“A long time ago in a bedroom far, far away….” there was a mini-me playing with what would now surely be the most collectible Star Wars action figures ever.
That child grew up into a budding collector who spent the best part of a decade hunting down boxed 1970s Star Wars toys like The Mandalorian hunts down Krayt Dragons and Jawas:
(Disney Plus hit it out of the park with The Mandalorian).
Anyway… these flashbacks of playing with rare Star Wars figures always trigger the same famous last words:
“If only I had kept them boxed”.
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Rare Star Wars Toys
Memory is a tricky little thing because there’s no way I owned a super-rare 1978 Luke Skywalker action figure with the double extending lightsaber:
Nor is it possible I owned an original Darth Vader action figure:
FACT: The truly rare Star Wars collectibles – the toys worth money – are few and far between.
And this is one thing many 40-plus-year-old men convince themselves of:
That they once had one of the super rare Star Wars action figures.
(I still do it on a bi-weekly basis).
The truth is most-likely: If you were a child in the late 70s and 80s who was fortunate enough to have Star Wars action figures, there’s no way you’d keep them boxed.
FACT #2: They’re just too cool!.
Star Wars toys worth money
If you’re on the hunt, the most valuable vintage Star Wars figures remain boxed but finding them is the equivalent of:
- Playing roulette with authenticity.
- Paying ludicrous amounts (which is a problem – see #1).
- Waiting for a miracle (the equivalent of a barn find).
I’ve done all three and it’s why I stopped chasing rare 1970s Star Wars toys and switched to the 80s:
FACT: Between 2008 and 2015 I purchased two Boba Fett action figures (1979s):
- The first was a fake loose action figure that cost $25ish.
- The second, also a fake with arguably the most convincing boxing I had ever seen I should have known better with as the price was $350.
A real 1979 Boba Fett in a good condition box is $1500-$3000 all day long. And that’s not even the super-rare version (keep swiping down to see).
TIP: For anyone who is considering collecting Star Wars toys – focus on action figures that have their accessories!
At this point, loose 70s and 80s Star Wars toys still range in value from $20 – $200 without boxes. With boxes $100 – $3,000:
(And it seems to still be going up).
As for 90s Star Wars toys, their values are far lower. With boxed figures easily attainable between $10-$20.
TIP: 1990s Star Wars toys value may rise in a decade… No one knows. I’ve already picked up some of the rarer figures hoping they become valuable in the distant future:
(I even picked up some of The Last Jedi figures as that movie caused quite a stir and toys tanked – which may cause future rarity and interest).
My point, now might be the time to look out for tomorrows collectibles.
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The 5 Most Expensive Star Wars Action Figures
Here’s a tip for all future collectors – do your research!
FACT: I picked up a mint condition blue Snaggletooth Star Wars action figure in 2011. It was in a Kenner baggie and it cost $100:
(The original Kenner Star Wars figures are the most collectible).
At the time of purchase, I had no idea that the baggie made it classified as boxed.
If I had kept the baggie it would be worth $500 now:
(Fortunately, without the bag it still remains worth $200ish).
Yes, I am a lucky idiot.
A Snaggletooth would be about #10 on this list:
5. Boxed Vinyl Cape Jawa – $28,000
The mythical boxed vinyl cape Jawa. One of the most valuable Star Wars collectibles:
(Beware of fakes on this one).
This Star Wars action figures value is all about its cape.
When the toy first hit the market it had a vinyl cape, however, Kenner thought it made it look too cheap (ironic right?):
And switched the cape out for a cloth version.
A boxed Jawa in a cloth cape is $200-$400. A mint boxed Jawa with a vinyl cape was sold at auction for $30,000 roughly (£21,000 GBP).
4. Vlix – $45,430
Who is Vlix?
As someone who doesn’t remember the Droids series, this character is unknown to me:
However, as a collector I’ve been aware of it for a while. So here’s what you need to know:
- Droids was an animated show in the 80s.
- It focused on R2-D2 and C3PO’s adventures.
- This character was part of a second wave line-up of Droids’ toys.
- The toy was only ever released in Brazil.
- At which point the line-up was canceled.
This combination makes Vlix one of the most collectible Star Wars toys going:
And one of the most expensive – sold for $45,430 back in 2018.
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3. Double Telescoping Darth Vader – $64,000
Two of the top-3 most expensive Star Wars figures have one thing in common:
A double extending telescopic lightsaber.
What’s most amazing about this 1977 Darth Vadar action figure is that it never made it to market:
And that’s why is cost $64,900 at auction back in 2018.
2. Double Telescoping Obi-Wan $76,000
This 1977 Obi-Wan Kenobi action figure has the same credentials as the above Darth Vadar:
The only difference is that in 2018, a boxed Obi-Wan sold at auction for $76,700.
Clearly, the light-side is stronger at auction.
1. Rocket Firing Boba Fett – $185,000
To this day I’m convinced I had a Boba Fett that fired rockets:
And to this day I remain 100% wrong.
How can I be certain? This rocket firing bounty hunter never made it to market. It was scrapped.
The only versions of this toy that exist are prototypes spanning the different phases of production.
FACT: In 2019 this toy sold at auction for $185,850. Which is more than the value of my house.
In Conclusion
Suffice to say, I don’t own any of these top-5 most sought after Star Wars toys.
Further still, I never have and never will at those prices:
And as a massive Star Wars fan, that fact is a little heart breaking.