28 Rarest and Most Expensive LEGO Sets You'll Want to Collect

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Discover their worth & how they're expected to grow in value
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Have you ever wondered if that old LEGO set you got when you were a kid is worth anything? Believe it or not, there are a few LEGO sets that are rare enough that they sell for thousands of dollars – used and new! Check out our list of the 28 most valuable LEGO sets to see if yours is among them (and if not, we'll tell you where to buy them ).

Rarest LEGO Sets Worth Money

  1. 4000012 Piper Airplane - $12,726
  2. Ole Kirk's House - $12,185
  3. 106 UNICEF Van - $11,425
  4. Han Solo Indiana Jones Transformation Chamber - $10,078
  5. Exclusive T-Rex - $8,872
  6. 10123 LEGO Star Wars Cloud City - $8,197
Section 1 of 4:

28 Most Valuable LEGO Sets

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  1. LEGO released the Piper Airplane set in 2012 as an exclusive for attendees of their 2012 LEGO Inside Tour. It comes with 795 pieces and 5 minifigures. They only made 53 of them, making them an extremely rare set you'd be lucky to get your hands on! [1]
    • Factory Sealed Value: $12,726
    • Used Value: $2,452-$2,782
    • Future Annual Value Growth Rate: 10.71%
    • The LEGO Inside Tour is touted as the ultimate fan experience. It lasts 3 days and takes attendees on a guided tour through the company's first factory in Billund, Denmark, and the house of its founder, Ole Kirk Kristiansen.
    • Tickets for the Inside Tour cost 23000 DKK or $3300 USD. The cost includes a hotel stay and meals.
  2. 2
    Ole Kirk's House (2009) Ole Kirk's House is a LEGO-sized replica of the house owned by LEGO founder, Ole Kirk Kristiansen. It comes with 910 pieces in a charming white and red brick design. Only 32 copies of this set were made, and those were given exclusively to LEGO 2009 Inside Tour guests. [2]
    • Factory Sealed Value: $12,185
    • Used Value: $9,921-$11,256
    • Future Annual Value Growth Rate: 10.38%
    • This set is similar to 4000007 Ole Kirk's House, but there's a big difference between the two in terms of value and exclusivity. The 4000007 set was given to LEGO employees as a Christmas present in 2012 and is valued at $541 (new and unopened). [3]
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  3. 3
    106 UNICEF Van (1985) LEGO released the UNICEF Van in 1985 as part of their Town series in a limited run of 100 copies. It was made in partnership with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and exclusively available to LEGO Club members in Canada. It comes with 54 pieces and 1 minifigure. [4]
    • Factory Sealed Value: $11,425
    • Used Value: $596-$1,001
    • Future Annual Value Growth Rate: 8.93%
  4. The annual Toy Fair in New York is a popular place to snag very limited, very valuable LEGO sets – like this Han Solo Indiana Jones Transformation Chamber. Given out at the collector's party at the 2008 New York Toy Fair, the 56-piece set comes with 2 minifigures – Han Solo from Star Wars and Indiana Jones, both of whom are played on-screen by actor Harrison Ford – and a rotating chamber to give the illusion of one character transforming into the other. Only 100 copies were made, and new and sealed versions hold an estimated value of $10,078. [5]
    • Factory Sealed Value: $10,078
    • Used Value: $8,057-$9,141
    • Future Annual Value Growth Rate: 10.71%
  5. 5
    Exclusive T-Rex (2018) This fun set was inspired by the Jurassic World film franchise and features a fearsome-looking T-Rex with a mouth you can open and close. LEGO made 500 of them in 2018 to promote the release of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom . They mostly sold them in LEGO and toy shops in Europe, so if you find one in the US, count yourself lucky!. [6]
    • Factory Sealed Value: $8,872
    • Used Value: $7,071-$8,022
    • Future Annual Value Growth Rate: 7.2%
  6. 6
    LEGO Castle (1978) OG LEGO fans may remember this LEGO Castle set from 1978 as the first castle the company ever released. Its bright yellow color makes it stand out from other rare LEGO sets, as does its hinged design that allows you to open the castle up or leave it closed for display. It comes with 14 minifigures and bricks to build individual horses (this was before LEGO started releasing horses in one piece). [7]
    • Factory Sealed Value: $8,482
    • Used Value: $250-$355
    • Future Annual Value Growth Rate: 8.66%
  7. 7
    10123 LEGO Star Wars Cloud City (2003) Every Star Wars fan will immediately recognize which famous scene this LEGO Star Wars Cloud City set from 2003 depicts. Inspired by Star Wars Episode V: Empire Strikes Back , Cloud City features 7 detailed minifigures of the main heroes and villains from the film – including a highly sought-after Boba Fett minifigure (featured on our list of 20 rare minifigures ) that's worth up to $2000 just on its own! [8]
    • Factory Sealed Value: $8,197
    • Used Value: $3,340-$4,383
    • Future Annual Value Growth Rate: 5.05%
  8. The Cars LEGO set with 3 simplistic, brick-built cars (1 yellow, 1 red, and 1 white) is another example of an exclusive LEGO Inside Tour giveaway. In this case, only 33 of these sets were made and given out to Inside Tour guests in 2010, making them rare indeed! [9]
    • Factory Sealed Value: $7,805
    • Used Value: $6,355-$7,210
    • Future Annual Value Growth Rate: 9.20%
  9. 9
    1584 LEGO Lion Knights Knight's Challenge (1988) This colorful set from the LEGO Castle series was released exclusively in Denmark and comes with everything you need to hold a proper LEGO jousting tournament. Among its pieces and accessories are 2 sets of knights (the Lion Knights and the Black Monarch Knights), a jousting green, horses, and a pavilion for the damsel to sit and watch the fight. It's not quite worth a king's ransom, but the top value at auction is still a pretty penny, as you'll see below. [10]
    • Factory Sealed Value: $6,608
    • Used Value: $243-$359
    • Future Annual Value Growth Rate: 7.03%
    • Don't confuse this set with the 6060 Knight's Challenge released in the US in 1989! That set is identical to the 1584 version released in Denmark in the previous year, but it's valued less at $969. [11]
  10. 10
    4000008 Villy Thomsen Truck (2013) The Villy Thomsen Truck set is a throwback to the first truck LEGO used to transport their products back in 1958. Only 43 of them were given out to attendees of the LEGO Inside Tour in 2013. It comes with 355 pieces, 3 minifigures, and an exclusive sticker set.. [12]
    • Factory Sealed Value: $6,193
    • Used Value: $196-$241
    • Future Annual Value Growth Rate: 9.20%
  11. 11
    4000040 LEGO Fire Engine (2023) LEGO made 300 copies of the LEGO Fire Engine for Inside Tour guests in 2023. This set is designed to be a replica of a real wooden fire truck from the 1940s and is a beautiful example of LEGO's famous attention to detail. One of the things that makes this set so unique and sought-after is it comes with 4 printed pieces you can't find in any other set: 2 bricks printed with the 1940 LEGO logo and 2 4x6 grille slopes. [13]
    • Factory Sealed Value: $5,990
    • Used Value: $4,877-$5,533
    • Future Annual Value Growth Rate: 5.77%
  12. The Monorail Airport Shuttle set (also known as the International Shuttle) is unique because the shuttle can actually run by itself on its track thanks to a 9V battery-powered motor. The set also comes with 9 minifigures and fun, colorful accessories like trees, flowers, and a lamppost to decorate the shuttle waiting area. [14]
    • Factory Sealed Value: $5,861
    • Used Value: $828-$1,139
    • Future Annual Value Growth Rate: Unknown (current annual growth rate is 6%)
  13. 13
    7730 LEGO Electric Goods Train Set (1980) The Electric Goods Train set comes with a red engine at the front and 3 rail cars behind, along with its own track! The best part, though, is the 12V battery-powered engine, which allows the train to chug along the track without anyone having to push it. This set is a rare find and well worth investing in. [15]
    • Factory Sealed Value: $5,459
    • Used Value: $317-$406
    • Future Annual Value Growth Rate: Unknown (current annual growth rate is 9.30%)
  14. 14
    4000042 The Vault Memory Lane (2024) LEGO Inside Tour 2024 attendees received this incredible set to commemorate their time touring the LEGO factory in Billund, Denmark. It's a replica of the Vault, a room where LEGO keeps copies of every set they've ever created. It comes with several minifigures, including an archive worker, tour guides, and tour guests. [16]
    • Factory Sealed Value: $5,425
    • Used Value: $4,417-$8,944
    • Future Annual Value Growth Rate: 5.64%
  15. 15
    LEGO Toy Fair 2005 Star Wars V.I.P. Gala Set (2005) If you attended the V.I.P. Gala at the 2005 Toy Fair, you might have received this extremely rare LEGO set. It was created to commemorate Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith , which was released in theaters that same year. It features 2 minifigures – Darth Vader and Anakin Skywalker – and depicts the scene where Anakin completes his transformation into Vader. [17]
    • Factory Sealed Value: $5,376
    • Used Value: $4,407-$5,000
    • Future Annual Value Growth Rate: 12.13%
    • One of the things that makes this set so special and valuable (aside from its exclusivity) is that it's only 1 of 2 LEGO sets in which Darth Vader comes without his signature black cape.
  16. This yellow LEGO Castle is exactly the same as the one LEGO released in 1978. By re-releasing it as a new model, LEGO gave fans of this set another opportunity to have a version for their very own (in case they weren't able to buy the first version before it was retired). It's not quite as valuable as the original Castle set, but it's still expensive new-in-box (NIB). [18]
    • Factory Sealed Value: $5,300
    • Used Value: $343-$420
    • Future Annual Value Growth Rate: 11.29%
  17. 17
    4000002 LOM 2011 Moulding (2011) This unique set is a small-scale replica of LEGO's second moulding plant in Mexico. LEGO manufactured and gave these out to all the employees at the factory to commemorate its opening. That definitely makes this a rare set, since you can't just go to the store and buy it! [19]
    • Factory Sealed Value: $5,256
    • Used Value: $249-$304
    • Future Annual Value Growth Rate: 9.18%
    • LOM stands for "LEGO Operations Mexico."
  18. 18
    LECA Automobile (2005) The LECA automobile was the first-ever exclusive set LEGO made to give out on its Inside Tours. They produced and distributed a total of 30 of these sets to Inside Tour attendees in 2005 and 2006. The 251-piece build is a unique design based on a car model made by former LEGO CEO Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen. [20]
    • Factory Sealed Value: $5,174
    • Used Value: $4,213-$4,779
    • Future Annual Value Growth Rate: 8.17%
  19. 19
    LEGO San Diego Comic Con 2008 Clone Wars (2008) Ever year at San Diego Comic Con, LEGO sells exclusive sets that convention attendees have to enter a raffle to get the chance to buy. In 2008, one of those sets was this Star Wars build inspired by the animated Star Wars: The Clone Wars movie. It comes with 16 minifigures, including Captain Rex, 4 Republic clones, and 11 Separatist droids. [21]
    • Factory Sealed Value: $5,067
    • Used Value: $4,126-$4,681
    • Future Annual Value Growth Rate: 7.43%
  20. Avast, me hearties, and feast your eyes on this pirate LEGO ship, the biggest ship the company released between 1993 and 2010! With 912 pieces, 9 minifigures, and 3 large masts, this set is remarkable not just for its size, but also its attention to detail (including cannons, a dinghy, an anchor, and a shark to catch any pirates thrown overboard on the high seas). [22]
    • Factory Sealed Value: $5,050
    • Used Value: $500-$703
    • Future Annual Value Growth Rate: Unknown (current annual growth rate is 6%)
  21. 21
    7750 LEGO Trains Steam Engine with Tender (1980) This train set from 1980 comes with all the bells and whistles, including an engine powered by a battery, a railcar carrying the engine's "fuel" (called a tender), and distinctive red wheels that aren't found on any other LEGO train! It also comes with 2 minifigure train attendants and lights on the front of the engine and the back of the tender. [23]
    • Factory Sealed Value: $4,926
    • Used Value: $518-$658
    • Future Annual Value Growth Rate: Unknown (current annual growth rate is 10%)
  22. 22
    10143 LEGO Star Wars Death Star II (2005) What Star Wars fan wouldn't want a giant, detailed LEGO version of one of the most iconic space stations in the franchise? This LEGO Death Star II set from 2005 is based on the version of the station from Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (which is why it only looks half-finished when it's fully constructed). With 3,441 pieces, the set is truly enormous, and its value NIB is enormous, too. [24]
    • Factory Sealed Value: $3,085
    • Used Value: $704-$1,027
    • Future Annual Value Growth Rate: 1.56%
  23. 23
    10182 LEGO Cafe Corner (2007) The Cafe Corner is a highly detailed set of an old-fashioned street corner, complete with a Hotel and a Cafe. It comes with 3 removable stories that stack on top of one another, 3 minifigures, and a few rare pieces. It also connects with other modular LEGO sets, including the 10185 Green Grocer and the 10190 Market Street sets. [25]
    • Factory Sealed Value: $2,800
    • Used Value: $701-$902
    • Future Annual Value Growth Rate: 4.04%
  24. This beautiful, elaborate set contains 3,263 pieces and comes with 9 minifigures. By far, though, its best feature is the carousel itself, which moves and plays music. LEGO collectors are always happy to acquire this set, especially as a display item. [26]
    • Factory Sealed Value: $2,616
    • Used Value: $750-$1,019
    • Future Annual Value Growth Rate: Unknown (current annual growth rate is 5%)
  25. 25
    6987 Blacktron Message Intercept Base (1988) The Message Intercept Base set was released in 1988 as part of LEGO's Space series. It comes with an outpost, a spaceship, a rover, and a rover, along with 5 identical astronaut minifigures dressed in black to show their allegiance to the Blacktron faction. [27] Blacktron was marketed as the "bad guys" in the Space series, with the Futuron faction posing as the "good guys." [28]
    • Factory Sealed Value: $2,183
    • Used Value: $269-$344
    • Future Annual Value Growth Rate: Unknown (current annual growth rate is 6%)
  26. 26
    10179 LEGO Star Wars Ultimate Collector's Millennium Falcon (2007) This 5,197-piece set of the most recognizable ship in the Star Wars film franchise is every Star Wars fan's dream. Featuring an incredible level of detail, this set also comes with 5 minifigures of classic Star Wars characters Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Princess Leia, Chewbacca, and Ben Kenobi. It was re-released in 2017, but this first version from 2007 is the most sought-after. One set sold for $15,000 at an auction in Las Vegas! [29]
    • Factory Sealed Value: $1,990
    • Used Value: $908-$1,200
    • Future Annual Value Growth Rate: 3.19%
  27. 27
    10181 Eiffel Tower (2007) The Eiffel Tower from LEGO's Advanced Models series is almost as impressive as the real thing. In fact, this set may be as close as many LEGO collectors ever get to the tower in Paris, as it's a 1:300 scale replica made to look as close to the original as possible. Make sure you have enough room for it on your shelf, though, as it stands 42.5 in (108 cm) tall when fully assembled. [30]
    • Factory Sealed Value: $1,222
    • Used Value: $394-$498
    • Future Annual Value Growth Rate: Unknown (current annual growth rate is 5%)
  28. The Taj Mahal is a great example of how the value of certain LEGO sets can rise, fall, then rise again over time. After this gorgeous 5,922-piece set was retired in 2010, its value skyrocketed to $2000-$3000. Then, in 2017, LEGO released a new version of the set under the model number 10256, causing the 10189 version's value to sink below $500. Since then, though, the newer version has also been retired, allowing the original's value to climb its way back up above $1000. [31]
    • Factory Sealed Value: $1,016
    • Used Value: $332-$428
    • Future Annual Value Growth Rate: 2.76%
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Section 2 of 4:

Where to Get Rare LEGO Sets

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  1. 1
    eBay eBay is probably the most popular place to find rare, expensive LEGO sets online. Some sellers may list their sets as auctions that you have so many days to bid on or let you Buy It Now for a flat price. Look up the set on a website like BrickEconomy that tracks LEGO market values or check other eBay listings for the same set to make sure you don't bid or pay more for it than it's worth.
    • Don't forget to check the eBay seller's ratings to verify that they're legitimate, and that their other customers have been pleased with their purchases.
  2. 2
    BrickLink This online marketplace is for selling, buying, and trading LEGO products only. Just like on eBay, expect the competition to be stiff when you're vying for high-value sets. Register a BrickLink account first, then trawl the site for sets you're interested in. When you find one you want to buy, complete your purchase as soon as possible before another interested buyer snags it.
    • An alternative to buying entire rare LEGO sets is assembling the sets yourself by buying the individual pieces off BrickLink. This is also a great strategy if you own a rare LEGO set already but are missing some key bricks.
  3. 3
    Secondhand sales Sometimes you can find valuable LEGO sets by simply exploring your own neighborhood. They may not be new in the box, but LEGO collector and social media creator Matt Koba suggests looking for secondhand LEGO in places like flea markets, thrift stores, and yard sales. Some people have old LEGO sets lying around their house, and even if they think it might have value, "they might sell it cheap just to get rid of it," says Koba. "So you could get lucky."
  4. 4
    Family & friends In addition to visiting secondhand shops and sales, Koba also suggests the easiest method of finding old, rare LEGO of all: asking the people you know. "Talk to family members," Koba says, "talk to friends, [and] see if anybody is getting rid of an old collection that they have sitting in their attic." If storing LEGO is taking up too much of their space, they might be happy to get rid of it, "especially if they know it's going to go to somebody who's going to use it."
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Section 3 of 4:

How to Find Your LEGO Set's Value

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  1. BrickEconomy tracks the current and projected value of LEGO sets, minifigures, and individual LEGO pieces. They also list where on the internet used or new versions of the set have sold recently and how much they brought on the market. It's a great place to find out approximately how much you can expect to get for your set, depending on its condition.
    • To find your set on BrickEconomy quickly and easily, enter the 5-7-digit model number listed on the front of the box the set came in and its instructions in the search bar. [32]
    • If you can't find the model number (maybe you don't have the box or the instructions anymore), try doing a more generalized search for the set type. For example, if you have a pirate ship but you're not sure which one it is, type "pirate ship" in the search bar on BrickEconomy and look through the results until you find one you recognize.
    • In general, LEGO sets that are still sealed in their original packaging from the factory are worth a lot more than sets that have been opened. But even some used sets can be worth thousands of dollars, providing they're in good overall condition and aren't missing any parts.
Section 4 of 4:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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  1. 1
    What is the rarest LEGO set? The rarest LEGO set is the LECA Automobile worth $5,174 new and unsealed. LEGO only made 30 copies of this set and gave them to LEGO Inside Tour guests throughout 2005-2006. [33]
  2. 2
    What is the most valuable LEGO set? Currently, the most valuable LEGO set is the 4000012 Piper Airplane set from 2012. It's worth $12,726 factory-sealed. [34]
  3. 3
    Which LEGO set is most likely to increase in value? Currently, the LEGO set most likely to increase in value is the LEGO Toy Fair 2005 Star Wars V.I.P. Gala Set. Its projected annual value growth rate is 12.13%, and it's currently valued at $5,376 new-in-box. [35]
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.brickeconomy.com/set/4000012-1/piper-airplane
      2. ↑ https://www.brickeconomy.com/set/SID0034200-1/ole-kirks-house
      3. ↑ https://www.brickeconomy.com/set/4000007-1/lego-ole-kirks-house
      4. ↑ https://www.brickeconomy.com/set/106-1/lego-unicef-van
      5. ↑ https://www.brickeconomy.com/set/SID0036040-1/star-wars-han-solo-indiana-jones-transformation-chamber
      6. ↑ https://www.brickeconomy.com/set/4000031-1/lego-jurassic-world-fallen-kingdom-exclusive-t-rex
      7. ↑ https://www.brickeconomy.com/set/375-2/lego-castle
      8. ↑ https://www.brickeconomy.com/set/10123-1/lego-star-wars-cloud-city
      9. ↑ https://www.brickeconomy.com/set/4000000-1/cars
      1. ↑ https://www.brickeconomy.com/set/1584-1/lego-lion-knights-knights-challenge
      2. ↑ https://www.brickeconomy.com/set/6060-1/lego-lion-knights-knights-challenge
      3. ↑ https://www.brickeconomy.com/set/4000008-1/villy-thomsen-truck
      4. ↑ https://www.brickeconomy.com/set/4000040-1/lego-fire-engine
      5. ↑ https://www.brickeconomy.com/set/6399-1/lego-monorail-airport-shuttle
      6. ↑ https://www.brickeconomy.com/set/7730-1/lego-electric-goods-train-set
      7. ↑ https://www.brickeconomy.com/set/4000042-1/the-vault-memory-lane
      8. ↑ https://www.brickeconomy.com/set/SID0040260-1/lego-toy-fair-2005-star-wars-vip-gala-set
      9. ↑ https://www.brickeconomy.com/set/6075-2/lego-castle
      10. ↑ https://www.brickeconomy.com/set/4000002-1/lom-2011-moulding
      11. ↑ https://www.brickeconomy.com/set/SID0040150-1/leca-automobile
      12. ↑ https://www.brickeconomy.com/set/SID0036000-1/lego-star-wars-san-diego-comic-con-2008-clone-wars
      13. ↑ https://www.brickeconomy.com/set/6286-1/lego-pirates-skulls-eye-schooner
      14. ↑ https://www.brickeconomy.com/set/7750-1/lego-trains-steam-engine-with-tender
      15. ↑ https://www.brickeconomy.com/set/10143-1/lego-star-wars-death-star-ii
      16. ↑ https://www.brickeconomy.com/set/10182-1/lego-cafe-corner
      17. ↑ https://www.brickeconomy.com/set/10196-1/lego-grand-carousel
      18. ↑ https://www.brickeconomy.com/set/6987-1/lego-blacktron-message-intercept-base
      19. ↑ https://brickipedia.fandom.com/wiki/Blacktron
      20. ↑ https://www.brickeconomy.com/set/10179-1/lego-star-wars-ultimate-collectors-millennium-falcon
      21. ↑ https://www.brickeconomy.com/set/10181-1/lego-eiffel-tower
      22. ↑ https://www.brickeconomy.com/set/10189-1/lego-taj-mahal
      23. ↑ https://www.lego.com/en-us/service/help-topics/article/identifying-lego-set-and-part-numbers
      24. ↑ https://www.brickeconomy.com/set/SID0040150-1/leca-automobile
      25. ↑ https://www.brickeconomy.com/set/4000012-1/piper-airplane
      26. ↑ https://www.brickeconomy.com/set/SID0040260-1/lego-toy-fair-2005-star-wars-vip-gala-set

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