TOYS The Rarest Toys

Here is my attempt to document the rarest Dino-Rider toys.  These toys appear very common to the average fan but to a more discerning eye, these pieces are actually quite unique.  I have rated these pieces on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the rarest.

Adult Llahd

Rarity Level: 5

There has been a lot of speculation and alternative theories on the origin of the adult Llahd figure.  The most plausible explanation is that on some of the early Pterodactyl sets, Tyco used an adult Llahd instead of the more common small figure.  This version of Llahd uses the same basic mold as the Yungstar figure.  The color schemes on the adult Llahd are virtually identical to the more common small figure.  I have seen this figure surface several times and it appears that it had a pretty decent production run.  Although not the rarest of all Dino-Rider toys, this is still an interesting piece to collect.

Japanese Llahd

Rarity Level: 7

The Japanese version of Llahd (packaged with the Pterodactyl) is virtually identical to its U.S. counterpart.  However, the Japanese version has painted black eyes instead of the more common light blue.

 

Japanese Questar

Rarity Level: 7

The Japanese version of Questar (packaged with the Diplodocus) is virtually identical to its U.S. counterpart.  However, the Japanese version has painted black eyes instead of the more common light blue.

Japanese Gunner

Rarity Level: 7

The Japanese version of Gunner (packaged with the Torosaurus) is virtually identical to its U.S. counterpart.  However, the Japanese version has painted black eyes instead of the more common light blue.

Japanese Magnus

Rarity Level: 7

The Japanese version of Magnus (packaged with the Torosaurus) is virtually identical to its U.S. counterpart.  However, the Japanese version has painted black eyes instead of the more common light blue.

Japanese Aries

Rarity Level: 7

The Japanese version of Aries (packaged with the Diplodocus) is virtually identical to its U.S. counterpart.  However, the Japanese version has painted black eyes instead of the more common light blue.

Japanese Turret

Rarity Level: 8

The Japanese version of Turret (packaged with the Styracosaurus) is identical to its U.S counterpart except it has black hair instead of the more common brown hair and it has painted black eyes instead of the more common light blue.  The difference between the Japanese and U.S. Turret figures is more pronounced than the difference between the other Japanese figures.

Mail-away Pterodactyl

Rarity Level: 7

Those who collected Dino-Riders proof of purchase points and joined the Dino-Riders fan club received one of two fan club packages.  One of those packages contained a repainted Pterodactyl toy.  Instead of the usual gray and light brown, this Pterodactyl sported a bright orange and dark brown color scheme.  This is definitely a cool toy that is highly sought after.

Smithsonian Quetzalcoatlus

Rarity Level: 8

When the Quetzalcoatlus was re-released as part of the Smithsonian Institution line, its name was changed to Pterodactylus and its head crest was removed in order to make it more scientifically accurate.  These pieces are not very common.

Smithsonian Stegosaurus (Version 1)

Rarity Level: 10

When the Stegosaurus was re-released as part of the Smithsonian Institution line, some versions featured paint schemes that differed from their Dino-Riders counterparts.  One such version had bright red plates.  The plates were one solid color, unlike the Dino-Rider Stegosaurus which featured both gray and red plates.

Smithsonian Stegosaurus (Version 2)

Rarity Level: 10

Another variation of the Stegosaurus featured a dark green color scheme with mint green on the lower part of the legs.  This piece is very hard to find.