PLATINUM PACKS
With the release of the ProStars range, Corinthian wanted to create something extra special for their most loyal collectors, so the decision was taken to factory pack an extremely limited number of every figure in each kit configuration from each new series into a unique blister pack, the name given this special limited edition range was Platinum Packs.
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Each Platinum Pack was guaranteed to be lower in production volume than any other figure Corinthian had previously released. Another key point of the Platinum Packs is that they would not be made available for general sale, they would be given away free by Corinthian for money spent on their products, with stock also going to collector centres and later resellers, again as a reward for money spent with the company.
Corinthian also ran a free platinum pack offer in the ProStars Series, with each collector's leaflet coming with one token, with 8 tokens needed to claim a free Platinum Pack.
During the life span of ProStars, Corinthian produced various different versions of the Platinum Pack, with the product being revised, updated and improved as the collection and product evolved.
The Platinum Packs have always been viewed by collector's as the pinnacle of blister collecting, just down the how hard it is to acquire them, given the low number of each piece which was produced, with some packs being limited to as little as just 30 pieces!
This was the very first version of the Platinum Pack, it was used by Corinthian for ProStars Series 1 - 14, with it also being used for the 1999/00 club edition team packs, as well as the England 1966 team pack Platinums.
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Production volume wise Corinthian did not disclose how many of each were released, although there are a few exceptions, but it was always accepted it was no more than 360 of each.
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The figures are exactly the same as released in the regular series, the figures are on a Green base, with the collector codes being the same PRO codes as the regular figures, with the collector cards also being identical to the regular release.
This version of the Platinum Pack was done for the Manchester United promotion run by Pepsi, and distributed in Thailand.​
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Corinthian packed 360 of each Pepsi figure into these special limited edition platinum packs.
The figures are exactly the same as released in the blisters and team pack, with the figures on a Blue base and with PTSE collector code. Each one came with a collector card stating it was a special edition platinum pack and 1 of 36 pieces worldwide.
Corinthian wanted to produce something extra special to mark the start of the new Millennium, so they made all 36 as Platinum Packs but with a Silver base!
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The figures not only have a Silver base but they were also assigned a different collector code which began with PP (Platinum Pack) with the number code used being identical to the regular release figure, so for example the regular figure of Taribo West is PRO263, with the Platinum Pack figure having his based stamped with PP263.
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Corinthian did not disclose exactly how many of each were made, however it was extremely low numbers and collecting them all, especially the Figo is an incredible achievement.
Corinthian produced a set of 6 redemption figures for ProStars Series 9, with tokens needed to be collected to claim a free redemption figure, with just 500 of each made.
Around the same time they released the Squad Builder Secret Sachet, within these sachets were 4 Chaser figures, which were exclusive to the product with just 500 of each being made! ​
Issue 9 of the Corinthian ProStars Club Members Newsletter, released in February 2001, Corinthian made a huge announcement, a case of Platinum Packs containing the Series 9 redemption figures and the 4 Chaser figures had been found in the warehouse!
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These were made in error and Corinthian stated they found 23 sets but also mentioned some may have already been shipped to collector centres, so it has been widely accepted by collector's that there are 30 of each Platinum Pack. These are the lowest volume of any platinum pack and seen by many to be a 'Holy Grail' of Platinum Pack collecting.
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2002 saw a major change to the Platinum Packs, as Corinthian had listened to feedback given from resellers and collectors and fully redesigned the Platinum Packs.
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Corinthian designed an all new Platinum colour backing card, based on the ProStars branded blister card.
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A new collector card certificate of authenticity came issued with each Platinum Pack, this would replace the standard collector card. It did not state how many of each were produced but did say no more than 360 were produced.
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A limited edition Silver based ProStars figure with unique PP collector code, which was only available in the Platinum Packs.
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This version of the Platinum Pack was used from ProStars Series 15 right up to series 25, as well as being used for various other issues, such as some World Club Legends, Collector's Editions and Liverpool Treble Winners team packs.
October 2004 saw another update to the ProStars Platinum Pack, as the release of ProStars Series 26 came with individually numbered collector cards, with 360 of each being produced.​
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Individually numbering the collector cards added another layer of collectability to the Platinum Pack, as collector's looked to add low issue number packs to their collection, or issue numbers that were the same as the players shirt number.
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The figures were on a Silver base and assigned a PP collector code, which was the same collector code as the regular released figure.
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This version of the Platinum Pack was used from Series 26 right up until the final release of ProStars.
The ProStars team packs released from October 2005 onwards also featured individually numbered collector cards.​
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Production volume was determined by the amount of team packs made, divided by the amount of players in the pack, so if Corinthian made 2006 pieces of a team pack which had 12 players included, then there would be 167 of each Platinum Pack made.
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This distribution method goes a long way to explaining why the team pack platinum packs are so incredibly rare, is that the vast majority never ended up in the hands of collectors who would have kept them sealed and treated them as a collectible, it is more likely they ended up with younger collectors who would have just opened the platinum pack, which is why so few are seen for sale and this scarcity and demand is reflected in the prices they achieve on the secondary market.
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Individually numbering the collector cards added another layer of collectability to the Platinum Pack, as collector's looked to add low issue number packs to their collection, or issue numbers that were the same as the players shirt number.
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The figures were on a Silver base and assigned a PP collector code, which was the same collector code as the regular released figure.