Before diving into the ultra-rare grails, let‘s set the scene on Funko Pops so you can better appreciate why certain figures command such astronomical prices…
What Are Funko Pops?
Funko Pops are highly collectible vinyl figures covering iconic characters from movies, TV shows, video games, music, and other pop culture franchises. With their large heads, wide eyes, and compact bodies, Funko Pops offer cute, stylized interpretations of fan-favorite characters.
While Funko releases many standard Pop figures in large production runs, they also frequently produce special variant editions with exclusive color schemes, glow-in-the-dark effects, metallic finishes, and ultra-low production numbers as exclusives for events like San Diego Comic Con.
These limited edition Funko Pops drive immense interest and value thanks to tiny supply and massive demand from collectors. Owning them puts you in exclusive company amongst the Funko fandom.
But trying to buy them often requires being at the right place at the right time…or being willing to shell out life-changing money to obtain them later from other collectors. They are the holy grails of Funko collecting!
Now let‘s unveil the 12 rarest of the rare Funko Pop grails that every collector dreams of owning!
| Name | Event Exclusive | Edition Size | Recent Value | Why It‘s Special |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SDCC 2011 Glow Freddy Funko as Freddy Krueger | SDCC 2011 | 48 pieces | $7,500 | First ever glow Funko. Iconic horror style |
| SDCC 2012 Franken Berry Glow in the Dark | SDCC 2012 | 48 pieces | $15,000 | Equally iconic monster cereal mascot |
| SDCC 2013 Gold Dumbo | SDCC 2013 | 48 pieces | $18,000 | Gorgeous gold finish. Beloved Disney classic |
| SDCC 2013 Clown Dumbo | SDCC 2013 | 48 pieces | $10,000 | Creepy matchup to iconic Dumbo style |
| NYCC 2017 Red Metallic Stan Lee | NYCC 2017 | 12 pieces | $20,000 | Beautiful tribute fig to Marvel legend |
| SDCC 2016 Willy Wonka & Oompa Loompa Golden Ticket 2-Pack | SDCC 2016 | 10 sets produced | $100,000+ | Infused with mythic Golden Ticket lore |
| SDCC 2012 Glow Clockwork Orange (unreleased) | SDCC 2012 | Estimated 24 pieces | $100,000 | "Galaxy Grail" thanks to elite rarity |
| SDCC 2013 Bloody Jaime Lannister Glow | SDCC 2013 | 144 pieces | $15,000+ | Glowing bloody figure from GoT lore |
| SDCC 2011 Metallic Mickey Mouse | SDCC 2011 | 480 pieces | $4,000+ | Classy metallic look for iconic Disney mouse |
| NYCC 2014 Planet Arlia Vegeta Metallic | NYCC 2014 | 6 pieces! | $20,000+ | Most limited run Funko Pop ever |
| SDCC 2012 Metallic Ghost Rider | SDCC 2012 | 12 pieces | $15,000+ | Vibrant metallic tones on actual grail haul |
| SDCC 2012 Holographic Darth Maul | SDCC 2012 | 12 pieces | $15,000+ | Chromatic paint homage to iconic Star Wars hologram scene |
"Collectors get enthralled chasing rare offerings like these Grail pieces…it becomes incredibly personal to finally acquire them," remarked avid collector Evan Liu about the excitement of hunting elusive Pops.
Let‘s now explore the epic backstories and allure behind each of these legendary vinyls!
SDCC 2011 Glow Freddy Funko as Freddy Krueger
- Production: 48 pieces
- Recent Sale Price: $7,500
Kicking off the list is a holy grail from Funko‘s early days attending San Diego Comic Con…
When Did This Rare Piece Debut?
Back in 2011 when Funko was still a small company, they decided to take a huge leap by debuting an exclusive Pop line at their first-ever SDCC convention booth. And what better figure to launch with than a frightening icon – their mascot Freddy stylized as horror legend Freddy Krueger complete with striped sweater and razor glove!
In a bold move highlighting their soon-to-be signature innovation, Funko produced this Freddy Krueger in a glow-in-the-dark style, making it one of their very first glow figures. Yet they restricted the full production run to just 48 pieces to preserve exclusivity for SDCC attendees.
Why So Coveted Amongst Collectors?
Given the tiny supply coupled with Freddy‘s iconic crossover horror style, this figures quickly became the grail holy grail for many Funko collectors. It also holds special meaning as the pioneering glow Pop that helped Funko promote innovation and kicked off over 10 years of insane SDCC exclusives.
Owning this Pop puts you in extremely exclusive company as one of the few protectors of a true Funko historical treasure.
How Much Can This 2011 Freddy Purchase Command?
Back in 2011, attendees likely paid $15 or less for this glow Freddy Krueger Pop. But today it fetches north of $7,500 based on authentic sales between collectors. As the first-ever Con exclusive, its value should continue appreciating over time thanks to unmatched historical significance.
SDCC 2012 Franken Berry Glow in the Dark
- Production: 48 Pieces
- Recent Sale Price: $15,000
Fast forward another year later to SDCC 2012 when Funko replicated their glow grail formula into another iconic Pop culture franchise – monster cereals! Featuring Franken Berry, the famous strawberry cereal mascot, this frightening yet sweet vinyl absolutely enraptured cereal nostalgia collectors.
And similar to Freddy Krueger, Funko produced a standard 480-piece Franken Berry Pop at SDCC 2012 along with an incredibly limited glow figure capped at just 48 units!
Why So Significant Amongst Collectors?
"Funko struck gold with their cereal mascot lineup," commented avid Pop collector Mallory Mireles. "But the Franken Berry glow is the one everyone covets most…it uniquely captures the spirit of this classic monster cereal brand."
Considering Franken Berry‘s vibrant colors and heavily textured clothing details, the glow effect adds insane display appeal. Of course the astronomically limited supply cements this variant‘s mythical status.
Good Luck Trying to Find This Rarity!
Given the minuscule production run over 10 years ago, it‘s nothing short of a modern-day miracle whenever this Franken Berry Gem surfaces on secondary markets. But when it finally does, this holy grail Pop has commanded sales exceeding $15,000 thanks to its unmatched scarcity!
Matching Rarity with Cherished Style
Funko struck the perfect combo with Franken Berry glow…matching supreme rarity from a 48-piece Con exclusive with cherished nostalgia for a leading cereal mascot brand. It exemplifies the type of passion-fueled fervor that rare Funko Grails produce!
SDCC 2013 48-Piece Gold Dumbo
Next up, this exceptionally rare 2013 SDCC Exclusive Dumbo remains one of the most coveted Funko Grails nearly a decade later thanks to its regal gold construction.
- Production: 48 Pieces
- Recent Sale Price: $18,000
To honor an iconic Disney character, Funko selected Dumbo & his trademark oversized ears for a special gold paint job figure limited to only 48 pieces! Ever.
Unsurprisingly, getting your hands on glimmering gold Dumbo with striking red feather remains an immense challenge for collectors. But for those lucky few owners, this Disney Grail has commanded sales exceeding $18,000 in recent years thanks to unmatched scarcity and luxury status!
"That beautiful gold shimmering color makes it totally unique while still capturing Dumbo‘s classic visual aesthetic from the animated film," commented avid collector Chase Halbeisen. "The tiny 48-unit edition size coupled with beloved Disney style makes this a true holy grail."
Let‘s learn more about this ultra elite, ultra-rare Disney Dumbo!
Why So Precious Amongst Collectors?
Beyond the obvious allure of a solid gold Pop, this Dumbo hits the nostalgic sweet spot with Disney consumers young & old. Dumbo resonates as a cherished childhood favorite representing key themes like friendship, bravery, and overcoming adversity with emotional strength.
Owning this rare collectible allows fans to preserve their connection to this unforgettable Disney classic.
Beware Fakes & Frauds Due to Extreme Rarity
Considering only 48 legitimate Gold Dumbo‘s were produced, this Vinyl has unfortunately been subjected to counterfeits from dishonest collectors. So proper authentication is vital for both buyers and sellers. Stick to reputable appraisers and dealers with extensive experience confirming Pops‘ production markings and serial numbers against Funko‘s internal records.
Pocket Change in 2013, Potential Fortune in 2023!
As a 48-piece 2013 SDCC exclusive retailing around $15, it‘s incredible realizing this Gold Dumbo now commands over $18,000 at auction a decade later! Its unmatched scarcity and high desirability perfectly illustrate the gravitational shift towards Funko Pop culture collecting.
And based on current trends, who knows how high this Disney icon may appreciate over the next 10 years!
The Journey Continues Towards Owning Your Own Funko Holy Grail!
And there you have the inside scoop on 3 of the rarest, most coveted Funko Pop grails to ever hit production! But this is only scratching the surface of Outputs extraordinary vinyls out there.
Let the obsessive hunt continue…happy collecting!
