ordicio

Collecting guide

How to Collect Toys and Models

Model railways, model vehicles, figures, dolls, construction sets, vintage toys and games.

Toys were made to be played with, so the ones that survived complete, working and in their box are the ones collectors want. A good toy record answers three questions: what exactly is it, is everything there, and what state is it in?

Getting Started

ordicio’s toy categories each have their own fields:

Choose a maker, a scale, a line or a period. Completing a set or a catalogue year gives a collection direction.

What to Record

Condition and Grading

Toy dealers grade on a C1 to C10 scale, where C10 is mint and C6 is still a good display piece; the box gets a grade of its own. Note paint loss, broken or replaced parts, repaints and working order. An original box in good condition can be worth as much as the toy inside.

Care and Storage

Keep toys out of direct sunlight, which fades plastic and boxes, at a steady temperature and away from damp, which rusts tin. Store boxes so that nothing heavy rests on them, and take the batteries out of battery-operated toys.

Mistakes to Avoid

Kinds of Toys & Models

The Data Sheet for Toys & Models

The 23 fields worth recording for toys & models, grouped as in the ordicio app.

Identification

Manufacturer Text
Toy or model maker, e.g. Märklin, Hornby, Lionel, Matchbox, Kenner, Steiff, LEGO.
Catalogue / item number Text
Manufacturer's article or set number, e.g. 3029, 75192, 1:18 ref. 180 038 106.
Model Text
Model or product name given by the manufacturer.
Production years Text
Years the item was produced, e.g. 1957 to 1962.
Country Text
Country of origin or issue, by its usual English name (historic states as named at the time, e.g. Kingdom of Bavaria).
Reference link Link
Web page about this object or its reference entry (catalogue, database, sale).

Condition

State of the toy and its packaging.

Toy grade Choice
Condition of the toy itself on the C1 to C10 scale of the toy trade.
  • C10 Mint
  • C9 Near mint
  • C8 Excellent
  • C7 Fine
  • C6 Very good
  • C5 Good
  • C4 Fair
  • C3 Poor
  • C2 Very poor
  • C1 Junk
Packaging Choice
State of the item and its original packaging.
  • Mint in sealed box (MISB)
  • Mint in box (MIB)
  • Mint on card (MOC)
  • Never removed from box (NRFB)
  • Box opened, complete
  • Loose, complete
  • Loose, incomplete
Box condition Text
Condition of the original box or card, e.g. C8, corner wear, price sticker.
Completeness Text
Parts, accessories, inserts and instructions present or missing.
Condition notes Text
Faults, wear and damage in detail.
Restoration & repairs Text
Restorations, repairs, replaced parts and cleaning, with who did them and when if known.

Acquisition

How and when the object came into the collection.

Acquisition date Date
Date the object came into the collection.
Acquisition method Choice, or your own
How the object came into the collection.
  • Purchase
  • Auction
  • Gift
  • Inheritance
  • Exchange / trade
  • Self-collected / found
  • Commission
Acquired from Text
Seller, auction house (with sale and lot number), donor or place where it was found.
Purchase price Amount
Price paid including fees and premiums.
Provenance Text
Earlier owners and the object's history, oldest first, with sources (labels, invoices, sale catalogues).

Value

Estimated and insured value.

Estimated value Amount
Current market value as estimated.
Valuation date Date
Date of the current value estimate.
Valuation basis Choice
What the estimated value is based on.
  • Own estimate
  • Recent sales / auction results
  • Dealer offer
  • Catalogue value
  • Professional appraisal
  • Insurance valuation
Insured value Amount
Sum the object is insured for.

Collection record

Your own inventory data.

Inventory number Text
Your own number or label for the object, e.g. C-0042, as written on its label or album page.
Storage location Text
Where the object is kept, e.g. room, cabinet, drawer, album and page, box.

Standards and References

The data sheets follow the standards collectors, dealers and museums use:

Updated October 24, 2026