Numbers and Letters Collection

This page lists out my numerals collection. So yes, magnetic and wooden numbers and letters and more. In other words anything related to numbers and letters worth collecting.

## Notes

* I am a collector, none of those below are for sale. Trades are only available for people I know in real life AND given that I trust you well enough.
* "One of each" refers to one of each letter (A-Z) or decimal digit unless specified (like some of my own designs have transdecimal digits/numerals, or other symbols), as the vast majority of sets are "decimal-centric".
* This page uses decimals.
* "All colors are fixed" means that the color scheme of the numbers or letters are uniform per pack/set (for example, As are always red, Bs are always blue and so on). While other sets have a random distribution of colors (for example, the A in the first box could be in red, the A in another box of the same product could be in another color)
* Sometimes, symbols (

−
×
# ÷

{\displaystyle +-\times\div=}

etc.) are included along with the numbers. They count in the corresponding numeral set (without mentioning that symbols are included). They are counted (and sometimes stored) separately.

## Classes

A class of each set of the collection indicates my personal opinion on the collector's value.

### Class Seven

Class sevens are the most valuable and rare sets of the collection. Most are either handmade, discontinued or have a special meaning to me.

### Class Six

Class sixes are sill valuable and rare, but not in comparison to class 7 sets. It is also the highest class obtainable by an alphabet set.

### Class Five

Class fives are much more common to find than class sixes and sevens but have good quality and aesthetics (font and color choice etc.).

### Classes Three and Four

Classes three and four are the "typical" sets of numbers you can find, which they are just "there" and don't stand out in any shape or form. The only difference between the classes are that class four sets tend to have better quality and aesthetics.

### Class Two

Class twos just aren't the best sets out there. Sets are normally put in class two due to its poor quality and/or aesthetics. Poor aesthetics could also mean using a typical font and then slightly modifying it, as this shows that the manufacturer does not seem to pay much effort in designing the set.

### Class One

Class ones are reserved for literally the worst sets. Sets that question you why you've spend money on them. Bad aesthetics/quality and occasionally having one or two missing or broken pieces.

## History of the collection

### Generation Three

Like Generations One and Two, Generation 3 saw a steady growth of the collection.

It is also noticed that in this period, the quality of newer molds and numeral sets have begun to decline; i.e. it is more difficult to find set of a higher class. Manufacturers have changed to using molds simply based on common modern typefaces.

### Generation Five

Not much sets were obtained during Generation Five, mostly due to the rise of my dice collection.

### Generation Six (2019-present)

Several sets have been obtained during this period, and some older sets have obtained their dozenal/transdecimal extension since my adaption to Argam and the dozenal and sexagesimal bases. 3D-printed sets have also been produced.

## Valerian Dozenal Collection

### Valerian Dozenal Collection

The Valerian Dozenal Collection is a set of numbers planned to be 3D-printed. Its design and color scheme is based on important people of mine (family, friends, crushes, OCs etc.).

Note that the names in the table are mostly OCs based on people I know in real life, but their names above differ from the real name of the person.

## Megcos/Early Learning Centre Magnetic Numerals

* White
* Red
* Orange
* Yellow
* Lime
* Cyan
* Symbols
* Megcos 2
* Argam

### Obtained

Generation 1 (Megcos)Generation 6 (ELC, Argam)

### Count

240 (ELC)60 (ELC Symbols)

1 (Megcos)

10 (Argam)

### Status

likely discontinued (Megcos)In production (ELC)

Exclusive/Not for sale (Argam)

The Megcos magnetic numerals set was obtained when I was a toddler, however it was sadly lost and only a blue digit "2" was found after several years. It is believed that the set of numerals have been discontinued in the early 2010s and a new set will be impossibly hard to find both online and in physical stores.

Since 2018, I have been attempting to find a new set of megcos magnetic numbers, or other branded magnetic numbers using the same mold. Because of that, the Early Learning Center numerals were obtained in 2021.

The numerals are approximately 30mm tall and 5mm thick, smaller than most modern-day sets. ELC numerals come in jars of 100 (8 of each number and 20 symbols) and in six colors (as seen on the right): white, red, orange, yellow, lime and cyan. 240 numerals and 60 symbols (3 jars) have been obtained. Color distributions are completely random.

The set was assigned Class 5 in 2021.

The color distribution is as follows:

No yellow 5s have been obtained.
Note that the total above excludes the Megcos blue digit-2.

Symbols:

It is believed that these numerals also come in other colors, such as blue, purple and hot pink. However, they are only available in the pink edition of the "ELC Magnetic Playcentre" and it was deemed to be too expensive for 10 numbers (and 80 letters) and therefore none have been owned so far.

#### Trivia

* I own 240 numerals of this set (241 including the blue 2), the most out of any magnetic numeral set.
* The ELC magnetic numerals was my third and final attempt in replicating the Megcos magnetic numeral set.
* This is the only mass-produced magnetic numeral set to reach Class 5.
* This is the only mass-produced numeral set to get an argam extension.
* White and cyan magnetic numbers are in fact quite rare, as not many manufacturers and companies have chosen those colors for their numbers and letters. It is my only set of magnetic numbers to contain those colors.
* This is the only magnetic numeral set that 6 and 9 use different molds. The mold for 9 has a straight line, while 6's mold is curved.
* This (ELC) is the only set that was first saw online.
* This is the only set where Digit-8 has a copy in red.
* This is the only set where I own a complete set in one color.
* I orignally purchased two jars, but a third jar was purchased as I wanted a full set of 0-9 for each color after knowing that only 5 numerals (with specific colors) are left to complete the sets. 4 out of 5 numerals were successfully obtained in the 3rd jar (which leaves out the yellow 5)

### Megcos/ELC "Fanmade" Argam Extension

A set of vigesimal Argam transdecimal digits ( through ) have been produced in the style of the Megcos/ELC numerals to allow the usage of larger number bases. Larger argam numerals cannot be produced in this style, as the heavy font weighting cannot support the increasingly complexity of the numerals.

These numerals are exclusive and not to be for sale on any platform.

## Early Learning Centre Magnetic Letters

### Count

68

The ELC (Early Learning Center/Centre) magnetic uppercase letters were obtained along the magnetic numerals in early 2021 (which is why this set was obtained). Unlike the numerals, the letters were not styled like the Megcos magnetic letters, instead they are partially based on the "Sassoon" typeface (which is designed for better readability for children). The set comes in the same six colors as the numerals (white, red, orange, yellow, green and cyan). The distribution of letters seem to have two of each letter, and the other 16 letters are randomly assigned. 1 jar (68 letters) have been obtained.

The set has been assigned Class 4 in early 2021.

#### Trivia

* Like the ELC numbers, this is my only set of magnetic letters to contain white and cyan pieces.
* This is my only set of magnetic letters with sharp corners (i.e. the letters have no rounded corners).

### Count

29

The Imagination Learning magnetic numerals were obtained in 2018 as a (failed) attempt to replicate the Megcos magnetic numerals (see above). This mold was believed to also be used in Grow n' Up's numerals before they changed to Crayola's mold.

The set was assigned Class 2 due to its unnecessary bevel and glossy finish as well as a poor choice of font.

#### Trivia

* This is my first (out of 3) attempts to replicate the Megcos numerals.
* The set originally contained 30 numerals, a blue digit-2 was lost in early 2020.
	+ Coincidentally, I own a blue "2" from the original Megcos set, which it was the only piece remaining.

### Count

180 (numbers)144 (letters)

42 (symbols)

366 (total)

The Windmill Books "Food" magnetic numbers and uppercase letters were obtained in late 2020 also as an attempt to replicate the Megcos magnetic numerals (see above), as well as to boost the magnetic collection. 90 numerals (9 each), 72 letters (8 A's, 4 E's, G's, I's, O's, S's and U's, and 2 of the rest) and 21 symbols (3 of each: plus, minus, times, division, equals, long bar and long division sign) were obtained.

Like many other sets, these numbers, letters and symbols come in six classic colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple.

The set was assigned a Class 4 in early 2021.

The color distribution (for numbers only) is as follows:

## Megcos/Daiso Japan magnetic numbers and letters

* Numbers
* Letters

### Count

44 (Numbers)20 (Symbols)

The Grow n' Up magnetic numerals were obtained in 2020.  numerals (four of each 0-9 with four extra 0s) and  symbols were obtained. Like the set from Imagination Learning, this set was assigned Class 2 due to its unnecessary bevel and glossy finish as well as a poor choice of font.

A color scheme exists for this set; Odd numbers are in red and blue and even numbers are in yellow-green and orange.

## Daiso Japan magnetic numbers and letters

* Numbers
* Letters

### Count

26 (Letters)12 (Symbols)

The Daiso Japan numbers and uppercase letters were obtained in 2021.

It is likely that this set's mold is based on the popular free typeface Arial Rounded MT Bold. 60 numerals, 52 uppercase letters and 18 symbols were obtained.

#### Trivia

* This is the only magnetic set which was purchased without looking for it on purpose.

## Classic Craft Jumbo Magnetic Numerals

### Count

18

The classic craft jumbo magnetic numerals were one of the earliest sets of magnetic numerals obtained. It is believed to be obtained in 2007.

## First Classroom Jumbo Magnetic Numerals

### Count

19 (Numbers)6 (Symbols)

Obtained in 2021. 39 numbers (4 sets).

This set is believed to be a spin-off of an older mold of Learning Resources' magnetic numeral set, and is based on the "Avenir" font. Colors for both sets of 0-9 are the same for each pack.

This set was assigned Class 2 in early 2021, due to it being a suspected spin-off and its poor quality.

* Visible sprue marks are present on some of the pieces, which could be potentially harmful to children, as well as making the product aesthetically unpleasing.
* Some plastic were broken when receiving the product.
* The color scheme is extremely imbalanced
* Some of the magnets were poorly stuck to the pieces.
* Some pieces were uneven, meaning that it is not completely "flat".
* Packaging error. When purchasing a set of numbers, a pack of lowercase letters were received instead. Same issues with the letters.

A Green digit-2 was discarded due to a heavy manufacturing defect.

## Windmill Books Foam Magnetic Numbers

* Red
* Orange
* Yellow
* Lime
* Cyan

### Count

63 (numbers)27 (symbols)

Foam magnetic numbers obtained in 2021. 63 numbers total, six sets plus three extra zeroes. Comes in five classic colors (red, orange, yellow, green and dark blue).

This set was assigned Class 4 in early 2021.

### Statistics

Note that Numerals intended as Transdecimal digits that can be turned over to resemble decimal digits fall in the transdecimal category.

Non-Plastic magnetic Numbers and Letters

## Wooden Numbers and Letters

### Unidentified Vintage Sets

Two unidentified wooden numeral sets (named Set W1 and W2) were obtained during Generation 1. All colors are fixed.

Both sets are assigned Class 5.

### J'adore "Number Puzzle"

Quality of the numerals are good, however the digit "9" could not stand up despite the set's intention for every numeral to be able to stand up. However this may just be a molding issue.

Assigned Class 3.

### Unidentified "CL" sets

Three unidentified wooden numeral and letter sets (named Set W3, Set W4 and Set W5 here) have been obtained between 2020 and 2021. All colors are fixed.

Set W3 is based on Helvetica (except 6 and 9) and 50 numbers have been obtained. Several shapes and symbols were also included in the set.

Set W4 is thicker than Set 1 and uses a rounded font. Two sets of numerals were included in each pack and two sets are in different colors.

Set W5 (alphabet) was obtained along Set 1. Two sets (52 letters) have been obtained.

All three sets are assigned Class 3.

## Unidentified CL Sets

* Set 1
* Set 2

### Count

 (Set 1) (Set 2)

 (Set 1 Symbols)

 (Set 1 Shapes)

 (Set 2 Symbols)