Funko Pop Grading and Authentication: A Collector's Guide

A Funko Pop with the right signature can be the centerpiece of a shelf. This guide covers how SWAU Auth Funko Pop grading and encapsulation works, how a signed Pop gets authenticated, and what affects what a signed Pop is worth.

What Funko Pop grading is

Grading gives a Pop an overall grade from experts who review the figure and its box. With SWAU Auth, the grade is printed on the front of the SWAU label, so anyone looking at your shelf can see it at a glance.

Every graded submission is photographed and recorded, then made available online through a scannable QR code or certification number. You can see how your piece compares with others on the SWAU population report.

How a signed Pop gets authenticated

A signed Pop has two things to check: the collectible and the autograph. SWAU Auth's Funko team reviews the Pop, and our autograph experts review the signature separately. When the signature checks out, the piece is encapsulated with an Authentic Autograph label.

Not ready to send it in? Funko Pop Online Verification gives you an expert opinion from your photos. Specialists look at the box construction, window, stickers, paint and production details, and the autograph if there is one. You get back a result of Likely Authentic, Likely Altered or Not Likely Authentic. Because it is based on photos, an online opinion is a first step, and in hand review is the full picture.

Encapsulation: why slab a Pop

A Pop box is cardboard and a window, and both pick up dings, creases and sun fade over time. The SWAU holder is UV resistant and tamper evident, and each one is hermetically and sonically sealed. That keeps the box looking the way it did the day it was graded, with a clean label that keeps your eye on the piece.

What affects a signed Funko Pop's value

There is no single price for a signed Pop, but the same few things come up again and again:

• The signer and the character. A lead actor signing the Pop of the role they are known for draws the most interest. A signer who seldom signs for collectors adds to that.
• Box condition. Collectors look at corners, window clarity and creases. A graded and encapsulated box answers that question up front.
• Where the signature sits and how it looks. A clean, well placed signature in a metallic or contrasting ink displays well. Inscriptions and character names add personality.
• Proof. A signature with clear provenance, such as a witnessed signing or an authentication label you can look up online, is easier to buy, sell and insure.
• Exclusives and stickers. Convention and retailer exclusives matter to Funko collectors, so make sure the sticker is original to the box.

For a formal number on a piece you own, request an autograph appraisal. To see what signed Pops have sold for, browse past SWAU Auction results. For more on what drives autograph prices in general, read What Determines the Value of Autographs?

Grading a Pop you already own: how to submit

1. Order Funko Pop Grading and Encapsulation on SWAU Auth, and choose whether the Pop is signed.
2. Print your receipt with the order number showing and pack it with your Pop.
3. Package the Pop securely and ship it to SWAU Auth using the address on the product page.

Going to a show? At conventions where SWAU Auth offers event drop off, you can hand your Pops to our authentication team in person instead of shipping them.

Buying signed Pops that were witnessed

If you would rather skip the question of whether a signature is real, start with a Pop that was signed in front of SWAU. Every signed Funko Pop in SWAU's signed Funko Pop collection was hand signed at a SWAU private signing and carries a SWAU Witness hologram you can look up at swau.com/verify, including Pops from Tom Holland, Pedro Pascal and Chris Pratt. Witnessed by SWAU. Guaranteed for life.

FAQ

Can you grade a Funko Pop that isn't signed?

Yes. Standard grading and encapsulation is available for unsigned Pops. Signed Pops can add the autograph review.

Can I check a Pop online before buying it?

Yes. Funko Pop Online Verification gives an expert opinion based on your photos.

How do I look up a graded Pop?

Scan the QR code on the label or enter the certification number on SWAU Auth to see the record and photos.

Where can I see how many of a Pop have been graded?

Check the SWAU population report.

Ready to grade? Submit your items to SWAU Auth.