Key Points
- The #1 most expensive LEGO minifigure is the Solid Gold 14K C-3PO
- Minifigs with limited production runs and high demand can command very high prices
- Most expensive minifigs are themed, usually based on Star Wars
- Getting your hands on one is difficult, but it’s a collector’s dream
When you think of LEGO, you’re probably picturing some sort of vehicle, a castle, or simply a pile of mismatched bricks discarded on the floor and forgotten about after a child’s play session. But there’s a lot more to LEGO than the typical sets you might expect. Many LEGO enthusiasts are passionate about collecting minifigures, especially those from their favorite movies, TV shows, and video game series. There’s something special about having your favorite figures lovingly displayed on a shelf or in a dedicated cabinet. Sometimes these minifigs can get ridiculously expensive, though, particularly if only a handful of units get produced for a promotional event. In this article, we’re going to discover the 5 most expensive LEGO minifigs on Earth today, so stick around and prepare to be shocked.
Solid Gold 14K C-3PO
Kicking off the list is an extremely elusive Star Wars minifig. Who could’ve guessed? After all, we love Sci-Fi. The solid gold C-3PO minifig is as beautiful as it is scarce. Only five of these figures were created to celebrate the franchise’s 30th anniversary. The lucky winners simply had to send in a postcard to a competition, which we would say is a fairly good payoff for their efforts. It’s safe to say you won’t find one of these in your local toy store. Recent reports say one was available on eBay for an astronomical $300,000, so that gives you a good idea of just how coveted these little golden protocol droids are.
Ninjago Wooden Wu
Ninjago is definitely one of LEGO’s most successful forays into the world of TV and movies. As such, it only makes sense that they produced some awesome minifigs to go along with it. Master Wu is a much-loved character, so it seems right for him to be forever immortalized in… wood! Yes, funnily enough, this minifig is not made from plastic or even precious metals, but humble timber. You may not think that would make this an expensive piece, but you would be wrong. In addition to the huge popularity of the series, the fact that only four Wus were made makes them a very valuable LEGO figure indeed. We’re talking over $100,000 to get your hands on one of these.
The legend says that all four figures remain firmly within the grasp of LEGO’s senior creative director and some of his staff. You may have to go on your very own magical adventure to add a wooden Wu to your collection.
Solid 18K White Gold R2-D2
We can’t say we’re surprised that exclusive Star Wars droids tend to command insane prices. After all, they’re very hard not to love. This rendition of R2-D2 is made completely out of 18-carat white gold and is truly unique. Only one of these was ever made, meaning the fortunate owner received a certificate of authenticity along with their prized droid. It’s not confirmed whether you can actually remove the minifig from the protective case. But with something so rare, you’d probably be hesitant to hold it in your hand anyway.
This is another example of a minifig that was only available during a LEGO contest. In particular, the Millennium Falcon Black VIP Cardholders event. Estimates of the price are exactly that, but often come in at around $40,000. You can expect the value to increase over time, though. The popularity of Star Wars minifigs is as enduring as the franchise itself.
Solid Silver C-3PO
The sterling silver version of C-3PO made its debut during the LEGO anniversary event of 2007. He doesn’t fetch quite as much as the white gold R2-D2. But at approximately $34,000, he still does very well for himself. Of course, this is partly due to the silver he’s made out of, but also because of the sheer passion that LEGO collectors have for the Star Wars universe. If you get the chance to add this minifig to your collection (and have the funds), we’ll completely understand if you have to have it.
Gold, Silver, and White Boba Fett Trio
Technically, the white Boba Fett included here isn’t nearly as rare or valuable as the gold and silver figures. While there are around 16,000 white Boba Fetts out there in the world, there are just two of the silver and 14K gold. They were handed out as part of an exclusive trio during 2010’s San Diego Comic-Con. Seeing as the lucky recipients were handed these for free, the estimated value of around $37,000 seems even more tantalizing. It would be a heartbreaking decision to try to part ways with everyone’s favorite bounty hunter, though. Still, getting your hands on this exclusive set would be an amazing addition to your Star Wars collection and would look awesome on a display shelf. Just don’t make us too jealous if you manage to grab these precious little Boba Fetts!
Most Expensive LEGO Minifigs: Wrapping Up
LEGO isn’t just for building fortresses, dinosaurs, and motorcycles. There are lots of avid collectors out there dying to get their hands on the most valuable minifigs to display and admire.
The priciest figures tend to be made out of gold or silver. But this isn’t always the case. In fact, one of the most expensive is made out of wood! The biggest factors in determining the value of a minifig are the popularity and significance of the franchise it represents and the number that were produced. Many of the most valuable figures were only manufactured a handful of times, and some of them only once. It can be extremely difficult to get your hands on one, as most collectors are hesitant to part with their beloved possessions. But if you’re prepared to pay the price, you just might be the proud owner of one of the most expensive LEGO minifigs someday.
Summary Table
Minifig | Material | Estimated Value |
---|---|---|
Solid Gold 14K C-3PO | Gold | $300,000 |
Ninjago Wooden Wu | Wood | Over $100,000 |
Solid 18K White Gold R2-D2 | White Gold | $40,000 |
Solid Silver C-3PO | Silver | $34,000 |
Gold, Silver, and White Boba Fett Trio | Gold, Silver, and Plastic | $37,000 |
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Ekaterina_Minaeva/Shutterstock.com.