The Most Valuable Star Wars Action Figures in History

Star Wars action figures have been popular collectibles since the first line of toys was released along with the original Star Wars film in 1977. Over the decades, certain vintage Star Wars action figures have become extremely rare and valuable among collectors.

This article will explore the most expensive and valuable Star Wars action figures to ever be sold.

The most valuable Star Wars action figure ever sold was a rare rocket-firing Boba Fett prototype that sold at auction in 2019 for $185,000.

Early Bird Certificate Package

The Early Bird Certificate Package is one of the holy grails for vintage Star Wars collectors. It was a mail-away promotion item that allowed fans to order the first four action figures before they hit stores in 1977.

The package included cardboard display stands for Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, R2-D2, and Chewbacca figures that would be shipped once they were released.

Only around 100 Early Bird Certificates are believed to still exist, making them extremely rare. In 2020, an unopened Early Bird Certificate sold at auction for $112,926.

Double-Telescoping Luke Skywalker

The very first Luke Skywalker action figures had a retractable lightsaber made of two telescoping metal pieces that slide together.

This double-telescoping mechanism was later changed to a single-telescoping lightsaber to reduce costs.

But the rare double-telescoping Luke figures are the most valuable versions for collectors. One sold in 2018 for $65,000 at auction. Only around 100 or so are believed to still exist.

Double-Telescoping Darth Vader

Like Luke Skywalker, the first Darth Vader figures also had double-telescoping lightsabers before transitioning to single-telescoping.

Double-telescoping Darth Vader figures are just as rare and fetch huge prices at auction. One sold for $55,000 in 2016. These early production run Vaders with slightly different sculpts are the most sought after by collectors.

Vinyl-Cape Jawa

One of the rarest and most obscure Star Wars collectibles is the vinyl-cape Jawa figure. When the first line of Star Wars figures was released, the Jawa came with a vinyl cape.

But this material proved too stiff and hard to work with, so later Jawa figures had cloth capes. Any vintage vinyl-cape Jawa figure is incredibly rare. One in mint condition sold for $35,000 in 2019.

Rocket-Firing Boba Fett Prototype

The rocket-firing Boba Fett is the holy grail of Star Wars collecting. The original 1970s prototypes for Boba Fett featured a backpack that actually fired a small rocket.

But the firing feature was deemed too dangerous for a child's toy, so it was never put into production. Only a handful of rocket-firing Fett prototypes are known to exist. One sold at auction in 2019 for a record-setting $185,000.

Unpunched Trilogo and Double-Telescoping Figures

High demand for the first Star Wars figures in 1977 resulted in some being shipped to stores still attached to their factory card backs to save time.

These unpunched cards with the original "trilogy" Star Wars logo are incredibly rare for figures like Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, Ben Kenobi, and more. Unpunched double-telescoping figures still attached to their cards can fetch astronomical prices at auction of $200,000 or more.

Glasslite Proof Cards

Glasslite was the photography studio that produced the original packaging artwork for Kenner's Star Wars action figures. Occasionally, Glasslite would mail out complete sets of these proof cards in a white envelope to get Kenner's approval before full production.

These proof card sets feature the earliest version of the cardbacks. Only a few complete sets are known to exist, and can sell for over $100,000.

Anakin Skywalker

One of the rarest modern Star Wars figures is Anakin Skywalker from the Power of the Jedi line. This Anakin figure was released internationally but not in the U.S. due to licensing issues.

As a result, it was scarce and desirable among collectors when it eventually made its way to the States. Mint, carded examples have sold for $25,000 to $30,000 at auction. Even loose, this Anakin can still fetch thousands.

Yak Face

An infamous rare Star Wars action figure is Yak Face from the vintage Return of the Jedi waves. This alien named Saelt-Marae was only briefly seen in Jabba's Palace, making his action figure short-packed and hard to find.

Minted boxed versions of Yak Face can sell for $10,000 or more depending on condition. Even loose figures command premium prices of several hundred dollars or more.

Micro-Collection Figures

The Kenner Star Wars Micro-Collection line consisted of miniature die-cast metal figures that were sold in 2-packs from 1982-1983. They were made at a 1:18 scale and offered highly detailed sculpts for their tiny size, measuring just 1-2 inches tall.

The line included beloved characters from the original Star Wars trilogy like Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, C-3PO, and more.

Certain Micro-Collection figures like the Jawa with cloth cloak are extraordinarily rare. This tiny figure has sold for over $2,000 loose and up to $6,000 mint on card. Other high value Micro-Collection packs include the gold C-3PO & R2-D2 and Yoda & Ben Kenobi pairs.

Still sealed 2-packs can fetch anywhere from $1,000 to $4,000 at auction depending on which character pairing is inside. Even loose, these miniature die-cast figures sell for hundreds of dollars apiece due to their delicate, premium sculpts.

Power of the Force Coin Figures

In 1985, Kenner released a unique line of Power of the Force action figures in conjunction with Coca-Cola. Specially marked cans and bottles of Coke came with collectors coins that could be redeemed via mail-in for exclusive figures.

The Coca-Cola promotion resulted in unique carded Power of the Force coin figures for Luke Skywalker, R2-D2, C-3PO, and others.

These coin figures had distinctive sculpts and poses seen only in this mail-away promotion. Finding mint on their Coca-Cola cardbacks is nearly impossible. A carded Power of the Force coin Lukes Skywalker sold for $11,000 in 2019.

Even loose examples command prices in the thousands. The mail-in aspect and short order window makes finding these figures in any condition a challenge. Sealed carded versions are the pinnacle for collectors.

AFA Graded Figures

The Action Figure Authority (AFA) is a leading professional grading service for toys, similar to grading companies for comic books and trading cards. AFA authenticates action figures and assigns numeric condition grades based on a 10-point scale.

High graded vintage Star Wars figures encapsulated in AFA cases command significant premiums due to this credible third-party condition verification.

For example, an AFA 85 grade Rocket Firing Boba Fett sold for over $200,000 in 2019. A 90 grade Early Bird Certificate Package brought nearly $50,000 in 2018.

Even more common figures like a POTF vinyl-cape Jawa in AFA 85 grade can sell for $10,000. Professional grading demonstrates to buyers that the figures are genuine and have been preserved in the best condition possible.

Revenge of the Sith Concept Figures

In 2005, Hasbro planned a line of action figures based on concept art designs for Revenge of the Sith. Photos of this never-released concept figure line were leaked online, showcasing characters like Obi-Wan, Vader, Sidious, and more. The futuristic aesthetics were a radical departure from traditional Star Wars designs.

This tantalizing leak stirred intrigue and massive demand from collectors. In response, Hasbro produced very limited quantities of the concept figures as San Diego Comic-Con exclusives in 2006, likely less than 10 figures each.

These grail-level pieces were chased by collectors and now command staggering prices. A carded concept Darth Vader sold for $17,000 in 2020. Even loose, figures like concept Obi-Wan and Sidious sell for $5,000 to $10,000. Their exclusivity and mythology fuel value.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes vintage Star Wars action figures so valuable?

The main factors are rarity and high demand. Many vintage figures were short-packed, had production variations, or were pulled from shelves early, making them very hard to find today. Plus huge nostalgia for the original Star Wars fuels demand from collectors willing to pay top dollar.

Are newer Star Wars figures from the prequels also valuable?

So far, no modern Star Wars figures have reached the collectibility status of most vintage original trilogy toys. But certain limited edition and exclusive figures can still be worth hundreds or thousands of dollars. More recent toys may grow in value over time.

Where is the best place to buy and sell valuable Star Wars figures?

Auction houses like Heritage Auctions are popular for buying and selling rare, investment-grade action figures. eBay is another common marketplace, but buyers and sellers must beware of counterfeits. Collector forums and discussion groups can also help connect serious collectors together.

How can you verify the authenticity and condition of a rare figure?

It takes experience and comparisons with known genuine examples. Close examination under bright light can reveal paint, molding, and copyright details that fakes often miss. Take clear photos from all angles. Provenance from past owners is also a plus. Professional grading from services like Wata Games provides condition verification.

What resources can help determine the fair market value and price for a rare Star Wars figure?

Sales at major auction houses give a sense of real-world market values. Price guide books like Tomart's Action Figure Digest can provide historical price ranges. But the community of experienced Star Wars collectors is the best resource for appraising and valuing rare pieces.

This article explored the most significant, valuable, and expensive Star Wars action figures ever sold.

Iconic vintage pieces like rocket-firing Boba Fett prototypes and scarce production variants like vinyl-cape Jawa can fetch huge sums at auction. Even modern exclusive figures are commanding high prices. These Star Wars toys represent some of the most sought-after pop culture collectibles among fans and investors alike.

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