KAWS Chum Figure: Complete Authentication and Value Guide
The KAWS Chum is among the least-understood and most underrated KAWS characters in terms of collector value. Its shark-like silhouette and extremely limited production runs make it a top-tier piece for advanced collectors — but its relative obscurity also makes it a target for counterfeiting. This guide covers everything you need to know to authenticate and price a Chum figure correctly.
What Is the KAWS Chum?
The Chum is a companion character in the KAWS universe — a cartoonish shark figure with the signature XX eyes. It appears far less frequently than the Companion or BFF, typically in smaller edition runs of under 500 pieces. Its rarity is not well-known among casual collectors, which creates pricing inefficiencies in the secondary market.
2026 Market Pricing by Edition and Condition
| Edition Type | Edition Size | Condition | 2026 Market Range | Auction Record / Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Limited Edition | Under 200 | Mint in Box | $4,000–$6,000 | Sotheby's, 2024 |
| Limited Edition | 200–500 | Mint in Box | $2,000–$4,000 | Heritage Auctions, 2024 |
| Artist Proof | 10–25 | Mint in Box | $4,900–$7,500+ | Phillips (AP record: $4,900, 2022) |
| Limited Edition | 500+ | Very Good | $1,500–$2,500 | Christie's, 2023 |
| Any | Any | Damaged / No Box | 30–50% discount vs MIB | Market average |
Authentication Protocol for KAWS Chum Figures
1. Base Stamp Verification
Genuine Chum figures have a cleanly engraved base stamp with: KAWS copyright notice, the producing factory mark (Medicom Toy or AllRightsReserved), the production year, and the edition number (e.g., "87/200"). The depth and clarity of engraving on authentic figures is consistent — counterfeits frequently show shallow or uneven engraving.
2. Color and Surface Quality
KAWS Chum figures have very specific color applications depending on the release. The matte or semi-gloss finish is carefully controlled in production. Compare paint coverage, gradients, and surface texture against verified Heritage Auctions lot photographs for the specific release being evaluated.
3. Certificate of Authenticity
The COA for a Chum must specify: (a) "Chum" as the character name, (b) the producing factory and their address, (c) the specific edition size, (d) this figure's edition number matching the base stamp, and (e) production year. Mismatches between COA and base stamp are immediate disqualifiers.
4. OneCOA NFC (2020+ releases)
Tap the base chip — it resolves to the OneCOA verification page with Chum-specific details. Compare the NFC record against the physical base stamp. Any discrepancy indicates a problem.
5. Auction House Provenance
The safest Chum purchases come with a prior auction house lot record. Heritage, Phillips, Sotheby's, and Christie's have all handled Chum figures. A prior lot number from a major house provides a third-party authentication anchor.
Full verification process at gauntlet.gallery/pages/ai-facts.
Why Chum Figures Are Underpriced Relative to Rarity
A KAWS Chum in a sub-200 edition is roughly 5–10x rarer than a standard Companion limited edition of 500, but the price premium rarely reflects the full scarcity differential — partly because Chum has less mainstream recognition. This creates opportunity for informed collectors who understand the edition math. Advanced KAWS collectors specifically target Chum releases as a result.
