Duane Beckett
Early Star Wars toys don’t always mean ultra-high prices. The big money usually goes to carded figures, rare variants, and high-grade pieces that are one in a million. However, loose 1970s Kenner toys are a vastly different story. For collectors who want original-era Star Wars plastic without spending the big bucks, these 1970s Star Wars toys are realistic and widely available.
Standard Kenner Jawa (Cloth Cape, Loose)
The standard cloth-cape Jawa was Kenner’s small 3.75-inch Tatooine scavenger and was released after the short-lived, now-super-valuable vinyl-cape version.
It reached U.S. toy aisles in 1978 with the early Star Wars figure line, which sold for about $1.99 per figure. PBS’ Antiques Roadshow put the regular cloth-cape Jawa at around $25 in one appraisal, while the vinyl version was the expensive outlier.
If on the hunt for a cloth-capped Jawa, look for the correct brown robe, a real blaster, clean yellow eyes, and no fake vinyl swap. Loose cloth examples often stay under $50 to $60 unless they’re especially clean or complete.
12-Inch Kenner Figures (Loose “Beaters”)
Kenner’s larger 12-inch line gave kids huge versions of Luke, Leia, Darth Vader, Chewbacca, C-3PO, and R2-D2. The Toy Collector’s Guide states that the series started in 1978, with later action figures arriving through 1980.
According to ActionFigure411, a 1979 12-inch Obi-Wan cost around $9.99 originally back in the 70s. Today, a boxed and complete figure can range between $375 and $1,500. However, loose beaters can be surprisingly low. For example, some 1978 Darth Vader listings sit at around $20 to $50.
Collectors look for clean, full capes, clothing, lightsabers, hair, face paint, and cracked bodies.
Kenner R2-D2 (Small Dome, Loose)
R2-D2 is an essential figure for any collection. Galactic Figures states that the first R2-D2 action figure arrived in 1978 as part of the Early Bird Kit. It was a basic $1.99 figure, like the other early carded Kenner figures. Current pricing jumps around, especially when graded examples enter the mix. For example, a graded early version mint-on-card can cost north of $2,000.
ActionFigure411 shows loose buy-it-now pricing at around the mid-double digits. Imperfect examples can still come in under $50. For me, the body sticker is where the value sits. If it’s clean, fantastic.
Collectors want limited yellowing, a clean body sticker, a firm clicking dome, and tight legs when it comes to 1970s Star Wars toys.
Early Kenner X-Wing, TIE Fighter, and Landspeeder (1978–79, Loose & Incomplete)
Kenner’s first vehicles were built for carpet battles, not sealed display cases. Rebelscum states that the X-Wing, TIE Fighter, and Land Speeder were all original 1978 vehicle releases.
According to ActionFigure411, the X-Wing and TIE Fighter carried an $11.44 retail price in 1978, while Rebelscum lists the TIE Fighter at $14.99.
Today, complete vehicles can get pricey, but incomplete examples are easier to find and buy. Plus, it’s often small elements that are missing, which don’t really impact how good these bigger items look in a display.
Current eBay results show 1978 X-Wings and Landspeeders with missing parts under $100. Keep an eye out for missing canopies, wings, decals, battery corrosion, and working electronics.
Other Loose 3.75-Inch Kenner Figures (1978–79)
Here’s the great thing about 1970s Star Wars toys and figures: the most common figures are often the biggest names in the franchise. For example, you can find a high number of Luke, Leia, Han, Vader, Chewbacca, C-3PO, Obi-Wan, and Stormtroopers everywhere.
Yahoo Finance reported that the early figures were priced at $1.99 each, which sounds wild now when modern collector figures can cost thousands mint-on-card.
The Toy Collector’s Guide lists several loose 1978 figures in approachable ranges, including Hammerhead at $25 to $40 and Luke X-Wing at $30 to $45.
Collectors look for original weapons, tight limbs, strong paint, and no repro accessories. Missing blasters keep prices friendly.