Barbie Collectible Dolls
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You too, can become fluent in the language of Barbie® doll collectors worldwide with these commonly used terms!
A/O
All Original. This phrase is often used at online auctions and other doll web sites to describe a particular doll.
HTF
Hard to find. Common abbreviation used at online auctions and other doll web sites.
MIB
Mint In Box (factory mint-condition doll in original box).
MIP
Mint in Package. Similar to MIB. Denotes that all accessories are still in their original packaging.
MNB
Mint No Box (pristine-condition doll, no box).
NM
Near mint. Interchangeable with "excellent" when describing a doll's condition.
NRFB
Never Removed From Box.
OSS
Original Swim Suit.
#1 Ponytail
'59 original Barbie®, white irises, blue liner, holes in feet, body material whitens with age.
#2 Ponytail
'59, same as original Barbie®, but no holes in feet.
#3 Ponytail
'60, blue irises, more gently curved eyebrows.
#4 Ponytail
'60, new vinyl used for body that retains its color over time.
#5 Ponytail
'61, new hair texture, hollow body that's lighter in weight.
Twist 'N Turn® Waist
A moveable waist common to Barbie® dolls of the mid-1960s and beyond. Some Barbie® dolls have a variation of this waist.
Book Value
Pricing Guide value of a particular doll. This is not necessarily the amount you can get selling it on the secondary market. Value may vary from guide to guide.
Market Value
Actual price you can expect to sell a particular doll for. Prices vary over time and due to a number of other factors. See online auction sites for market values.
BarbieSM Fan Club Exclusive
Barbie® dolls sold by Mattel through the BarbieCollector.com online shop, and available only to members of the BarbieSM Fan Club.
Collector Edition
Barbie® dolls produced in quantities of more than 35,000*, and are designed for collecting and displaying. Most dolls come in showcase packaging that includes a doll stand and a Certificate of Authenticity.
Direct Exclusive
Barbie® dolls sold in the United States by Mattel through the Barbie® Collector mail catalog or the BarbieCollector.com online shop only. (This exclusive policy applies to the United States only. Dolls may be sold to retail customers outside the United States.)
Gold Label™
Numbered editions of 25,000 worldwide or less, available at select retailers.**
Limited Edition
Barbie® dolls produced in quantities limited to 35,000* or less. They tend to feature special fabrics and details that set them apart from other dolls, and are designed for collecting and displaying. Most dolls come in showcase packaging that includes a doll stand and a Certificate of Authenticity.
Online Exclusive
Barbie® dolls sold by Mattel through the BarbieCollector.com online shop only.
Pink Label™
An invitation to collecting, available where Barbie® dolls are sold.**
Platinum Label™
Numbered editions of less than 1,000 worldwide, available at select retailers.**
Silver Label™
Keepsake dolls with no more than 50,000 produced worldwide.**
Timeless Treasures
Celebrity (Elizabeth Taylor, Elvis, etc.) and/or character (Lucille Ball as Lucy Ricardo) collectible dolls.
Modern Barbie®
All Barbie® dolls produced beginning in 1972. (An "accepted" date among many collectors for the beginning of the Modern Barbie® era.)
Vintage Barbie®
All Barbie® dolls produced before 1972.
C Grading System
A system used by some collectors to rate the condition of your dolls. Designations are C-1 through C-10. C-1 is the poorest possible condition. C-10 is factory mint and NRFB (never removed from box).
Customized Dolls
Dolls created originally for a specific store, catalog or company. Most dolls in the Barbie® Collector line also include a doll stand and a Certificate of Authenticity and come in showcase packaging.
Mint & Complete
Pristine outfit and all accessories in mint condition.
Secondary Market
Those other than Mattel who buy and sell Barbie® dolls
Mattel does not guarantee that any doll will increase in value. Some dolls increase in value, some decrease and some remain the same.
*beginning in 2000
**part of the tier structure introduced in 2004
In 2004, Barbie® Collector introduced a color-coded “tier structure” system in which each tier represents an identifiable level of doll collecting, with special retail destinations and elegant packaging designed to enhance each doll’s beauty as well as clearly communicate which tier the doll belongs to.
Inspired by the innovative approach of today’s most successful designers’ in representing their fashion lines, from upscale boutiques to major department stores, each of the label colors is a way of segmenting Barbie® Collector dolls and communicating where they can be found.
The tiers start with Pink Label™ (pink being Barbie® doll's signature color, of course!), then continue on to Silver Label™, Gold Label™, and Platinum Label™, colors representing the high standards of each successive tier.
Below is the explanation of this color-coded tier structure including the types of dolls in each tier and where you might find the dolls you’re dreaming of.
Like many collectors, you may find yourself wondering what your Barbie® collection is worth. Mattel does not maintain secondary market pricing information, nor do we participate in secondary market trading, buying or selling of older dolls. Collector books, doll magazines, and Internet auction sites are your best bets for determining the value of a particular doll. Remember, this information may vary considerably and fluctuate over time, so it is best to consult a variety of sources. Mattel does not specifically endorse these sources or attest to the accuracy or reliability of any information they may provide.
Mattel does not guarantee that any product will increase in value. Some dolls increase in value, some depreciate and others remain the same. Countless books have been published about the history and evolution of Barbie® dolls, with some specifically devoted to the hobby of collecting. Such books can serve as tremendous resources, so browse your local bookseller for the most current titles available.
The online trading community is another good place to obtain value information. Check Internet auction sites for completed items to get a better idea of what your dolls may be worth.
So, how do you decide if dolls are worth the investment? Stay informed. Read books and magazines. Talk to fellow collectors. Go to shows. Join a local club. Know prices. Think about a doll's uniqueness, quality and workmanship. And, perhaps most importantly, buy those that appeal to you most. That way, investment or not, you've made a beautiful choice.
Like many collectors, you may find yourself wondering what your Barbie® collection is worth. Mattel does not maintain secondary market pricing information, nor do we participate in secondary market trading, buying or selling of older dolls. Collector books, doll magazines, and Internet auction sites are your best bets for determining the value of a particular doll. Remember, this information may vary considerably and fluctuate over time, so it is best to consult a variety of sources. Mattel does not specifically endorse these sources or attest to the accuracy or reliability of any information they may provide.
Mattel does not guarantee that any product will increase in value. Some dolls increase in value, some depreciate and others remain the same. Countless books have been published about the history and evolution of Barbie® dolls, with some specifically devoted to the hobby of collecting. Such books can serve as tremendous resources, so browse your local bookseller for the most current titles available.
The online trading community is another good place to obtain value information. Check Internet auction sites for completed items to get a better idea of what your dolls may be worth.
So, how do you decide if dolls are worth the investment? Stay informed. Read books and magazines. Talk to fellow collectors. Go to shows. Join a local club. Know prices. Think about a doll's uniqueness, quality and workmanship. And, perhaps most importantly, buy those that appeal to you most. That way, investment or not, you've made a beautiful choice.
ALL INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY.