For decades, the colorful terminal bricks from Denmark have been inspiring young and old. Lego® sets are not only interesting for children to play with, but also for investors and collectors.
After Lego sets are no longer produced and are EOL (End of Life), they often increase in value and, with a little luck, are among the most valuable Lego sets of all time.
In particular, Lego sets with many minifigures have the potential to increase in value later on. Furthermore, the potential increase in value can be attributed to various factors:
- Included minifigures
- Exclusivity
- Age
- Theme world
- Year of release
In the following, we look at the 10 most valuable Lego sets of all time in detail and go into the reasons for the increases in value. As values of the sets we have referred to the Brickfact market values.
1. Lego® Star Wars 10123 Cloud City
The Lego® Star Wars 10123 Cloud City is the most valuable Lego set ever, with a current market value of about $7,260. The original RRP of the set was $89.99. With a number of 698 pieces, the set is relatively small for today's times. Cloud City was released in October 2003 and can thus be assigned to the initial phase of the cooperation between the Danish terminal brick manufacturer and the space saga.
The minifigures included in the set are another reason why Cloud City is the most valuable Lego set. Four of the eight minifigures included in the set are exclusive to the set. In total, the eight minifigures already have a market value of over $4,000. Some of the minifigures included in the set are among the most valuable Lego Star Wars minifigures in recent years.
Due to the low availability of the set, the age and the exclusive minifigures, the Cloud City is the most valuable Lego set ever.
2. Lego® Other 4000000 Cars
The Lego® 4000000 Cars set was limited to a number of 33 sets and is accordingly rare. With a market value of $6,480, the set is one of the most valuable Lego sets of all time.
The set was not available for purchase in public stores as usual, but was issued exclusively to the participants of the Lego Inside Tour of 2010 as a gift.
Lego enthusiasts can always apply a year in advance for a place to join the tour at Legoland Billund. However, the places are highly sought after and securing one of the coveted tickets is correspondingly difficult.
The high value of the set is solely due to its exclusivity.
3. Lego® Castle 6086 Black Knight's Castle
Lego® sets that have a knight reference are generally popular. Since there are not many knight sets, they are often valuable. Such is the case with the Lego Castle 6086 Black Knight's Castle, which is one of the most valuable Lego sets of all time, with a market value of about $4,920. The RRP of the set was just $85.
The 588-piece Knight's Castle was released in 1992, making it already one of the retro sets. There are 11 minifigures in the set in the form of different knights. Eight of the minifigures are exclusive to the set.
4. Lego® Town 6399 Airport Shuttle
The Lego® Town 6399 Airport Shuttle is unique in its kind and is one of the most valuable Lego sets released to date. The set was released in 1990 and includes 767 parts as well as nine minifigures. The market value of the retro set is about $4,600 and this with a former RRP of $140.
The 6399 Airport Shuttle represents one of a total of three monorail sets released by the Danish terminal block manufacturer. Like knight sets, Lego trains are extremely popular and accordingly sought after, which is reflected in the market price.
5. Lego® Trains 7735 Freight Train Set
The Lego® Trains 7735 Freight Train set was released in 1985 and includes 509 parts. With a market value of about $4,500, this train is also one of the most valuable Lego sets of the last decades.
The 7735 Lego train is remote controllable and features an eye-catching DB (Deutsche Bahn) lettering, which makes the set all the more interesting for collectors. In addition to trains, there are also many remote controlleld Lego Technic sets these days that might be of interest to fans of the Danish terminal block manufacturer.
6. Lego® Creator Expert 10190 Market Street
The Lego® Creator Expert 10190 Market Street from 2007 is part of the popular Modulars collection series. Market Street is the second set in the series, which is still in production today. With Modulars, Lego fans can build their own personal city out of sticky bricks and design it according to their individual wishes.
Market Street has a current market value of approximately $3,900, making it the most valuable Lego Modular set. At launch, the set was offered at an RRP of $99.99 and had 1,236 pieces.
The set still includes three exclusive minifigures, but they are secondary to the value. First and foremost, the value can be explained by the fact that the modulars are very popular among collectors and demand is correspondingly high.
7. Lego® Star Wars 10018 Darth Maul
The Lego® Star Wars 10018 Darth Maul set is one of the first UCS (Ultimate Collector Series) sets. It was released in October 2001 at an RRP of $150 and is one of the most valuable Lego sets of all time with a market value of about $3,840.
The set depicts the head of Star Wars character Darth Maul in miniature. With a number of 1,868 parts, the set was considered relatively large at the time. The fact that the set was one of the very first UCS sets makes it especially interesting for collectors today.
8. Lego® Star Wars 10143 Death Star II
The next set is also one from the USC series. The Lego® Star Wars 10143 Death Star II was released in September 2005 at an RRP of $369.99. The set, which consists of 2,775 pieces, is one of the most valuable Lego sets of all time with a market value of about $3,700.
As with the previous UCS set, Death Star II is especially popular with collectors due to its age and the exclusivity that comes with it.
9. Lego® Creator Expert 10182 Cafe Corner
With the Lego® Creator Expert 10182 Cafe Corner belongs to the most valuable Lego sets of all time, in addition to Market Street, another Modular. As a special feature, the Cafe Corner is also the first Modular Building to be released.
The Cafe Corner was released in 2007 at an RRP of $149.99 and included 2,056 parts and three exclusive minifigures.
The market value of approximately $3,460 is impressive, reflecting the popularity of the set.
10. Lego® Castle 6081 King's Mountain Fortress
Also among the most valuable Lego® sets released so far is the Lego Castle 6081 King's Mountain Fortress. This set is just like the previously mentioned Black Knight's Castle, also a knight's castle.
The set was released in 1990 with a number of 435 pieces. The market value of the set is about $3,365.
The most valuable Lego® sets: Conclusion
Lego® clamp bricks have evolved from simple toys into coveted collector's items and investments. For decades, they have delighted not only children but also adults. Sets that stand out due to their exclusivity, age or thematic features are particularly valuable.
A prime example is the Lego Star Wars 10123 Cloud City set, which stands out not only because of the cooperation with the Star Wars brand, but also because of exclusive minifigures. If you want to delve further into the topic of Lego Star Wars investments, you should definitely take a look at the Lego Star Wars Investment Sets. Limited editions such as the Lego 4000000 Cars set, which was only released for an exclusive group, are equally coveted.
Historical sets like the Knight Castles or the Lego Creator Expert themed world, especially the Modulars, are also very popular with collectors. The attention to detail and the possibility of individual design make them highlights in any collection. In summary, it can be said that Lego has developed far beyond the children's room into a real cultural asset that convinces in many respects from collector value to creative development.
For those interested in more worthwhile Lego investments, you might be interested in our Top 5 Lego EOL Sets 2023.
You want to buy Lego sets at a bargain price? In the Brickfact price comparison you can choose from a variety of providers and save money. The Brickfact app informs you via push notification as soon as a new Lego deal is available. The Brickfact app is free and available for both iOS and Android.
