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

Why some Lego sets are literally worth their weight in gold.

By Stacy Garrels

Edited by Sara Albertelli

Updated Jan. 14, 2026

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.

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Lego Fire Engine

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.

One hand-numbered set (#11 of 60) is currently selling for $7,999 on eBay.

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Lego Dark Forest Fortress

This 1996 Dark Forest Fortress (6079) set, designed for eight to 12-year-olds, is currently on sale for $2,174.99 on eBay. The brand-new set is factory-sealed.

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 a 6% annual growth in its value.

Lego Star Wars Cloud City

The market for Star Wars is hot. So hot, in fact, that a 2004 LEGO Star Wars Cloud City (10123) set is selling for $7,999 on eBay. There are others selling for more, and it may be able to fetch up to more than $15,000, according to Lego experts at BrickEconomy.

Even used sets can bring in up to $3,600.

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Lego Black Seas Barracuda

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 $19,089 on eBay.

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

Lego Cafe Corner Set

"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 set sold for about $3,200 on eBay.

Lego Star Wars Millennium Falcon

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 $766 according to BrickEconomy.

On eBay, a brand-new, sealed set sold for $3,999 not long ago.

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Lego Iron Man and Captain America

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 $2,586 to $9,741 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.

Lego Eiffel Tower

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 box is currently valued at $677, and a recent, new-in-box listing sold for $1,350.89 on eBay.

Lego Marina Bay Sands

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 $1,067 brand-new, which is great if you're looking to eliminate some money stress.

On eBay, a used set sold for $800.

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Lego Monorail Airport Shuttle

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 $4,356. A brand-new set is currently listed for $10,000 on eBay.

Bottom line

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.

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