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Twenty-five years ago, the galaxies of LEGO and Star Wars collided for the first time, resulting in one of the most valuable partnerships in merchandising history. With nearly 1,000 total sets produced and over 1,300 different minifigures, LEGO Star Wars is now a mainstay in the world of pop culture collectibles. To celebrate 25 years of LEGO Star Wars, we’re counting down the 25 most valuable retail LEGO Star Wars sets ever produced, all items you can buy for yourself on eBay right now!
10134: Y-wing Attack Starfighter (2004)
One of the most iconic LEGO Star Wars lines is the highly coveted Ultimate Collector Series (UCS). These sets feature bigger versions of beloved ships from the Star Wars universe, with an acute attention to detail. The rugged and mechanical aesthetic of the Y-wing is perfect for this style, with a multitude of pipes, wires, and brackets exposed. At 1,473 pieces, the 2004 rendition of this craft is a striking centerpiece for any LEGO Star Wars display.
7676: Republic Attack Gunship (2008)
In the late summer of 2008, Star Wars branched out into the realm of big-budget animation with the theatrical release of Star Wars: The Clone Wars. LEGO dedicated an entire wave of sets to the film that August, headlined by the Republic Attack Gunship. The only version of this variant of the Republic Gunship ever made, 7676 featured 1,034 pieces and the first-ever appearance of Clone Wars legends in LEGO form, including Jedi Master Plo Koon, the dynamic Asajj Ventress, and the ever-so-reliable Clone Commander Cody (unless you’re Obi-Wan Kenobi during Order 66).
10188: Death Star (2008)
“That’s no moon; it’s a space station.” The Death Star is one of the largest pieces of iconography in Star Wars history (literally). The massive Imperial space station has received the UCS treatment three times, with the superior second one coming in 2008. Built with 3,803 parts and including 24 different minifigures, 10188 captures scenes such as the trash compactor, Luke and Leia’s brave jump over the chasm, and the final duel between Darth Vader and his son from Return of the Jedi.
75222: Betrayal at Cloud City (2018)
The first set under the new Master Builder Series banner was 75222: Betrayal at Cloud City. This 2,812-piece giant recreated many different moments from The Empire Strikes Back, including the titular betrayal by Lando Calrissian, Han Solo frozen in carbonite, Boba Fett’s ship docked on a landing platform, and Darth Vader’s hefty revelation to his son, Luke Skywalker.
75252: Imperial Star Destroyer (2019)
The first shot ever seen in 1977’s Star Wars features the Rebel Blockade Runner Tantive IV being pursued by the much larger Imperial Star Destroyer. The Star Destroyer absolutely eclipses the Rebel ship, so much so that it’s able to swallow it whole as the villainous Darth Vader prepares to board. 75252: Imperial Star Destroyer accurately depicts this scale, with a miniature model of the Tantive IV for reference juxtaposed against one of the longest LEGO sets ever made, a 43-inch Star Destroyer constructed with nearly 5,000 bricks. The newly retired set has already jumped in value significantly, and you can expect that price to skyrocket over the coming years.
7662: Trade Federation MTT (2007)
Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace introduced a new set of villains: battle droids. These tan, spindly, squeaky-voiced robots terrorized the planet of Naboo in their Multi-Troop Transports, otherwise known as MTTs. The large, brown tanks could carry dozens of troops at a time, leading to one of the most memorable moments from the film when they were deployed. The 2007 LEGO rendition of the MTT was accompanied by 20 battle droid minifigures and a brick-built droideka. There has never been a more coveted Trade Federation set in LEGO’s history, leading 7662 to have an immense appreciation in value nearly 20 years after release.
75159: Death Star (2016)
The most recent UCS version of the Death Star, 75159 looks almost exactly like the aforementioned 10188 at first glance. However, after further inspection, some small differences arise. Updated parts, including a more accurate hair piece for Han Solo, are included, alongside a plethora of desirable minifigures featuring Darth Vader, Emperor Palpatine, Death Star troopers, Grand Moff Tarkin, and royal guards.
7181: TIE Interceptor (2000)
The LEGO Star Wars Ultimate Collector Series brought us one vehicle from each faction of the original Star Wars trilogy. For the Empire, there was 7181: TIE Interceptor. The sleeker TIE design from Return of the Jedi has appreciated nearly 10x its retail price. Luckily for LEGO Star Wars fans, this set was remade this year, with 75382: TIE Interceptor gracing shelves now.
7261: Clone Turbo Tank (2005)
LEGO experimented with something different in 2005, adding light-up functions to Star Wars minifigures. By simply pressing on their head, the minifigures’ lightsabers would light up, giving the illusion of an ignited blade. The first ever Mace Windu figure was designed in this style. The Jedi Master was included in 7161: Clone Turbo Tank, the biggest set from LEGO’s first wave of Revenge of the Sith products. The set referenced the battle of Kashyyyk on the Wookiee homeworld. Eagle-eyed Star Wars fans, of course, know that Mace Windu didn’t actually appear on Kashyyyk in the movie, but this didn’t stop the set from becoming an all-time classic.
10129: Rebel Snowspeeder (2003)
The Rebel Snowspeeder, a small suborbital craft with only two seats, was responsible for taking down the mammoth AT-ATs in The Empire Strikes Back. The first UCS LEGO version of this ship was released in 2003 with 10129. Equipped with moving engines, a detailed interior, and adjustable flaps, this 1,457-piece model has stood the test of time.
10030: Imperial Star Destroyer (2002)
The original LEGO UCS Imperial Star Destroyer was released in the winter of 2002, and the 2019 version recaptures much of its magic. What separates the 2002 set 10030 from its successor is that the original features only 3,096 pieces, significantly less than the 2019 version, but still delivers a massive brick-built model of the Star Destroyer chasing a comparatively tiny Tantive IV.
10212: Imperial Shuttle (2010)
Released in 2010, the 10212: Imperial Shuttle is the only UCS version of the ship ever made. Standing at nearly two-feet tall, this all-white behemoth is one of the most visually striking LEGO Star Wars builds ever, with a perfectly smooth exterior that mimics the movie version. With UCS sets receiving remakes constantly, it’s not too far-fetched this will receive a new version in the near future, but for right now, fans will have to fork over something close to a thousand dollars to acquire this beauty.
7153: Jango Fett’s Slave I (2002)
One of the most iconic characters in the entire Star Wars universe is Boba Fett, the mysterious bounty hunter who delivered Han Solo to Jabba the Hutt. Boba’s origins were explained in 2002’s Star Wars prequel film Attack of the Clones, revealing he’s the clone-son of Jango Fett. Jango wore the same armor and flew the same ship as Boba, just in different colors. That ship in question, Slave I, was depicted with a navy blue and mint green color scheme. LEGO released their one and only set based on the Episode II version of the vehicle in 2002, which included exclusive minifigures of Jango and his young son Boba. Because another version of Slave I with this color scheme has never been made, the original remains in high demand today.
7163: Republic Gunship (2002)
Despite referencing the legendary conflict in the original Star Wars, George Lucas didn’t actually show us the Clone Wars until Attack of the Clones. The Clone Troopers swoop into action to save the day during the Battle of Geonosis in the Low Altitude Assault Transport (LAAT), often referred to as the Republic Gunship. One of the most unique vehicles in Star Wars, this craft is very reminiscent of real-world attack helicopters with fun science fiction flair. The ship has gone on to garner a bit of a cult following, and LEGO has produced a number of different variations throughout the years, but the original set remains the most expensive to this day. Four Phase 1 Clone Troopers were included, followed by the now-beloved Jedi Bob and an unnamed Jedi Knight with a green lightsaber.
10221: Super Star Destroyer (2011)
In The Empire Strikes Back, Lucas introduced an even bigger version of the Star Destroyer, the aptly named Super Star Destroyer. Also known as the Executor, this miles-long capital ship is one of the most intimidating vehicles in all of Star Wars, making it the perfect candidate for the Ultimate Collector Series treatment from LEGO. The long, skinny design built out of 3,152 pieces flips the concept introduced in set 10030 on its head, making the original Imperial Star Destroyer the miniature model when compared to the immense scale of the Executor.
7191: X-wing Fighter (2000)
The other of the two original UCS sets introduced in 2000 alongside 7181: TIE Interceptor, 7191: X-wing Fighter brought Luke Skywalker’s trusty ship to life. Made out of exactly 1,300 pieces, the rugged aesthetic of the Rebel Alliance’s main starfighter is captured very well, ushering in a new era of extremely detailed LEGO Star Wars models. It’s not a mystery why the original UCS set now fetches a price nearly 10x its retail value.
10175: Vader’s TIE Advanced (2006)
Despite being the signature TIE flown by none other than Darth Vader in the original Star Wars film, the TIE Advanced has received very little attention from LEGO, with only one rendition as a UCS set in 2006. This set is significant for LEGO TIE designs, marking the first time one broke the traditional color scheme of black and blue and swapped in a more accurate light gray and black. With only 1,212 pieces, 10175 remains one of the smaller UCS sets of the last two decades and would benefit from a modern remake.
10019: Rebel Blockade Runner (2001)
After multiple smaller-scale builds of this ship, the Rebel Blockade Runner (Tantive IV) finally gets its due in UCS form. This 1,747-piece set from 2001 beautifully captures the hammerhead shark-like shape of the first vehicle ever seen in Star Wars. Eleven engines made from Mars rover wheels adorn the back, capping off a fabulous model for the ages.
10195: Republic Dropship with AT-OT (2009)
Star Wars: The Clone Wars took the world by storm in 2009, as the animated series wrapped up its first season and transitioned into season two. Clone Troopers were all the rage among LEGO Star Wars collectors, and no set better symbolizes that era than 10195: Republic Dropship with AT-OT. Including two very large vehicles, this product was truly one of a kind. The Dropship had the unique ability to literally lift the AT-OT off the ground, something only ever seen in this single LEGO Star Wars set. A small platoon of Clone Troopers were also included here, and fans who had been building an army of them could deck out their ultimate The Clone Wars set with more soldiers ready for battle.
75188: Resistance Bomber (Finch Dallow version) – (2018)
LEGO Star Wars did something unprecedented with 75188. In 2017, LEGO released set 75188: Resistance Bomber to coincide with the theatrical run of The Last Jedi. A 780-piece model featured a nicely detailed build of the vehicle seen in the movie’s opening action sequence, joined by five minifigures of members of the Resistance. Among those figures is an unnamed Resistance Bomber Pilot, exclusive to only this set. However, a year later, LEGO released an updated version of the product. The set number was the same, as was the piece count, but the Resistance Bomber Pilot was swapped out for the character Finch Dallow. The new figure had an exclusive face print and helmet piece, meaning fans who wanted to collect every minifigure had to repurchase the same set again or buy Dallow from a third-party market. Because of this, and an oddly short run for the new version of 75188, the set has exploded in popularity, making Finch Dallow one of the most valuable LEGO minifigures of all time, fetching prices upwards of $1000.
10026: Special Edition Naboo Starfighter (2002)
10026: Special Edition Naboo Starfighter is by far the smallest UCS set ever created, with a mere 187 pieces. At first glance, the set might look like any ole LEGO N-1, but you’ll soon discover the component that sets this build apart from the rest: a plethora of shiny and chrome elements. These exclusive pieces drive up the price of the set beyond belief. In addition, this product had a very brief shelf-life, only available for purchase for two months at the end of 2002, meaning sealed copies are in short supply today.
10179: Ultimate Collector’s Millennium Falcon (2007)
The biggest LEGO set of all time upon its release in 2007, the first-ever UCS Millennium Falcon immediately became a staple of any LEGO Star Wars fan’s mega collection. Made to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Star Wars, this 5,197-piece behemoth used to command even double the price it does today, but because of the 2017 remake, it has depreciated over time. Still, the set’s stranglehold over the LEGO Star Wars fandom for over a decade contributed to the idea that these small, plastic bricks are a better investment than gold.
10143: Death Star II (2005)
The third and final UCS Death Star on the list, and the only one specifically dedicated to the second version from Return of the Jedi, 10143 is one of the most beloved LEGO Star Wars sets ever made. Instead of a fully detailed interior with minifigures to populate, this 3,449-piece model is just that: a model. An eye-opening centerpiece of any collection, LEGO masterfully captured the unfinished essence of Death Star II, all while incorporating the space station’s massive laser and a miniature-scale version of the Imperial Star Destroyer.
10018: Darth Maul (2001)
The penultimate set on this countdown might surprise you: a 1,868-piece bust of Darth Maul. In fact, this remains the only bust LEGO has ever made within the Star Wars theme. Despite a lukewarm reception in 2001, the set now enjoys a cult following, with the rarity of the product in its original box propelling it to new heights. The design is also spectacular for the time as well, accurately picturing the Sith Lord’s menacing face and sadistic horns.
10123: Cloud City (2003)
The LEGO Star Wars set to end all LEGO Star Wars sets, 10123: Cloud City has solidified itself as the ultimate piece for any collection. Ironically, it’s not even part of the Ultimate Collector Series, so why is it so popular? For starters, it was the first-ever rendition of anything Cloud City in LEGO form, meaning fans could finally recreate moments such as, “No, I am your father” in the system. Second, Lando Calrissian came as a LEGO minifigure for the first time, and the scoundrel only appeared in that set for the next six years. Finally, a highly-detailed Boba Fett figure with added arm and leg printing was included, way ahead of its time. Boba Fett alone from 10123 is worth more than the majority of sets on this list, often selling for over $2,000. All these factors came together to form the perfect storm of a LEGO Star Wars set, and as the years pass, new copies are becoming increasingly hard to find, yielding the most valuable LEGO Star Wars set of all time.
All of these sets can be purchased on eBay right now.
The post 25 Valuable LEGO Star Wars Sets You Need to Own Today appeared first on Den of Geek.
