14 of the Most Valuable LEGO Sets You Might Have at Home

Over the last few years, we’ve seen many childhood toys—such as My Little Pony and G.I. Joe—go for loads of cash on auction and resale sites. Heck, even an old cassette collection could net you some good cheddar.

As such, people looking to make money could do worse than investing in LEGO. The Danish building bricks brand has been a staple of creativity and joy for children all over the world since the bricks first hit the market in the late 1940s. A 2018 study even found that buying new LEGO sets to sell later yielded greater returns than stocks, bonds, or gold.

If you’re a kid from the ‘80s, ‘90s, or early 2000s, you might be sitting on a small fortune, especially if the sets are in good and unopened condition. Some products (e.g. anything with the name Star Wars on the box) are more likely to multiply in value than others, but if collectors want to know if their old toys are worth cash, they should start by looking at the most valuable LEGO sets from the last 35 years outlined below.

Star Wars Cloud City (2003) // $12,000

The LEGO Star Wars Cloud City (10123) set contains nearly 700 pieces and seven mini-figures—including Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Lando Calrissian, and others—from The Empire Strikes Back. When it was released back in 2003, the set retailed for about $100, but now can go for as much as $12,000 on eBay. It has about a 16.7 percent annual growth rate, according to BrickEconomy.com, for a new and unopened item. In recent months, complete versions have sold for anywhere from $2500 to $9000 on eBay.

And as Lando Calrissian would say, it seems like it’s an investment that “truly belongs here with us among the clouds.”

Skull’s Eye Schooner (1993) // $7080

Set sail for the seven seas with the LEGO Pirates Skull’s Eye Schooner (6286) set, which was first released in 1993. A complete version features a large pirate clipper ship, a rowboat, nine pirate mini-figures, and three animal pieces.

Although it retailed for just $126.50 upon release, an unopened and sealed set can go for up to $6500 on resale sites, with an average gain of nearly 9 percent year-over-year (YOY). We found a set, which includes over 900 pieces, priced at $7079.99 on eBay, but in recent months it’s sold for anywhere from $500 to nearly $3000.

Fire Engine (2023) // $7000

Created by LEGO Design Master Henrik Andersen in 2023, the Fire Engine (4000040) was intended as part of a special VIP experience at the company’s headquarters in Billund, Denmark. It has more than 1000 pieces and, once built, it resembles a red 1940s Danish wooden fire truck.

Because it’s rare (only about 300 sets were ever made, and 60 were numbered by hand), its value is estimated at anywhere from $6200 to approximately $7000, according to BrickEconomy.com. There’s a seller who has an autographed and hand-numbered set (#11 of 60 to be exact) priced for about $7000 on eBay.

Black Seas Barracuda (1989) // $5000

Renowned LEGO designer Niels Milan Pedersen was behind the much-coveted Black Seas Barracuda (6285) set, which retailed for $110 back in 1989. It was the first set in the Legoland Pirate System from the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, and was so popular that the brand re-released the set as the Pirate Ship “Dark Shark” in 2002.

However, if you come across an original sealed set, it’s estimated to be worth upwards of $5000. There’s a seller on eBay who has an unopened set available for that amount, while open-box, assembled versions typically go for between $300 to $500 on the site.

Fun fact: There are two versions of the LEGO Pirates Black Seas Barracuda. The European edition of the set came with four cannons that fired cannonballs, while the cannons on the American version didn’t fire projectiles due to safety concerns. 

Modular Factory Market Street (2007) // $5000

As part of the Creator Expert theme set during the 2007 LEGO Inside Tour, the Modular Factory Market Street (10190) is hard to come by—especially if you’re looking for an unopened set. It features nearly 1250 pieces and three mini-figures that make up a four-story building and next-door market.

According to BrickEconomy.com, the set is estimated to be valued at about $3000. You can find versions on eBay going for upwards of $5000, but most sealed versions go for $2000.

Airport Shuttle Monorail (1990) // $4200

Who would’ve thought a trip to the airport would be so valuable? The LEGO Airport Shuttle Monorail (6399), also known as Lego International Shuttle, is an electronic set that features nearly 770 pieces and nine mini-figures of airport workers and passengers. As its centerpiece, you’ll find its red double-car monorail shuttle that actually zipped around the track, thanks to its 9V engine.

It retailed for $140 when it was released in 1990, but you can find sets going for around $4000 to $5100. We found an unopened set priced at $4200 on eBay, which isn’t too shabby.

Star Wars Death Star II (2005) // $3250

It’s not a trap! Released in September 2005, the LEGO Star Wars Death Star II (10143) from Return of the Jedi is a massive set. It originally retailed for $270 and includes the space station itself, a super laser beam, and an Imperial command cruiser with more than 3400 pieces. If you can find an unopened and sealed set, it can go for as much as $5000. However, we spotted a complete set going for $3250 on eBay, and many other sealed versions range from $1000 to $3000 on the site.

Cafe Corner (2007) // $2800

In 2007, LEGO released the Street collection, which featured eight separate sets of buildings you would find on a city block, such as a pet shop, firehouse, and movie theater. The Cafe Corner set (10182) in this collection, featuring a little over 2000 pieces, sold for around $140 upon its release. On the open market, it can fetch up to $3000 if it’s in sealed and like-new condition, and many assembled versions sell for well under $1000.

Grand Carousel (2009) // $2200

With 3263 pieces, nine mini-figures, and a motorized, rotating platform, the Grand Carousel (10196) is one of the more impressive sets ever released by the LEGO company. The set debuted at $250 in 2009 and was discontinued roughly a year later, and its limited availability drove up its value. It’s prized by collectors, and BrickEconomy.com estimates it can earn about $2200 on the open market. If you happen to still have a sealed version, you can expect to net anywhere from $1200 to $2700 for it.

Message Intercept Base Space Series (1988) // $2000

Also known as the LEGO Blacktron Star Base in the United Kingdom, the Message Intercept Base Space Series set has an estimated value of $2063, if you can find one that’s unopened and in good condition. We found a sealed set going for $2000 on eBay, while others can range upwards of $2700. It originally sold for just $60 when it was first released in 1988, and the set features nearly 570 pieces, including five mini-figures of Blacktron astronauts.

Star Wars Ultimate Collector’s Millennium Falcon (2007) // $1889

When it was released in 2007, the LEGO Star Wars Millennium Falcon (10179) had a retail price of $500, which was pretty steep for average collectors. Inside of a complete box, you’ll find nearly 5200 pieces and five mini-figures of Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, Chewbacca, and Obi-Wan Kenobi.

According to BrickEconomy.com, it has an annual growth rate of about 6 percent in terms of value, and it’s worth around $2400. We spotted a new and sealed set for $1889 on eBay, while others have earned between $1100 to $2700 on the site.

Eiffel Tower (2007) // $1300

This 1:300-scale Eiffel Tower set (10181) from LEGO stands more than 4 feet high when assembled, making it one of the tallest LEGO sets ever made. The toy maker released the set in 2007 for $200, and while other Eiffel Tower LEGO models have been manufactured since then, none can compare to this stately structure. Currently, this set is valued at around $1300, but you can find complete versions still in the box for between $400 to $600 on eBay.

Taj Mahal (2008) // $900

The 5922-piece Taj Mahal (10189) broke the record for most LEGO pieces per set when it debuted in 2008. That record has since been toppled, but the Taj Mahal is still legendary among LEGO collectors.

It originally sold from LEGO for $300, and today buyers are willing to spend thousands on the classic set—BrickEconomy.com estimates that it can be worth as much as $900, although some sellers may price it up to nearly $1700. In recent months, most models have been selling for approximately $500.

Hogwarts Castle (2018) // $470

LEGO delighted Harry Potter fans when it released a detailed replica of Hogwarts Castle (71043) in 2018. The set, which has over 6000 pieces, is a masterpiece of interlocking brick architecture. All of the building features that fans remember from the films—including the chamber, towers, classrooms, and even the Whomping Willow—are recreated in the toy model.

This set originally retailed for $470, and it's still worth roughly that much on the resale market. It's slated to retire later in 2024, which could mean it becomes more valuable over time. Over on eBay, you can expect it to sell for between $100 to $400, depending on the condition.

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A version of this story was originally published in 2019 and has been updated for 2024.