With their big heads and outsized personalities, Funko Pops are as a charming as they are collectible. Some are actually worth a ton of money too, although identifying which Funko Pops are rare requires understanding a few factors about them. For example, some Funko Pops were made in super limited quantities, and the number of Funko Pops made for a set can heavily influence value.
While it's impossible to know when a Funko Pop toy is first released if it will become valuable, it's far more likely if the Pop is a limited edition. How valuable depends on the demand of collectors.
List of the Rarest and Most Valuable Funko Pops
The rarest Funko Pops can be worth thousands of dollars, often because they are just super hard to come by. These "holy grail" examples might not be in everyone's collection, but they're fun to dream about owning. If you think you might have one of these, it's definitely worth looking into its value.
Values change all the time as collector demand shifts, but these are some of the rarest and most valuable.
| Funko Pop | Estimated Value |
|---|---|
| Golden Ticket 2-Pack | $100,000 |
| Clockwork Orange Funko Pop | $60,000 |
| Freddy Funko Metallic Iron Man | $43,000 |
| Freddy Funko Metallic Ghost Rider | $23,000 |
| Freddy Funko Buzz Lightyear | $24,000 |
| Boo Berry Funko Pop | $20,000 |
| Freddy Funko (Bloody) as Jaime Lannister | $19,000 |
| Freddy Funko as Venom | $19,000 |
| Freddy Funko as The Joker | $13,000 |
| Dumbo Funko Pop | $8,400 |
| Ken Griffey, Jr. Gold Funko Pop | $8,100 |
| Freddy Funko Stan Lee | $4,700 |
2016 Golden Ticket 2-Pack Funko Pops
The rarest Funko Pop may be the 2016 Golden Ticket 2-pack Golden Version of Willy Wonka and Oompa Loompa. In addition to the Funko Pops, the four winners were treated a tour of the Funko factory. A two-pack of these Funko Pops has an estimated value of at least $71,000, and one sold for $100,000.
There were only 10 sets of the 2-pack Golden Version Willy Wonka and Oompa Loompa made. Only four were distributed to the four Golden Tickets found in the Funko branded chocolate bars. It has long been rumored that the remaining six 2-packs were distributed to Funko employees.
Clockwork Orange Funko Pop
One of only 24 ever made (and only 12 Chase Pop versions), the Clockwork Orange Funko Pop is a record-setter as well. An example (the glow in the dark style) sold for $60,000 in 2022. It set the record for the second most ever paid for a Funko Pop.
Freddy Funko Metallic Iron Man
Another contender for one of the most valuable Funko Pops is the Freddy Funko metallic Iron Man. In 2022, he sold for $43,000 to the same collector who owns a Willy Wonka Golden Ticket set. There are only two Freddy Funko 12-piece sets that include Marvel characters, and only one is Iron Man. It's considered one of the rarest Funko Pops out there.
Freddy Funko Metallic Ghost Rider
The other Freddy Funko 12-piece set with a Marvel character was Ghost Rider. This super rare Pop has an estimated value of just over $23,000. There aren't any recent sales to corroborate the value, however.
Freddy Funko Buzz Lightyear
To Infinity & Beyond - I just added the rarest Buzz's to my collection!!
by u/grailmonster in funkopop
One of only 25 known to exist, this super rare glow-in-the-dark version of the Buzz Lightyear Funko may be worth about $24,000. They were given out at the San Diego Comic-Con in 2011, 2012, and 2013.
Boo Berry Funko Pop
Although there are several versions of the General Mills Boo Berry character, the original Freddy Funko Boo Berry released at the 2011 San Diego Comic-Con is worth the most. His estimated value is over $20,000 if he's the early glow-in-the-dark version.
Freddy Funko (Bloody) as Jaime Lannister
This Game of Thrones-themed Funko is a super rare holy grail to collectors. With only 12 regular and 12 glow-in-the-dark examples made, this one is super hard to find. It's also worth an estimated $19,000 or more.
Freddy Funko as Venom
First look at Freddy as Venom (LE 24)
by u/Startreknbc in funkopop
Dating from 2019, Freddy Funko as Venom (the version showing an SE in the corner of the box) might be worth just under $19,000. Only 24 of these were ever made, making them super rare and coveted by collectors.
Freddy Funko as The Joker
With an estimated value of over $13,000, another valuable example is Freddy Funko as The Joker. The glow-in-the-dark version is especially sought after, although the regular version is also an important piece in any collection.
Dumbo Funko Pop
That beloved elephant is pretty rare and valuable in Funko Pop form, especially if you happen to have the clown face variant with Dumbo wearing clown makeup. They have an estimated value of over $8,400.
Ken Griffey, Jr. Gold Funko Pop
First look at the Ken Griffey Jr Pop gold variant limited to 24 pieces
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A gold metallic Funko Pop of Major League Baseball player Ken Griffey, Jr. is another super collectible example. If the Pop has his autograph, it's worth even more. An autographed Ken Griffey, Jr. has an estimated value of about $8,100.
Freddy Funko Stan Lee (Blue Shirt)
Another contender for one of the most valuable Funko Pops is the Freddy Funko Stan Lee with a blue shirt. It has an estimated value of just under $4,700.
Many collectors argue that the two exclusive metallic and platinum Stan Lee Pop Vinyls take the prize for rarity as well. This series was designed by Stan Lee, and each design only had 10 pieces produced.
What Makes a Funko Pop Rare?
The main factor that makes a Funko Pop rare is when there's a small number of pieces produced and if it is a regular or Chase Pop Vinyl. Chase Pop versions are special editions that are produced in limited numbers.
If a Pop Vinyl features a Chase sticker on the box, you can use it to help you identify how the Pop Vinyl is different from the regular ones released. This sticker is located on the lower righthand corner of the box. You can use the Chase sticker as an identifier that the vinyl Pop inside the box has a smaller number produced than a regular Pop.
Chase Pop Vinyl Variants
A Chase Pop Vinyl is a variant from the regular Vinyl Pops. It can be a different costume, different colors, metallic or platinum finish, different molds used, different icons featured, or some other difference in the regular Vinyl Pop design.
Limited or Exclusive Editions
The number of Chase Pop Vinyls made are significantly lower than regular Pops. This can be as few as 48 to 1,000+. It stands to reason that the fewer Pops created, the rarer they are. However, just because a Pop may be rare doesn't necessarily mean they are more valuable. If collectors aren't excited about the Chase Pop Vinyl and aren't excited about collecting, the price might not be much more than a regular pop.
Vaulted Pop Vinyls
A vaulted Pop Vinyl means it has been decommissioned and is no longer being produced. Whenever a Pop Vinyl is vaulted, some collectors grab them, in expectation the Pop Vinyl will become valuable.
A vaulted Pop Vinyl may not immediately increase in value, since you can often continue to purchase them, sometimes at discounted prices. The demand determines how valuable a Pop Vinyl becomes.
Older Pop Vinyls
Some Pop Vinyls (unmarked) may be rare and valuable Funko Pops simply because of their age. These Pop Vinyls are no longer being produced and offer special design features that collectors appreciated.
How to Purchase Pop Vinyls
You can purchase regular, exclusive, and Chase Pop Vinyls in some retail stores. You can also pre-order through various online sellers, such as Big Apple Collectibles. The Chase Pop Vinyls increase in value the moment you purchase them, since they are produced in a much smaller quantity than regular Pop Vinyls.
Buy Directly From Funko
You can purchase Funko Pops directly from the Funko company online shop. If you prefer in-person shopping, you can visit Funko retail stores in Hollywood, CA; Funko HQ in Everett, WA; San Diego, CA; Chatsworth, CA; or London, UK.
Attend Funko Pop Fundays
Another way to get Funko Pops is to attend the Funko Fundays at the San Diego Comic-Con. You will receive a box of assorted Pop Vinyls, along with different opportunities to win door prizes.
Convention Exclusives
The Pop Vinyls sold at a Comic-Con, such as the one at San Diego, feature Comic-Con exclusive editions with the specific Comic-Con sticker. It's impossible to predict which of these may become valuable in the world of Funko Pop collecting, but you can be certain they are in a limited quantity.
Ways to Authenticate Your Funko Pops
There are ways you can authenticate your Funko Pops, such as the art on the box, the stickers on the box, fonts used, barcodes, factory codes, and the figurine design. Many collectors choose to use the Pop Price Guide authentication service. The Whatnot app connects to a community of buyers and sellers of authenticated collectibles. Whatnot checks out every item for its condition and authentication.
Collect Funko Pops That Are Rare and Valuable
It's easy to identify rare and valuable Funko Pops when you know what to look for in the packaging, but it can be difficult to predict which ones will be super collectible. Some of it simply comes down to luck and just collecting what you really love. Have fun and add to your collection when you can, and you'll get a ton of enjoyment out of this exciting hobby.
