Princess Leia (In Endor Gear) - POTF2 [FF/TKC] - New Millennium Minted Coin Collection

The Star Wars Mint is officially re-instituted with this limited edition series! New gold-colored coins feature character images from the classic silver-colored coin release – all with brand new reverse-side stampings specially designed for this exclusive commemorative offering.

As a rule, it’s not to common to get all-new figures in store exclusives. There are obvious exceptions, but Kenner is typically looking to refresh or repaint currently existing tools to help save on costs and to give collectors something “new enough” without being completely new. When it came to the New Millennium Minted Coin Collection, none were more surprised than us when we realized that Princess Leia (In Endor Gear) was an all-new figure. Sure, she is based in many ways on the pack-in figure that came with 1997’s POTF2 [FF/TKC] Speeder Bike (With Princess Leia Organa In Endor Gear) vehicle combo set. But not one part is shared with this figure (even the head and arms) and we get a fresh new take on this popular and classic version of our most favorite princess in all of the Star Wars galaxy. Many would have preferred to have seen this updated figure released in the basic figure line, but Kenner felt it better to release her in this fashion. We see the argument on both sides. But we have to admit that there is something endearing about getting her in this exclusive format.... mostly because of the included coin. Besides, it is nice to receive Princess Leia (In Endor Gear) in a format that shares the same articulation approach as the rest of the figures in The Power Of The Force “2” lineup. Extra articulation is great, but sometimes it affects the aesthetics of figures which could adversely affect their placement in the basic figure line.

We’ve said it before, but things starting changing dramatically for Star Wars collectors by the time 1998 rolled around. It was evident that Star Wars toy buying was all about the adult collector, and Kenner ensured that nearly every release that year somehow appealed to that market. They seemed to have realized that our peer group had funds to support the line financially and in order to make those sales they needed to produce merchandise that would tickle our fancy. One of the expected, albeit nonetheless surprising released of 1998 was the New Millennium Minted Coin Collection lineup which really made collectors eager. This six figure set (in total) was exclusive to Toys R Us. They borrowed the strikes of the original 1984/1985 The Power Of The Force coins with all new reverse sides and a new gold color. Kenner did this to keep the vintage coins pure and separate from the modern line and vintage collectors were thankful for this. A sort of hodgepodge of a collection, the group of figures chosen didn't make much sense as a whole or share any theme with each other, but all were new in one way or another with either revised paint jobs, retooling or like this one, an all-new figure. These new additions to the Star Wars line were very exciting for the growing number of collectors buying modern Star Wars toys. Besides, we all wanted to see updates of characters that were never released singly until now.

If you weren’t looking too carefully at Princess Leia (In Endor Gear), you’d might think that at least her arms and head were reused from the previous sculpt for this figure. But a careful side by side comparison will prove to you that she is indeed an all-new sculpt. What makes this a little more unnoticeable than usual is that the figure is tooled similarly from the waist up on both version. Even the poncho is a completely different sculpt. But overall, the likeness and paint job is superior on the New Millennium Minted Coin Collection version. Princess Leia (In Endor Gear) is too tall. Kenner isn’t paying that much attention to scale in this collection sadly, so she is going to look out of scale to many of the other figures in the line. She also comes with her signature blaster pistol and can hold it without issue. But due to her pre-posed arms and no functional holster, in all honesty there is very little you can do with this figure when it comes to posing her. With all figures in this exclusive lineup, you get a reproduction of the classic Kenner coin. These premiums are beautiful and we’re personally ecstatic to see them get another chance in the modern line. They have revised reverse sides which keeps them modern and relevant for today (and protects the investment of the vintage Kenner ones as well). Princess Leia (In Endor Gear) is a fun release. Better (and more accurate) versions will undoubtedly come. But this one is a decent start for now.