amiibo Glossary: The Terms Collectors Use (Sealed, Wave, Reprint, Grade)

Collector language is simple, but if you don’t know it, you get exploited: ‘sealed premium’, ‘first print’, ‘wave’, ‘grade’. This glossary keeps it practical.

Common Terms (Practical Definitions)

• Sealed: unopened in original packaging (but condition can still be bad).
• Wave: a release batch/time period for a set of figures.
• Reprint/Restock: a later run that increases availability.
• First print: early production run (collector relevance varies).
• Grade: a condition rating (A/B/C/D) based on visible wear.
• Shelf wear: scuffs/soft corners from retail handling.
• Blister: the clear plastic front bubble on sealed packaging.
• Variant: a small change in packaging/printing across regions or runs.

Rule: whenever someone uses ‘rare’ without condition proof, translate it as ‘marketing’ until proven otherwise.

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