Before you vacuum up that piece of Lego marooned in the middle of the carpet, ask yourself if that little piece of plastic is worth anything. Lego has always been a collectable item, but the brand’s recent push into the adult market has increased the value of second-hand bricks as grown-ups seek out the sets from their childhood.
If you’re the lucky owner of one of these rare Lego sets or minifigures, you could be sitting on thousands of pounds.
1. Lego Moulding Machines
The Lego moulding machine (4000001) replicates the machines used to make Lego. It was given away free to attendees of the Lego Inside Tour in May 2011. Only 68 were made, making this Lego set incredibly rare.
It consists of a 1940s/50s manual-operated moulding machine and an injection moulding machine from the 2000s.
According to BrickEconomy, this 795-piece set is worth £5,688. In June 2020, a set signed by Lego designer Melody Louise Caddick was listed on eBay for $10,000 (£6236 approx).
2. Yellow Castle
Nostalgia plays a significant role in the value placed on Lego sets. Retired sets command a higher price in the second-hand brick market, especially among people looking for a particular set they remember from childhood.
Castle (375-2) is an iconic-looking Lego set from 1978. Also known as “Yellow Castle”, it has 767 pieces and 14 minifigures. Today, it’s worth around £8,649 (not a bad return if you’ve got one of these sets in your loft).
3. Monorail Airport Shuttle
Lego’s Monorail Airport Shuttle (6399) was released in 1990 as part of the Town Airport series. Its production was outsourced to another company that subsequently went bust, and the tools needed to make the track were lost. This set is highly sought-after among fans as no more can be made.
It comes with two battery-powered rail cars, a track, two stations, and nine minifigures. It’s rare to find this set in its original box, but if you happen to have one tucked away somewhere safe, you could be in for a windfall of up to £3,000.
4. Star Wars Death Star II
Star Wars Lego is a collectable item and is hugely popular among fans. Like all Lego, though, its price goes up and down as new sets are launched and old sets are retired. The Death Star II (10143) is an example of a set that is doing well.
Part of the Ultimate Collector’s Series, this set has over 3400+ pieces. When it was released in 2005, it held the title of the Lego set with the most pieces. Aimed at the over-16 market, this set is not for the faint of heart.
BrickEconomy estimates that a new set with its original box is worth around £2,448.
5. Mr Gold mini figure
Lego minifigures are typically worth less than complete sets, but some exceptions exist. Mr Gold, released in 2013, is one of these exceptions. Only 5000 of these little top-hatted figures were made, and today, you can expect to earn a few hundred or even thousands of pounds for it.
The bottom line on valuable Lego sets
The price of Lego is incredibly volatile. Prices go up and down with the market as new sets are released, and even the time of year can affect sale prices. The popularity of franchises like Star Wars and Harry Potter also has a big effect.
The bottom line: If you think you have a valuable Lego set at home, have it appraised by an antique toy appraiser before you sell it on an auction site.
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