POP-A-PEZ: Resource Center: PEZ 101

Introduction

In addition to becoming a PEZ guru, knowing the basics of PEZ collecting is essential to making smart, informed purchases for your collection. An understanding of the dispensers and the terminology surrounding this hobby are crucial. In this section of the resource center you'll find a breakdown of the dispenser and its parts, terminology and PEZ-related jargon, and also a method to date your very own PEZ dispensers!

PEZ Anatomy (top of page)

The first thing PEZ collectors should familarize themselves with are the parts of a dispenser. An understanding of how PEZ are put together and taken apart will surely come in handy.

1. Head
The character molded head of a dispenser, that locks into the dispenser stem. The head may or may not have removable accessories. Both licensed and non-licensed characters have been produced since 1954. Note: Some heads are ONLY available on specific color stems (beware of stem switching).

2. Stem (footed)
All dispensers produced with a 4.9 patent number were made using footed stems. The "feet" on the bottom of this stem help the dispenser stand upright.

3. Stem (non-footed)
Dispensers with these non-footed stems tend to be more valuable, and are considered "vintage." Note: Some current dispensers, such as the R-series Trucks, reissue Regulars, and Valentine's Day Hearts are sold on a non-footed stem with a wider spine than vintage stems.

4. Metal Pin Hinge
Pictured is a small metal pin hinge that provides the "spring-action" of many vintage dispensers. This piece fits underneath the dispenser head and locks in to the head-candy pusher.

5. Plastic hinge
In 1963, PEZ began manufacture of this type of hinge. Metal hinges were produced for a few years later, until the transformation to the plastic hinge was complete. This hinge also provides the "spring-action" of the head of the dispenser. Current dispensers feature a multi-level plastic hinge, as pictured.

6. Candy Cartridge
Plastic part of a dispenser that slides up and down inside of the stem. Candy is loaded into this cartridge. These cartridges vary in color on many vintage dispensers, but most current dispensers feature a clear translucent white plastic.

7. Spings
The springs are loaded underneath the candy pusher, which secures its position inside the grooves of the stem. These springs provide the retractable loading mechanism as candy is removed from the dispenser.

8. Candy Pusher (stem)
These small pieces vary in shape, color and size depending on the specific dispenser and year of manufacture. Their function, however, remains the same, they secure the spring by locking into the grooves molded inside the stem. For this reason, only certain stems are compatible with certain candy pushers.

Terminology & Jargon (top of page)

Here are just a few of the many PEZ terms worth knowing. You are likely to run across most of these terms on other PEZ websites and in eBay item descriptions.

Copyright mark:	A logo, or mark made on liscensed characters that reveals ownership. These marks are sometimes very inconspicuous.
Die-Cut:	Variation on a vintage dispenser where a thin design was engraved into one side of the stem.
Fake Dispensers:	Dispensers that were not officially manufactured by the PEZ company.
Feet:	The plastic "tabs" or "stubs" at the bottom of a dispenser's stem to help the dispenser stand upright.
IMC Code:	A number inscribed on a dispenser's stem that indicates a particular injection molding facility used for manufacturing purposes. Most, but not all, dispensers have an IMC number.
Metal pin hinge	(see PEZ Anatomy)
MMM:	Refers to a specific series of dispensers that are often called Merry Music Makers. These dispensers have a whistle on the back of their heads. Characters are: Camel, Koala, Monkey, Tiger, Dog, Clown, Parrot, Indian, Rooster, Penguin, Donkey, Frog, Duck, Rhino, Lamb and Pig.
Patent Number:	String of seven digits on one side of a dispenser's stem. This number identifies a dispenser to a specific time period of manufacture.

Dating your PEZ (top of page)

Ever wonder what decade your PEZ were made in? There are a couple ways you could go about finding out. You could memorize an entire dispenser timeline of over 350 dispensers, but that would take far too much effort. The other option is to learn one basic ingredient to PEZ dating, the patent-method.

On every dispenser there is a patent number, a long string of numbers printed on one side of the stem. There are six different patent numbers: 2,620,061; 3,410,455; 3,845,882; 3,942,683; 4,966,305 and 5,984,285. Since each number was filed at a specific date in PEZ history, you can get a rough estimate of the age of any dispenser. When using this patent-method of PEZ dating, you need only to consult the first two numbers in each patent (i.e. 2.6, 3.4, 3.8, etc.). Below are the patent numbers along with their corresponding year of manufacture:

2.6: 1952 through 1968
3.4: 1968 through 1974
3.8: 1974 through 1976 3.9: 1976 through 1990
4.9: 1990 through 2004
5.9: 2004 - Current

Patent Number 3,410,455

Circa 1968 through 1974

Condition Terminology

MOMC (Mint On Mint Card): Both the dispenser and packaging (blister card) are in Mint Condition.

MOC (Mint On Card): The dispenser is in Mint Condition and is packaged on a blister card (which may, or may not be in Mint Condition as well).

MIB (Mint In Bag): The dispenser is in Mint Condition and is packaged in a cello bag (which may, or may not be in Mint Condition as well).

Loose: This term signifies that a dispenser has been removed from its original packaging and may or may not contain all of its original parts.