10 Lego Sets Worth a Small Fortune (And They Aren't Even That Old)

Founded in Denmark in 1932, Lego is now a household name synonymous with tiny toy bricks and plastic tripping hazards. While you might be tempted to shove them all in the trash, don’t, as you may have a small fortune underfoot.

Studies show that buying new Lego sets can yield better returns than investing in gold, with top sets fetching thousands of dollars on eBay. According to BrickEconomy, here are some of the most valuable LEGO sets you can sell to make cash on the side from home.

Created in 2023 by Lego Design Master (yes, that’s a real job title) Henrik Andersen, the limited-edition Fire Engine set (4000040) is just over 1,000 pieces when assembled and resembles a red, 1940s-style Danish fire truck.

A seller recently sold their autographed, hand-numbered set (#19 of 60) for $4,750 on eBay.

This 1996 Dark Forest Fortress (6079) set, designed for 8 to 12-year-olds, sold for $1,195 earlier this year on eBay. The brand-new set was in near-mint condition with only a small corner ding.

The set comes with 464 pieces, including a woodland hideout, and might be a worthwhile investment if you can nab a set. According to BrickEconomy, this Lego set has seen over 11.40% annual growth in its value and has a strong future growth outlook for the next 2-3 years.

The market for Star Wars is hot. So hot, in fact, that a 2003 LEGO Star Wars Cloud City (10123) set recently sold for $7,500 on eBay. The backside of this unopened box set came with a blemish, otherwise, it may be able to fetch up to $12,000 according to Lego experts at BrickEconomy.

Even used sets can bring in $800. And just a couple of weeks ago, one seller made $200 for just the Cloud City instruction manual book only.

Everyone loves a good pirate-themed toy, right? Especially a black-and-white striped schooner with major Beetlejuice vibes. The 1989 Lego version, the Black Seas Barracuda set, is selling for $5,000 on eBay.

That price tag may be a bit of a stretch, but a complete pre-owned set recently fetched $1,600, so who knows?

“Going Dutch” is a lot more expensive than you might reckon, at least when it comes to the Lego Cafe Corner (10182). Released in 2007, it enjoyed a two-year run on shelves before being retired in 2009.

The 2,056-piece set is a coveted collector’s item. Recently, a brand-new, factory-sealed set sold for $3,100 on eBay.

No list of pricey Lego sets is complete without a nod to the Star Wars Millennium Falcon (10179) set. Released in 2007, this 5,197-piece set has an average used value of $1,277 according to BrickEconomy.

On eBay, a brand-new, sealed set sold for $1,899 earlier this month.

It’s not just bazillion-piece Lego sets that are worth major money. A free 2012 set of two Lego miniature figures, Iron Man and Captain America, is now worth $5,000 according to BrickEconomy — and that’s for a used set.

The rare toy set – only 125 kits were ever made — was given away to members of the press at the 2012 New York Toy Fair. A used set sold for $5,500 on eBay just a few months ago, proving to skeptical parents everywhere that you can make money with a degree in English.

Standing over four feet tall, the Eiffel Tower (10181) set is mammoth. It takes over 3,400 pieces and three booklets to assemble this popular 2007 kit.

A used box is currently valued at $351, and a recent, new-in-box listing sold for $800 on eBay. Can you imagine what a 2024 Olympic version would go for with miniature figures of Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg?

The Marina Bay Sands (21021) set is a limited-edition model that was released in 2013. Only 10,000 sets of this 602-piece kit were ever produced, as it was designed exclusively for its namesake gift shop and sold only at select retailers in Singapore and East Asia.

While the initial retail price was $75, today BrickEconomy estimates the Marina Bay Sands set to be worth $1,000 brand-new.

On eBay, a used set sold for $800 earlier this year.

Released in 1990, the Monorail Airport Shuttle (6399) set was called the “International Shuttle.” The 767-piece kit came with a 9V-powered double-car monorail.

BrickEconomy estimates the current value for a new, sealed set at $4,296. A brand-new set was listed on eBay earlier this month for $3,500 and sold to the best offer while a pre-owned set sold for $875 the month prior.

Lego sets are more than just childhood memories or adult hobbies. They’re plastic gold. Whether you’ve got an old set gathering dust in the attic or you see them set out at garage sales, buying and selling Lego kits, along with other old-school nostalgia, could be a fun, lucrative way to stretch your retirement dollars further.

There are other vintage (and not-so-vintage) items that could also bring in top dollar if you’re willing to be patient and keep your eyes peeled at thrift stores, or even in your own attic.