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In the ever-evolving collecting world, collectors are constantly looking for new ways to differentiate value and make their collections stand out from the crowd. One collecting niche that has gained some notoriety due to its rarity is uncirculated collectibles, with toys and action figures being a very popular segment. In this blog post, we'll delve into the world of uncirculated collectibles, exploring why they hold a special place in the hearts of collectors. What Makes A Toy UncirculatedThe main distinction between a circulated and uncirculated toy or action figure is that an uncirculated toy has never been touched by the public. For a toy or action figure to achieve an uncirculated designation, it needs to be sent into a grading company still sealed in its original manufacturer case, which typically contains multiple of the same toy. Each toy is then graded separately and encapsulated in its original retail packaging. <figure id="figure-p0lnpoptcnltrddckf"><img id="p0lnpoptcnltrddckf" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/9gE9e0VU1vodeg2RdtiiKqyCxKwYn0E7bDUQNA9w6nnQankW8F2QGLMzdvFOREVv.jpg" alt="What Makes A Toy Uncirculated" title="What Makes A Toy Uncirculated" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-lg md:rounded-xl lg:rounded-2xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/9gE9e0VU1vodeg2RdtiiKqyCxKwYn0E7bDUQNA9w6nnQankW8F2QGLMzdvFOREVv.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure>You might think that because a toy was unopened and in its original manufacturer case, it would be in perfect condition, but oftentimes toys still get damaged during transportation if they’re not handled properly. That being said, there’s still a good chance it will receive a higher than average grade. The rarity of the uncirculated grade is then just icing on the cake because few have access to unopened manufacturer cases to submit for grading!<figure id="figure-f07mivmd6nltrde4xh"><img id="f07mivmd6nltrde4xh" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/305Aioi2YxLnChudKIJhJXGpuvei04HiCGqEVYYVEMuioX0H8xCNRerb6KNtiqmX.png" alt="UNCIRCULATED 9.0 graded Batman action figure" title="UNCIRCULATED 9.0 graded Batman action figure" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-lg md:rounded-xl lg:rounded-2xl" style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: undefined undefined;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="" data-positionX="undefined" data-positionY="undefined" data-fullWidth="false"/></figure>Other Types of Uncirculated CollectiblesThere are numerous other types of collectibles that can receive uncirculated designations from grading companies including VHS, DVD, video games, sports cards, coins, paper money, and more! Pretty much any collectible that was shipped in an original manufacturer case could potentially receive an uncirculated grade if someone had the foresight to keep it sealed.&nbsp;<figure id="figure-biktbmgvvdltrdf4o0"><img id="biktbmgvvdltrdf4o0" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/36Jy0WkDB9OSgBgvV3Q68fjQJKaKUSbOg5hDdC3g7SxexYMjzomLuaXnd7YZC8jx.jpg" alt="Uncirculated Walking Liberty Half Dollars" title="Uncirculated Walking Liberty Half Dollars" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-lg md:rounded-xl lg:rounded-2xl" style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: undefined undefined;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="Uncirculated Walking Liberty Half Dollar" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/36Jy0WkDB9OSgBgvV3Q68fjQJKaKUSbOg5hDdC3g7SxexYMjzomLuaXnd7YZC8jx.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: undefined undefined;"><figcaption class="body-normal text-gray-500 mt-2">Uncirculated Walking Liberty Half Dollar</figcaption></figure>For numismatics (coins and paper currency), the uncirculated designation means something slightly different. All U.S. currency enters the economy through the Federal Reserve (besides special collector’s editions), so there isn’t a special packaging requirement like there is for toys. Instead, for coins or bills to qualify as uncirculated, they simply must be a high enough grade. The logic is that if the condition is good enough, a coin or bill must not have entered circulation and been used in regular day-to-day transactions.<figure id="figure-qkvvk4jqopltrdfnet"><img id="qkvvk4jqopltrdfnet" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/27bugbyKt7LQcS7oYwQ950ahkRX0hh8iCMebVTrxcNdK28ZMaNnQ7wMSED1T8KRC.png" alt="2001 GBC Game Boy Color Nintendo (USA) " title="2001 GBC Game Boy Color Nintendo (USA) " class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-lg md:rounded-xl lg:rounded-2xl" style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: undefined undefined;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="2001 GBC Game Boy Color Nintendo (USA) " data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/27bugbyKt7LQcS7oYwQ950ahkRX0hh8iCMebVTrxcNdK28ZMaNnQ7wMSED1T8KRC.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: undefined undefined;"><figcaption class="body-normal text-gray-500 mt-2">2001 GBC Game Boy Color Nintendo (USA) "Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages" Sealed Video Game - VGA MINT Uncirculated 95</figcaption></figure>VHS, DVD, and video games work the same way as toys in that the uncirculated grade comes from the piece of media coming straight from the manufacturer box and never touching human hands. We’ve seen some really amazing uncirculated VHS tapes from the 80s and 90s, and it’s mind-blowing that full boxes of these tapes somehow managed to stay sealed all these years. Some great examples include The Land Before Time and Back to the Future!<figure id="figure-aojdx9mbw8ltrdg2bx"><img id="aojdx9mbw8ltrdg2bx" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/1a3wg4k1W4W5yzC4zBItRkujvepHtJaLa3DB6bczdvlDV5B12ggYcYDVcT5oHMXn.png" alt="1990 Back To The Future Part II Factory-Sealed VHS Tape - Uncirculated, Side (Gap) MCA/UNIV WM, UPC 80914, White Tab - IGS Epic 10/Epic 10" title="1990 Back To The Future Part II Factory-Sealed VHS Tape - Uncirculated, Side (Gap) MCA/UNIV WM, UPC 80914, White Tab - IGS Epic 10/Epic 10" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-lg md:rounded-xl lg:rounded-2xl" style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: undefined undefined;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="1990 Back To The Future Part II Factory-Sealed VHS Tape - Uncirculated, Side (Gap) MCA/UNIV WM, UPC 80914, White Tab - IGS Epic 10/Epic 10" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/1a3wg4k1W4W5yzC4zBItRkujvepHtJaLa3DB6bczdvlDV5B12ggYcYDVcT5oHMXn.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: undefined undefined;"><figcaption class="body-normal text-gray-500 mt-2">1990 Back To The Future Part II Factory-Sealed VHS Tape - Uncirculated, Side (Gap) MCA/UNIV WM, UPC 80914, White Tab - IGS Epic 10/Epic 10</figcaption></figure>Investment PotentialThe market for uncirculated grades in numismatics has been well-established for years, largely because the highest graded currency receives the designation by default. But the market around uncirculated sealed media like VHS, DVD, and video games is still very new and in a period of price discovery. We’ve certainly seen people pay a premium for uncirculated sealed media, and we ourselves have added a few uncirculated VHS to our collection. We’ve also speculated on the future value of uncirculated collectibles by keeping some of our NFT Funko physical redemptions sealed in the shipping box in order to receive the grade!ConclusionAt the end of the day, we don’t know the future of uncirculated collectibles. But we do understand the collector mindset and the need to differentiate value. When collectors with deep pockets enter these markets, they’re going to want the best of the best. And if there are two collectibles with identical grades but one is uncirculated, they’re going to prioritize the collectible that’s differentiated by an additional layer of rarity. We’re very excited to watch this collecting niche grow over the coming years!

The Significance of Uncirculated Collectibles

DIGITAL COLLECTING, CREATING & CONNECTING COMMUNITY CANON!

A couple weeks ago we had the honor of revealing the FIRST ever VeVe x CGC exclusive comic label to the world. It was amazing to collaborate with both of these incredible companies to help introduce this historic event to the collecting community. While we've received amazing responses about the video and announcement, we've also noticed a lot of comments expressing confusion as to why this was such a BIG DEAL. Well fear not, awesome people! We are here to provide you with a bit more context and knowledge as to why we're so excited about this landmark reveal!<figure id="figure-xnye9svyy9lsn8g8vx" data-full-width=""><img id="xnye9svyy9lsn8g8vx" src="https://cdn.durable.co/covers/39je3UkgpalEipk7bJm7xrSpXGvFceMFBHWLo1ojkUIS8ILmNBep1iZVYF7Ank5Z.jpg" alt="Veve X CGC Slab" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-lg md:rounded-xl lg:rounded-2xl" style="aspect-ratio: 3/2; object-position: undefined undefined;" data-corners="medium" data-aspect="3:2" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="true" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/covers/39je3UkgpalEipk7bJm7xrSpXGvFceMFBHWLo1ojkUIS8ILmNBep1iZVYF7Ank5Z.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 3/2; object-position: undefined undefined;"></figure>CGC is one of the industry leaders when it comes to collectibles grading, and because of that, their labels hold a lot of weight and value for serious physical collectors. CGC has created exclusive labels for<a data-mce-href="https://www.cgccomics.com/news/article/11386/fantast-selling-superman-provenance-batman/" href="https://www.cgccomics.com/news/article/11386/fantast-selling-superman-provenance-batman/"> large collections</a>, events like <a data-mce-href="https://www.cgccomics.com/news/article/12121/nycc-custom-label-reedpop/" href="https://www.cgccomics.com/news/article/12121/nycc-custom-label-reedpop/">NYCC</a>, artist-specific labels like for <a data-mce-href="https://boards.cgccomics.com/topic/498259-stan-lee-red-labels/" href="https://boards.cgccomics.com/topic/498259-stan-lee-red-labels/">Stan Lee</a>, and even some dedicated to <a data-mce-href="https://www.cgccomics.com/news/article/7873/" href="https://www.cgccomics.com/news/article/7873/">specific characters</a>. But they rarely collaborate with other companies or brands to make their own exclusive comic labels. In fact, we have only seen them collaborate with ONE other brand! <a data-mce-href="https://swau.com/blogs/blog/swau-announces-new-partnership-with-cgc-and-exclusive-custom-labels" href="https://swau.com/blogs/blog/swau-announces-new-partnership-with-cgc-and-exclusive-custom-labels">SWAU</a>, a company that organizes and sells autographed collectibles worldwide.We’ll say that again: only ONE other company has ever had the honor of creating their own exclusive comic labels with CGC. This is major validation from the physical collecting space and it shows that CGC supports what VeVe is doing to merge the physical and digital collecting worlds. And when this label is more widely produced, it will signal to other physical collectors that <a data-mce-href="https://www.veve.me" href="https://www.veve.me">VeVe </a>is here to stay. Not to mention the incredible impact that this can have on all VeVe original comics moving forward.&nbsp;<figure id="figure-ihpoomutl7lsn8jd7d"><img id="ihpoomutl7lsn8jd7d" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/21lPNGcqnbZjqu4ZqTKbK4FmYCBVrWbsEwAA5lj2VgWe5C3Be1BH4Zcm3GGjiNwl.png" alt="ENCODE Graphics" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-lg md:rounded-xl lg:rounded-2xl" style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: undefined undefined;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/21lPNGcqnbZjqu4ZqTKbK4FmYCBVrWbsEwAA5lj2VgWe5C3Be1BH4Zcm3GGjiNwl.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: undefined undefined;"></figure>However, this isn’t the first time we’ve seen CGC collaborate with a company promoting the use of Web3. In 2021, CGC partnered with <a data-mce-href="https://www.encode.graphics" href="https://www.encode.graphics">ENCODE Graphics</a>, a comic publishing company that was founded by crypto artist <a data-mce-href="https://twitter.com/primal_cypher" href="https://twitter.com/primal_cypher">PR1MAL CYPHER</a>. Centered around futuristic concepts, ENCODE Graphics delves into narratives and artistic expressions inspired by the myths of cryptocurrency and the digital realm. Their first comic, “<a data-mce-href="https://www.encode.graphics/metatales" href="https://www.encode.graphics/metatales">Metatales #1</a>”, was slabbed by CGC and <a data-mce-href="https://www.manchesterdigital.com/post/crypto-bates-group/nfc-stickers-encoded-with-eth-based-nfts" href="https://www.manchesterdigital.com/post/crypto-bates-group/nfc-stickers-encoded-with-eth-based-nfts">encoded with NFC chips</a> using RFNFT® Technology developed by the CryptoBates Group. These NFC chips in the CGC comic slabs allowed the owner to claim an NFT from the physical comic. This is an awesome application of Web3 technology within physical collectibles, and we hope to see more releases like this!<figure id="figure-zonsag3lf5dlsn8n8xr"><img id="zonsag3lf5dlsn8n8xr" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/aQuDJLr0NG5YCTyP1wRkJmtW91yXffbb2zN6jvxMkcEjgLrJwqbba2jp5QCz06Rj.png" alt="Candy Digital platform" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-lg md:rounded-xl lg:rounded-2xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: undefined undefined;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/aQuDJLr0NG5YCTyP1wRkJmtW91yXffbb2zN6jvxMkcEjgLrJwqbba2jp5QCz06Rj.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: undefined undefined;"></figure>&nbsp;We believe partnerships like these will open the door for potential collaborations with other companies building in Web3. For example, DC Comics, who has been releasing comics through the <a data-mce-href="https://www.candy.com/dc?redirectFrom=DC" href="https://www.candy.com/dc?redirectFrom=DC">Candy Digital</a> platform, could easily collaborate with a grading company like CGC on phygital integrations. Holders from the <a data-mce-href="https://nftnow.com/news/dc-comics-believes-batman-nft-drop-will-be-a-watershed-moment/" href="https://nftnow.com/news/dc-comics-believes-batman-nft-drop-will-be-a-watershed-moment/">Bat Cowl</a> collection, which was co-created by renowned artist &amp; DC Comics President Jim Lee, have been voting on the outcome of new<a data-mce-href="https://www.candy.com/racing/editions/270fa10b-7c8e-4bfc-9819-41b9e1b2f2d2" href="https://www.candy.com/racing/editions/270fa10b-7c8e-4bfc-9819-41b9e1b2f2d2"> Batman: The Legacy Cowl</a> issues. It would be incredible to see these community-generated comics receive their own Candy Digital- or DC NFT-exclusive labels some day.&nbsp;<figure id="figure-z2wv3dm6omlsn8nyuw"><img id="z2wv3dm6omlsn8nyuw" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/2bscLefrOxcqiiT9Pl8JqZkbEk2tr78ZOh81PFU7vMCR1nuwoaqQ4FP9u8cWBoNi.png" alt="Eon Rift" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-lg md:rounded-xl lg:rounded-2xl" style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: undefined undefined;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/2bscLefrOxcqiiT9Pl8JqZkbEk2tr78ZOh81PFU7vMCR1nuwoaqQ4FP9u8cWBoNi.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: undefined undefined;"></figure>There are many other amazing companies releasing original comic content, like Eon Rift, which is building a new IP ecosystem that includes digital comic books, digital collectibles, video games, phygital collectibles, a trading card game, merchandise and more. Eon Rift has an impressive leadership team with years of experience in the gaming and comic book industry. Their creative lead, Leri Greer, has over 15 years of experience in concept art at Peter Jackson's WETA studios, where he worked on some of the most successful and iconic film properties in recent history, including Avatar, Mad Max Fury Road, District 9, Ghost In The Shell, Elysium, and Chappie. The team also includes NY Times Bestselling Writer Tom Waltz, known for writing critically acclaimed comic book series and graphic novels, including Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and The Last Ronin. With Tom, they’ve started developing a series of digital comics called <a data-mce-href="https://comicmint.eonrift.com/" href="https://comicmint.eonrift.com/">Eon Rift: Ghost Machine</a>, which are hand-drawn but also include animations and some fun burn mechanics.<figure id="figure-xq6dcacrhblsn8oxif"><img id="xq6dcacrhblsn8oxif" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/18ygGwA2iwj4f3GqF8Tvn9o0iiqX4DbNQv0FfwH9fdrvmWNoPNNZOxlvpFCnwLmR.png" alt="Evermind" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-lg md:rounded-xl lg:rounded-2xl" style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: undefined undefined;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/18ygGwA2iwj4f3GqF8Tvn9o0iiqX4DbNQv0FfwH9fdrvmWNoPNNZOxlvpFCnwLmR.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: undefined undefined;"></figure> <a data-mce-href="https://247comics.com" href="https://247comics.com">247 Comics</a> is another exciting company releasing original Web3 comic content that is flipping the comic publishing model on its head. Through 247 Comics, the fans actually own the characters and can influence the direction of stories. They’ve released multiple original comics, including Evermind, by Marvel artist <a data-mce-href="https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Sean_Chen" href="https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Sean_Chen">Sean Chen</a> and actor <a data-mce-href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0943079/" href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0943079/">Daniel Wu</a>. 247 Comics has been doing some really interesting things with their comic IP, like their Evermind <a data-mce-href="https://twitter.com/0xPowerPacks" href="https://twitter.com/0xPowerPacks">Power Packs</a>. These packs contain digital comics that are redeemable for physical books, character avatars, tokens redeemable for physical original comic art, limited edition artist sketches, and 1-of-1 panel art. We’re super excited to see how 247 Comics continues to push the space forward!&nbsp;<figure id="figure-agz1fuylclsn8pfo7"><img id="agz1fuylclsn8pfo7" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/2eYCeTBgoDVZztUf1oesWmd6WEqegcwSHhYXjc2YkdW9XQQTgaPszCvouLmgHa24.png" alt="A collector's world in the digital age." class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-lg md:rounded-xl lg:rounded-2xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: undefined undefined;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionX="undefined" data-positionY="undefined" data-fullWidth="false"/></figure>When we started Comics &amp; Crypto, we had a very specific motto in mind: <blockquote>A collector's world in the digital age.</blockquote>This was the first real hint of our ultimate goal: to bring the physical and digital collecting worlds together. And now, just a couple years later, we are witnessing the first steps of that finally taking place, and it makes us even more hopeful for what's to come! So, what does all this have to do with CGC x VeVe comic labels? In the short term, it demonstrates that VeVe has solidified its place in the physical comic collecting world, increasing brand recognition among those who may not take digital collectibles seriously. In the long term, this sets an amazing precedent: brands deeply entrenched in Web3 are just as important and collectible as those in the physical collecting space! It's thrilling to witness the bridge between physical and digital collecting growing stronger. We truly believe that this is the future of the collectibles space. And who knows... maybe we could see official digital comic slabs in the future? 😎

Why VeVe x CGC Slabs are a BIG DEAL!

In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, Augmented Reality (AR) has emerged as a groundbreaking force, reshaping various industries. One area where AR has shown tremendous promise is in the realm of digital collectibles. As traditional collecting methods transition into the digital sphere, AR technology brings a new layer of immersion and interactivity, transforming the way people perceive and engage with collectibles.<h3>Immersive Collecting Experience</h3>AR technology introduces a new level of immersion to the collecting experience. Digital collectibles, such as virtual trading cards, art pieces, or even virtual pets, can now be brought to life in the real world through AR. Users can view their collectibles in a three-dimensional space, interact with them, and even share these experiences with others. This immersion enhances the emotional connection users have with their digital items, making collecting a more engaging and dynamic activity.&nbsp;Companies like Disney are getting a nice head start in the digital collectible space by creating and releasing some of our most beloved IP. One of the heavy trailblazers in the space is <a href="https://www.veve.me/" data-mce-href="https://www.veve.me/">VeVe Digital Collectibles</a>. They feature tokenized digital collectibles from some of the largest IP in existence. There are many amazing things about Veve, but I love the fact that they are creating digital collectibles for every demographic.&nbsp;I see them becoming more of a digital collectibles aggregator. If you are looking for a popular brand of digital collectible to purchase, Veve is my go to. They are already using spatial technology to allow you to augment your digital collectibles into any physical setting. We see lots of <a href="https://x.com/MetaverseLyfe/status/1630266520684187649?s=20" data-mce-href="https://x.com/MetaverseLyfe/status/1630266520684187649?s=20">incredible content</a> created from both experienced and novice content creators using Veve digital collectibles in real world settings. I can’t wait to see this content in fully immersive AR devices like the Apple Vision Pro.<h3>Real-world Integration</h3>Unlike traditional collectibles that are confined to physical spaces, AR allows digital collectibles to seamlessly integrate into the real world. Users can place their virtual items in their surroundings using AR apps, creating a bridge between the digital and physical realms. This integration fosters a sense of ownership and personalization, as users can curate their own virtual galleries or showcase their digital collections in their immediate environment. As technology continues to advance, the real-world integration of digital collectibles in AR is set to evolve further. The prospect of fully immersive AR devices, such as the anticipated <a href="https://www.apple.com/apple-vision-pro/" data-mce-href="https://www.apple.com/apple-vision-pro/">Apple Vision Pro</a>, opens up new possibilities for enhanced realism and user engagement. The boundaries between the physical and digital realms will continue to blur, redefining how users perceive, interact with, and derive value from their digital collectibles.&nbsp;The integration of Augmented Reality (AR) into the realm of digital collectibles has ushered in a transformative era, redefining user engagement and interaction. By seamlessly blending the virtual and physical worlds, AR has elevated the user experience to unprecedented levels. This heightened level of engagement is further amplified by the gamification aspect, with location-based games and scavenger hunts tied to collectibles, fostering exploration and social interaction. Brands have capitalized on AR's capabilities, crafting innovative marketing campaigns and limited edition collectibles that bridge the gap between the digital and physical realms, thereby enhancing brand loyalty.&nbsp;The authentication of digital collectibles has also been revolutionized, as AR technology provides a tangible means of verifying the authenticity of each item. As AR continues to evolve, its integration into retail, education, and collaborative experiences promises to shape the future landscape of digital collectibles, offering users unparalleled opportunities for customization, personalization, and immersive engagement.<h3>Enhanced Trading and Social Interaction</h3>AR facilitates a more dynamic and interactive trading experience for digital collectibles. Imagine trading virtual cards with friends, with the ability to see the cards come to life through AR animations. The social aspect of collecting is amplified as users can engage in shared AR experiences, collaborate on virtual projects, or even attend AR-based collectibles events. This enhances the sense of community among collectors, creating a vibrant ecosystem around digital collectibles.&nbsp;I’m a long time holder and fan of <a href="https://wearezinu.com/nfts/" data-mce-href="https://wearezinu.com/nfts/">ZINU</a>. This project is a really great example of amplifying experience and social interaction through both a physical and digital experience. The social interaction that I experience and witness from this group of collector’s is quite amazing. I am really excited about the <a href="https://x.com/nfa_inc/status/1540756775422550016?s=46&amp;t=fhm-Xa9adJ3dSylhImYjZg" data-mce-href="https://x.com/nfa_inc/status/1540756775422550016?s=46&amp;t=fhm-Xa9adJ3dSylhImYjZg">physical space</a> they are building in collaboration with <a href="https://nonfungibleart.io/" data-mce-href="https://nonfungibleart.io/">Non-Fungible Art Inc</a> in Las Vegas to showcase the power of web3. I am also very excited to see how they combine the physical experience with the AR digital world.&nbsp;I played World of Warcraft for many years and one of the things that many players loved was to collect and show off their rare pets in-game. AR is going to allow us to collect and share these digital assets/collectibles in a Ready Player One scenario. If you are not familiar with <a href="https://br0ads1de.com/" data-mce-href="https://br0ads1de.com/">Broadside</a>, I would highly encourage you to take a look. They are a web3 project that does a really amazing job implementing and incorporating many different types of wearables from different projects and artists. Each digital collectible has a variety of different types of helmets, hats, hair styles, facial features, clothing which allows the owner to pick and choose exactly what type of features they like by either artist, style, rarity or just the overall appeal. Broadside already has crossed into a P2E game called <a href="https://niftyisland.com/" data-mce-href="https://niftyisland.com/">Nifty Island</a>, which allows you to use your Broadside assets in game. The next level up will be playing this and interacting with these assets in an AR setting. I can’t wait!<h3>Scarcity and Rarity in the Digital Realm</h3>AR technology provides a unique opportunity to implement scarcity and rarity features in digital collectibles. Through AR, developers can create limited-edition AR experiences tied to specific collectibles. This scarcity adds value to digital items, much like rare physical collectibles in the traditional world. The concept of owning a rare AR experience associated with a digital collectible adds an extra layer of exclusivity and prestige to the collecting hobby.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.candy.com/" data-mce-href="https://www.candy.com/">Candy Digital</a> has several options for digital collectibles and one that stands out for me is the <a href="https://medium.com/@DCNFTS/everything-you-need-to-know-about-bat-cowls-d9dfcadef01e" data-mce-href="https://medium.com/@DCNFTS/everything-you-need-to-know-about-bat-cowls-d9dfcadef01e">Batman Batcowls collection</a>. Each bat cowl is completely unique with its own variation and rarity of traits. Some of these cowls are selling for $1000’s of dollars. Imagine halloween 2025 and you are dressed up as Batman, however, because of the advances in AR and spatial computing, you are able to display all your collectible wearables for anyone who has AR glasses to view. I know a bunch of cowl holders that can’t wait to be able to “wear” their batcowls in AR. My expectation leads me to believe that there will be an entire collection of Batman &amp; DC character related digital wearables to be able to collect and wear in AR. The flexes are going to be absolutely amazing.<h3>Educational and Historical Perspectives</h3>AR technology can also be leveraged to provide educational content and historical context for digital collectibles. Users can access augmented information about the origin, artist, or significance of a particular digital item. This not only enhances the educational aspect of collecting but also preserves the history and stories behind each digital collectible, adding depth to the overall collecting experience.&nbsp;If a brand has a product that can be tokenized, it will. Revenue in perpetuity will be the new revenue stream for many organizations. Coca-Cola has a 100+ year history of physical collectibles that are resold over and over and over. They see no income from those sales. Companies like Coca-Cola will start tokenizing those assets to create a new revenue-in-perpetuity stream for themselves, while also significantly benefitting the buyer and the seller by incentivizing them with tokenized provenance and an authenticity guarantee. A complete win win for all parties.<h3>Conclusion</h3>The integration of Augmented Reality into the realm of digital collectibles marks a significant leap forward in the evolution of collecting hobbies. The immersive experiences, real-world integration, enhanced social interactions, and the introduction of scarcity through AR contribute to a more vibrant and engaging collecting ecosystem. As technology continues to advance, the fusion of AR and digital collectibles is likely to redefine how we perceive, value, and interact with our cherished virtual possessions.

The Transformative Impact of Augmented Reality on Digital Collectibles

COMIC BOOK COVER VARIANTS: ORIGINS TO PHYGITAL POPULARITY

Mint numbers have been a part of the physical collecting hobby for generations, but with the emergence of digital collectibles, they’ve taken on a whole new level of significance. Often referred to as serials, mint numbers can be found on all types of collectibles including trading cards, limited edition art prints, comics, coins, watches, and more! These numbers indicate scarcity, prove uniqueness within a series, and add to the authenticity of an item. Most importantly, however, they are a key way of differentiating value between otherwise similar or identical collectibles.&nbsp; <h3>Physical Mint Numbers </h3>Sports cards are probably the most prominent example of mint numbers in physical collecting today. If you ever watch pack break videos, you’ve probably noticed that the breakers get really excited when they land a numbered card, which is limited to a certain quantity and assigned a unique number (e.g. 10/100). Collectors generally value first, last and jersey match serials the most for sports cards. <a href="https://x.com/SlabStox/status/1407347620700426250?s=20" data-mce-href="https://x.com/SlabStox/status/1407347620700426250?s=20">In April 2021, two LaMelo Ball 2020 Prizm Blue Shimmer cards numbered to 35 were sold.</a> One of the cards was numbered 14/35 and was sold for $12,800, whereas the other card numbered 2/35 (LaMelo’s jersey number) sold for $18,311. That’s a 43% premium paid for the jersey match card!<figure id="figure-78smb6v1rlqv2ryhf"><img id="78smb6v1rlqv2ryhf" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/17hCtkTkdxrkrfaqR19VfHJhnYJ99i1RjBAsBA5Tz0FQn7VRzObn1NkSQAaQpuxo.jpg" alt="collectibles rarity" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-lg md:rounded-xl lg:rounded-2xl" style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="" data-positionx="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/17hCtkTkdxrkrfaqR19VfHJhnYJ99i1RjBAsBA5Tz0FQn7VRzObn1NkSQAaQpuxo.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3> </h3>Another great example of where mint numbers really matter is in numismatics. Numismatics, the hobby of collecting coins, bills, and other currencies, is a massive $8.8B market (just for coins alone) and is expected to <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/coin-collection-market-from-data-action-making-sense-research-kamble-d1wif/?trk=public_post" data-mce-href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/coin-collection-market-from-data-action-making-sense-research-kamble-d1wif/?trk=public_post">grow to an estimated $17.3B by 2029</a>. The only time you may have paid attention to the serial number on your bills was during a heated game of Liar’s Poker, but did you know that collector’s pay top dollar (pun intended) for what are known as “fancy serials”?Paper Money Guarantee (PMG), CGC’s paper money grading service, actually recognizes <a href="https://www.pmgnotes.com/news/article/5901/Fancy-Serial-Numbers-On-Currency/?fbclid=IwAR2DGLrmUfo7H48GbdTPqSg_Ms40DrV-985BSsogfms_x4-kgcAcbYzA3Rs" data-mce-href="https://www.pmgnotes.com/news/article/5901/Fancy-Serial-Numbers-On-Currency/?fbclid=IwAR2DGLrmUfo7H48GbdTPqSg_Ms40DrV-985BSsogfms_x4-kgcAcbYzA3Rs">numerous types of fancy serial numbers on their labels</a>. Some of these fancy serial types include ascending and descending ladders (e.g. 12345678 or 76543210), binary (e.g. 11010010), radar (palindrome, eg. 12344321), solid (e.g. 77777777), and low numbers (one of first 10 printed). To highlight some sales, Heritage Auctions sold an 1899 $1 Silver Certificate bill with an ascending ladder serial of “N12345678N” for <a href="https://currency.ha.com/itm/large-size/silver-certificates/fr-232-1-1899-silver-certificate-pcgs-gem-new-66ppq/a/3526-17426.s" data-mce-href="https://currency.ha.com/itm/large-size/silver-certificates/fr-232-1-1899-silver-certificate-pcgs-gem-new-66ppq/a/3526-17426.s">$8225 in January 2014</a>. A 2013 United States $1 bill with Serial Number “00000001” also <a href="https://currency.ha.com/itm/small-size/federal-reserve-notes/serial-number-00000001-fr-3001-e-1-2013-federal-reserve-note-pcgs-gem-new-66ppq/a/3535-18083.s?ic4=ListView-ShortDescription-071515" data-mce-href="https://currency.ha.com/itm/small-size/federal-reserve-notes/serial-number-00000001-fr-3001-e-1-2013-federal-reserve-note-pcgs-gem-new-66ppq/a/3535-18083.s?ic4=ListView-ShortDescription-071515">sold on Heritage in August 2015 for $8,225</a>. Without its fancy serial, this bill would be worth its face value of just $1!<figure id="figure-pzmmmcetolqv2s7r1"><img id="pzmmmcetolqv2s7r1" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/fDAC7WPuKkLMzhOKH8dRhbNWRrFkkDy6boa0E2NQXwo8a8XSssqo4GiMq8RIGxPy.jpg" alt="digital authentication" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-lg md:rounded-xl lg:rounded-2xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="null" data-positiony="null" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/fDAC7WPuKkLMzhOKH8dRhbNWRrFkkDy6boa0E2NQXwo8a8XSssqo4GiMq8RIGxPy.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Digital Mint Numbers </h3>In physical collecting, serial numbers are an important way to differentiate value, but the condition of the item also plays a huge factor. Grading companies created scales to assign values based on condition, which allowed collectors to distinguish between otherwise very similar items and assign values accordingly. With digital collecting, however, there is no degradation in condition, so collectibles with multiple editions are all completely identical save for their mint numbers. Thus, mint numbers are really the ONLY way to differentiate value between identical digital collectibles.&nbsp;<figure id="figure-mhq978pv5jlqv2shx8"><img id="mhq978pv5jlqv2shx8" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/17tYjydz0vrLAre9iUKbu1llTzAyYJQ2OmApZ6N2Dzs0KhyPwCVSswD0gbqGZMFX.png" alt="lightsaber" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-lg md:rounded-xl lg:rounded-2xl" style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="" data-positionx="null" data-positiony="null" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/17tYjydz0vrLAre9iUKbu1llTzAyYJQ2OmApZ6N2Dzs0KhyPwCVSswD0gbqGZMFX.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3> </h3>In the digital space, mint numbers often refer to the order in which a collectible was minted. As such, some collectors are most interested in those earliest numbers. But as we’ve seen on digital collectibles platforms such as VeVe, collectors are also willing to spend a premium for other special mint numbers like last mints, palindromes, publishing years (e.g. 1977 for Star Wars collectibles), and even the number 616 for Marvel collectibles, referring to the MCU’s Earth-616.&nbsp;<figure id="figure-pa9gb1nvdlqv2syi9"><img id="pa9gb1nvdlqv2syi9" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/3aJbWBzkwY4IpSfmeRT5kbPxs2OC6tgSpwTtFUsCWjL53d7O4r3zRuCVPCvqejUt.png" alt="collectors community" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-lg md:rounded-xl lg:rounded-2xl" style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="" data-positionx="null" data-positiony="null" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/3aJbWBzkwY4IpSfmeRT5kbPxs2OC6tgSpwTtFUsCWjL53d7O4r3zRuCVPCvqejUt.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: center center;"></figure>A Legendary rarity Batman #1 digital comic with edition #0/223 (first mint number of the collection)<a href="https://www.candy.com/dc/editions/58ed6aad-5b2d-48a3-a01b-382bf8b60116" data-mce-href="https://www.candy.com/dc/editions/58ed6aad-5b2d-48a3-a01b-382bf8b60116"> recently sold on Candy’s marketplace</a> for a whopping $15,000, which is almost 5 times higher than the 30-day average of about $3,100 for this comic. And in November, a Walt Disney Partners Statue with mint #1901 (the year Walt Disney was born) <a href="https://x.com/kalleebrookes/status/1726739233333817364?s=20" data-mce-href="https://x.com/kalleebrookes/status/1726739233333817364?s=20">sold on VeVe for $14,999</a>, which is about 6 times higher than its current floor price of about $2,500. As you can see, collectors consider these low and special mint numbers as one-of-a-kind and are willing to pay a serious premium to get their hands on them.&nbsp;<h3>The Hunt for Special Mints</h3>Let's say you really want the physical jersey match card for your favorite basketball player, like a Michael Jordan card numbered 23/100. If that card is never listed for sale or posted on social media, you'd likely never be able to find it. You'd have no way of knowing if that card is still inside a pack somewhere on a shelf in a hobby shop or has been torn apart by someone's pet dog. You may be able to verify the existence of a special mint through a grading company's census, but unfortunately, you likely will not have a way of contacting the owner. The process of finding owners of physical items can be time-consuming and extremely frustrating.But in the digital collecting space, hunting for these desirable mint numbers has become much easier. It's now possible to find out immediately if a specific digital collectible has been minted, is still in a digital pack yet to be ripped, or has been burned. You can make an offer to the owner of the digital collectible and have it delivered to your wallet in seconds without needing to track them down. This seamless experience is already transforming the way collectors go about building their collections, and we expect that it will get even better as the technology progresses and more people take their collecting digital.

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COMIC BOOK COVER VARIANTS: ORIGINS TO PHYGITAL POPULARITY

Why Mint Numbers Matter