
- How to Tell If a Funko Pop Is Rare
- Rare Funko Pop Price Guide: Rarity, Popularity and Resale Value
- Where to Buy Rare Funko Pops Without Getting Burned
- Protecting Funko Pops During Shipping and Storage
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions
Last Updated: October 17, 2026
What Makes a Pop Vinyl Rare in the First Place
Rarity in Pop! Vinyl collecting comes down to three things: how few were made, how hard they are to find now, and how many collectors want them.
Scarcity is supply. Popularity is demand. Resale value is what happens when the two meet, and it moves constantly.
At Pop Pelican, we have spent over 20 years watching which releases disappear from shelves.
Several factors drive that scarcity:
- Production run size. A numbered worldwide release is the clearest rarity signal.
- Distribution channel. Convention and retailer exclusives reach far fewer buyers than a general release.
- Regional editions. Figures made for one market rarely travel in large numbers.
10 Rarest Pop Vinyls to Look For
The ten figures below are the ones we would shortlist first. Each is a limited edition, a convention exclusive or a regional special with a committed fan base.
Godzilla - Hedorah Flying Stage Limited Edition
Only 9,500 units were made worldwide, with a strict limit of one per customer. Hedorah is a cult Godzilla villain, and kaiju collectors are among the most persistent in the hobby. At $99.95 it is the most expensive figure here, earning that price through a hard production cap rather than hype. If you want one figure from this list to anchor a collection, this is our pick.
McDonalds - Ronald McDonald Thailand Special Edition
This Ronald McDonald is a Thailand Special Edition with the special edition sticker, packaged as Pop! Ad Icons #139, and carries a 1-in-6 chance of a chase variant. At $16.95, it is the cheapest way on this list to own something genuinely regional. Advertising-character collectors are small but dedicated, and Thai-market releases rarely appear in large numbers outside their home region.
Star Wars: The Mandalorian - Boba Fett NYCC 2021
Boba Fett in his Tatooine gear, armed with the gaffi stick, from the 2021 Fall Convention Exclusive wave. Star Wars has the deepest collector base in the hobby, and Boba Fett is one of its most reliable characters for sustained demand. Convention exclusives tied to a memorable on-screen scene hold attention better than generic costume variants. At $24.95, this is a sensible entry point for a Mandalorian shelf.
My Hero Academia - All Might with Bag & Umbrella NYCC 2021
All Might holding a bag of fresh meat buns and an umbrella is exactly the odd, character-specific detail anime collectors chase, and slice-of-life poses age well because they stand out on a shelf. Anime Pop! Vinyls have some of the fastest-moving secondary markets in the hobby. At $24.95, this one sits between affordable and genuinely limited.
Naruto: Shippuden - Jiraiya with Popsicle NYCC 2021
Jiraiya is a beloved character from one of the biggest anime franchises going, and this convention exclusive gives him a relaxed, everyday pose rather than a combat stance. A major character plus an unusual sculpt is what makes anime exclusives hold up. At $24.95, it pairs naturally with the All Might figure on an anime-focused shelf.
Mickey Mouse - Goofy Musketeer NYCC 2021
Goofy in his Musketeers outfit from the 2004 film, released as a 2021 Fall Convention Exclusive. Disney collectors are the largest single group in the hobby, and Disney convention exclusives move steadily because the audience never shrinks. At $24.95, this is a safe, broadly appealing pick and an easy gift for a Disney fan who is not a serious collector yet.
MotU - Zodac NYCC 2021
Zodac, the cosmic enforcer, armed with his laser pistol. Zodac was the first Masters of the Universe character to wield a gun, giving this figure a genuine piece of toy history. MotU collectors are famously completist, and 1980s nostalgia keeps demand steady.
At $17.95, it is one of the better-value entries here.
The Office - Mose Schrute Fear NYCC 2021
Mose Schrute in his FEAR shirt from the episode "Initiation," released as a 2021 Fall Convention Exclusive. The Office has an unusually broad collector base spanning casual fans and completists. At $12.95, we stock this one and rate it the best-value entry on the list for a casual buyer: a genuinely funny sculpt, a convention exclusive, and cheaper than a takeaway dinner.
Emperor's New Groove - Yzma Cat Scout NYCC 2021
Yzma in her cat form, wearing the scout uniform from the end of the film. Deep cuts from mid-tier Disney films often have smaller print runs and quieter, more persistent demand.
At $12.95, it is an inexpensive way to own a genuinely niche convention exclusive.
The Suicide Squad - Savant NYCC 2021
Savant, the self-styled vigilante and hacker from the 2021 film, is the lowest-priced figure here at $11.95 and the clearest example of value resting on scarcity rather than fame. Demand is modest, but it is still a convention exclusive. If you are buying purely for love of the film, this is a bargain; if you are buying for resale, be honest about the demand side.
| Figure | Listed Price (AUD) | Rarity Driver | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Godzilla Hedorah Flying Stage | $99.95 | 9,500 units worldwide | Serious kaiju collectors |
| Ronald McDonald Thailand | $16.95 | Regional special edition, 1-in-6 chase | Ad-icon collectors |
| Boba Fett NYCC 2021 | $24.95 | Convention exclusive, Star Wars demand | Star Wars shelves |
| All Might NYCC 2021 | $24.95 | Convention exclusive, anime demand | Anime collectors |
| Jiraiya NYCC 2021 | $24.95 | Convention exclusive, major character | Anime collectors |
| Goofy Musketeer NYCC 2021 | $24.95 | Convention exclusive, Disney demand | Disney fans and gifters |
| Zodac NYCC 2021 | $17.95 | Convention exclusive, completist base | MotU collectors |
| Mose Schrute Fear NYCC 2021 | $12.95 | Convention exclusive, broad appeal | Casual buyers |
| Yzma Cat Scout NYCC 2021 | $12.95 | Deep-cut character, convention exclusive | Niche Disney collectors |
| Savant NYCC 2021 | $11.95 | Convention exclusive, low demand | Film fans on a budget |
How to Tell If a Funko Pop Is Rare
The fastest way to tell if a Funko Pop is rare is to check three things: the window sticker, the production numbers, and whether it was a convention, retailer or regional exclusive.
Start with the sticker: convention, retailer and special editions carry distinct stickers, and a missing or reprinted one changes value significantly. Then check the box for a production run or limited edition marking, and search the figure's name plus "exclusive" to see whether the release was general or restricted.
A practical checklist we would run through before buying any figure described as rare:
The Office - Mose Schrute Fear NYCC 2021 (Pop! Vinyl) →
- Is there a convention, retailer or special edition sticker, and does it look original?
- Does the box state a production number or limited edition run?
- Is the figure a chase variant, and does the packaging confirm the ratio?
Rare Funko Pop Price Guide: Rarity, Popularity and Resale Value
A rare Funko Pop price guide is only useful if it separates the three forces that set a price: scarcity, demand, and condition.
Scarcity tells you how many exist. Demand tells you how many people want one.
Here is how we would weigh them:
- Scarcity without demand produces a figure that sits unsold. Real, but not valuable.
- Demand without scarcity produces a figure that sells quickly at a modest price. Popular, not rare.
- Scarcity plus demand is where genuine resale value lives.
Price volatility is real in this hobby. Convention exclusives often spike shortly after release, settle back, then climb again years later as supply dries up.
Where to Buy Rare Funko Pops Without Getting Burned
Buy rare Funko Pops from a retailer that can tell you exactly where the stock came from, and avoid any listing that cannot explain its own provenance.
Counterfeits are the biggest hazard. Fakes usually show soft paint edges, a mismatched box font, a sticker that does not sit flat, and a sharper-than-normal vinyl smell.
Buying locally has practical advantages beyond speed.
At Pop Pelican, every item we sell is officially licensed, we are 100% Australian-owned, and we ship same day for the vast majority of orders. If you want to see what is currently available, you can shop the limited edition range and check stock directly.
Protecting Funko Pops During Shipping and Storage
Protecting Funko Pops during shipping and storage comes down to three habits: keep the box rigid, keep it dry, and keep it out of sunlight.
For shipping, use a box with at least a few centimetres of padding on every side, and fill the gaps so the figure cannot shift.
For storage, hard stacks and pop protectors are the standard solution. Store boxes upright, away from windows, and out of garages where humidity swings.
A simple storage routine we recommend:
- Use a rigid protector on any figure worth more than its retail price.
- Store upright, never stacked more than a few high.
- Keep away from direct sun, heaters and external walls.
Conclusion
Hunting the rarest pop vinyls is a patience game. The collectors who do best check stickers, verify stock, and buy from sellers who can explain where a figure came from; chasing a headline price without those checks is how collections fill up with figures nobody wants.
Pop Pelican stocks officially licensed Pop! Vinyls with fast local delivery, live online tracking on courier orders, and a team you can actually reach by phone or email.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can you tell if a Funko Pop is rare?
Check four things: the sticker on the window (convention, retailer or chase stickers signal limited runs), the production number printed on the box, whether the figure is a chase or variant rather than the standard release, and how many were made. A limited run of 9,500 worldwide, like the Godzilla Hedorah Flying Stage figure, is a far stronger rarity signal than a figure that simply sold out at one shop. Vaulted figures that Funko no longer produces also climb in scarcity once stock dries up.
Do limited-edition Funko Pops increase in value?
Some do, many do not. Value depends on demand after release, not the edition size alone. A convention exclusive tied to a franchise with a devoted fanbase can hold or grow its resale value, while a limited figure nobody asks about can sit flat for years. Treat any purchase as a collectible first and an investment second, and check recent sold listings rather than asking prices before you commit.
How do you check whether a rare Funko Pop is authentic?
Compare the box printing quality, the Funko logo, the sticker placement and the figure's paint lines against known photographs of the same release. Counterfeits usually show blurry text, wrong font weights, a sticker that peels too easily or a box that feels thin. Ask for clear photos of all six sides plus the base of the figure. If a price looks far below the going rate for a genuinely scarce figure, treat that as a warning rather than a bargain.
Where can collectors find rare Funko Pops?
Specialist collectible stores, convention floors, collector groups and reputable online retailers are the main routes. Buying from an established store means the figure arrives boxed, tracked and covered if something goes wrong in transit, which matters far more for a scarce item than saving a few dollars. Pop Pelican stocks convention exclusives such as the NYCC 2021 range and ships same day for most orders, so you are not waiting weeks on an overseas parcel.
How should you protect a rare Funko Pop during shipping?
Keep the figure in its window box inside a soft protector or hard stack, then pack it so it cannot move: bubble wrap or foam around all sides, a snug outer carton and fragile labelling. Ask the seller how they pack before you buy, and photograph the parcel on arrival before opening it. If a rare figure turns up with a crushed corner, that damage can cut its resale value significantly, so report it immediately with photos.
