GI Joe:distinguishing original from commemorative?

[sunsnail]

Heya, I'm new to this forum! I've joined after coming across some 10” GI Joe figures at a flea market. I didn't know much about them, so I didn't get them. The flea market is in a small town and was pretty deserted, so I decided to learn more and go back later if it turns out to be worthwhile.

The question I still have is, how do I distinguish the original figures from the commemorative editions? I'm pretty confident that these are the originals, but would like to know for sure when I look them over. Any info would be appreciated!

I'm going to post an intro, as I feel that I should being that I'm not a collector of the figures represented on this forum. I want to know more about them so that I can pick them up when I see them during my search for the '80s toys for girls, which I do collect.
~Jacqueline

[madmartigan37]

you should just be able to check for dates on the figures somewhere, usually at the small of the back on the dolls or the legs of small figures. If you have a date in the 1990's then you have a commemorative figure. A great site for GI JOE stuff is www.yojoe.com

[funkyterrance]

I noticed that the reproduction ones, if in the box have a date as well. They also have choking hazard warnings on the box which I don't think they bothered with back in the day.