The brand partnership between LEGO and Star Wars was one of the savviest business moves of all time, and a lot of the brick-building company’s success can be traced back to when it all began. Over the years, the flagship sets have been getting more and more expensive, so here are the rarest LEGO Star Wars sets and minifigzures of all time.
Rare LEGO Star Wars sets you’ll probably never own
Star Wars Miniland Figures (LEGO Collection Party, Toy Fair 2011)
Introduced in 2011, these Miniland Figures are larger than typical minifigures and feature more detailed designs, representing various Star Wars characters such as Han, Chewie, and Boba Fett. Only 125 sets were made and distributed at the New York Toy Fair, in which the Han Solo and Chewbacca figurines were pre-assembled and glued (for what reason, I do not know) and the Boba bag was buildable.
It resells now for anywhere over £5,000. This has to be the rarest LEGO Star Wars set ever produced.
10198 Princess Leia Smooth Hair (Tantive IV, 2009)
The 10198 Princess Leia Smooth Hair from the Tantive IV set sometimes came with a defective hairpiece. Instead of the normally textured hair, the Minifigure would come with a smooth feel instead.
There are really not that many of these hairpieces in circulation, and some have been spotted on the Hoth Leia Minifigure from 2007 too.
10143 UCS Death Star II
The Ultimate Collector Series (UCS) Death Star II is a large-scale, highly detailed model that offers a challenging and rewarding build experience. Released way back in 2009, the 3,441 piece set is now worth £2,300+ depending on its condition. It’s one of the greatest LEGO Star Wars sets of all time, and I’m pretty gutted that I’ve never had a chance to even see it in person.
10123 Cloud City (2003)
The most expensive LEGO Star Wars set, according to BrickEconomy, is the 10123 Cloud City set from 2003. It’s available from resellers anywhere between £5000 – £12,000, depending on condition, and is one of the rarest and most valuable LEGO sets of all time.
The reason that the Cloud City set is now so rare and valuable is that it was only available from the online store or in select LEGO brand stores. Back in 2003, shopping online was nowhere near as popular, nor did LEGO have such a monopoly on in-person toy stores.
A re-release of the Cloud City set was launching 2018, though it never came to fruition.
Clone Wars (SDCC, 2008)
(Image Credit: Pop Culture Geek Network at Flickr)
Exclusive to the 2008 San Diego Comic Con, this Clone Wars set features characters and scenes from the animated series, making it a unique piece for fans of that era. There are only 1,200 sets in circulation, and it included the 7640 Hailfire Droid and Spider Droid, 7654 Droids Battle Pack, and a Clone battle pack. It’s now re-selling for £4,500+.
10178 Motorized AT-AT (2007)
This motorized version of the AT-AT, model number 10178, was released in 2007. It features moving parts and is a standout piece due to its realistic functionality and size. While it retailed for £89.99/$129.99, it’s now selling for anywhere between £200 – £800, depending on sealed condition.
4547551 Chrome Darth Vader
One of the first items on this list was only produced in batches of 10,000 to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the LEGO Star Wars theme. Some were given away as promotional items, though the rest were randomly inserted into sets released throughout 2009.
2853589 Chrome Stormtrooper
(Image Credit: BrickOwl)
Years ahead of Captain Phasma, there was another dome chrome. This was the Chrome Stormtrooper released in 2010, a year after the Chrome Darth Vader, and was distributed as a gift from Toys R Us as a GWP.
4521221 Chrome C-3PO
(Image Credit: BricksBroughtToLife)
By far the most valuable and the rarest of the Chrome LEGO Star Wars Minifigures, the Chrome C-3PO only saw 10,000 in production. It was the first Chromo promotional item to be released and commemorated the 30th anniversary of the films in 2007, hence why it’s so rare.
2856197-1 Shadow ARF Trooper (2011)
Released on Star Wars Day 2011 (May 4th, but you knew that), the Shadow ART Trooper was part of a promotional polybag. Now, the Minifigure can be seen on third-party marketplaces above £300 in most cases. Ordinarily, ARF Troopers were clad in classic white armour, though this one sports the same black as Vader.
41498 BrickHeadz Boba Fett & Han Solo in Carbonite (New York Comic Con Variant, 2017)
The BrickHeadz Boba Fett & Han Solo in Carbonite set was only obtainable through the New York Comic Con in 2017. There were only 5,000 in circulation, making it one of the rarest LEGO Star Wars sets of all time since there’s such a small amount in the hands of collectors.
LEGO Star Wars KABAYA X Wing, Slave 1, Tie Interceptor (Japanese Box Art Variants)
(Image Credit: MandRProductions)
These Japanese exclusives feature unique box art and are highly sought after by collectors. Released in partnership with KABAYA, each set includes iconic Star Wars vehicles with distinct packaging that sets them apart from standard releases. They included gumballs, though this many years on you’re not going to want to be caught chewing one of them.
R2D2 (Target giveaway, Glued, 1999)
(Image Credit: WorthPoint)
This special edition R2D2, given away in 1999 exclusively at Target, featured a glued design. It’s one of the earliest promotional LEGO Star Wars items and can be seen as a very primitive prototype of the UCS R2D2 released years later.
77901 Sith Trooper Bust (San Diego Comic Con Variant, 2019)
Model number 77901, this Sith Trooper Bust was a 2019 San Diego Comic Con exclusive. Its striking red design and limited availability make it a prized piece, though the recent releases of LEGO Star Wars Helmets have slightly dampened its novelty.
6295151 Christmas X-Wing (Employee Exclusive, 2019)
(Credit: BrothersBrick)
Definitely one of the rarest LEGO Star Wars sets out there, the Christmas X-Wing was only given out to employees of The LEGO Group in 2019. A festive twist on the classic X-Wing, this variant features holiday-themed colours and decorations. A unique blend of Star Wars and Christmas cheer, it’s a favourite among seasonal collectors. Again though, LEGO Star Wars Advent calendars touch on the same novelty, though without as much individuality as this cheerful set.
40483 Luke’s Lightsaber (GWP, 2020)
When the LEGO Star Wars UCS AT-AT was released, the extraordinarily high price meant that not many people picked it up. That meant that the Luke’s Lightsaber GWP was a pretty rare site. However, it was recently re-released (which many collectors have been dismayed by) and so its value has shrunk, and its rarity dissolved.
5006290 Yoda’s Lightsaber (GWP, 2020)
Likewise with Luke’s Lightsaber, Yoda’s is also a rare commodity. It came as a GWP with the 75290 LEGO Star Wars Master Builder Series Mos Eisley Cantina (another expensive LEGO set) which is still in production.
40407 Death Star II Battle (GWP, 2020)
Criticised for its lack of accuracy to the source material, the 2020 GWP was given out as a part of May the 4th celebrations. It’s hard to come by since there were not that many in production, though the price hasn’t ever really taken off.
LEGO System Star Wars sets (1999)
Part of the initial wave of LEGO Star Wars sets, the 1999 System series introduced fans to a range of sets that would grow into a vast and beloved collection. Thirteen LEGO Star Wars sets were released in 1999, and though their retail prices were all generously low, they’re now all worth a hefty sum.
10018 Darth Maul (2001)
(Image Credit: Rebrickable)
Released in 2001, this set features a detailed bust of the Sith Lord Darth Maul, known for his striking appearance and dual-bladed lightsaber. There are only 9 sets available from resellers on BrickLink, and you’re going to have to pay a fair bit to grab it.
The Star Wars Miniland Figures from the Toy Fair 2011 is the rarest LEGO Star Wars set ever, with only 125 ever produced.
The Yoda NY I Heart Minifigure is the rarest LEGO Star Wars Minifigure of all time, with only 1,000 ever having been produced.
Amaar began Bricka after a lifelong passion for LEGO.
His time building and collecting LEGO has influenced every aspect of his life, and he’s not stopped creating since.
Having played too many games growing up, Amaar is also a writer for Videogamer, where he reviews hardware and talks about handheld consoles.
When he’s not writing about nerdy things, he’s drawing graphic novels and tattooing at his Manchester studio.
