A high-interest article showcasing the rarest and most expensive figures like the Vinyl Cape Jawa and Rocket-Firing Boba Fett, with current market value estimates
In the world of toy collecting, few franchises command the same level of passion, nostalgia, and astronomical value as vintage Star Wars. For those who grew up with these iconic 3.75-inch figures from Kenner, they were the keys to a galaxy far, far away. Today, they are cultural artifacts, with the rarest examples fetching prices that rival fine art and luxury cars.
This is a journey into the heart of the vintage Star Wars collecting hobby—a showcase of the absolute “holy grails.” These are not the figures you’d find rattling in a childhood toybox. They are the product of production anomalies, short runs, foreign exclusives, and legendary prototypes that have created a multi-million dollar market. From minuscule changes in accessories to unreleased legends, these are the 15 figures that make collectors’ hearts race and their wallets tremble.
(Note: Values are estimates based on recent high-grade, professionally graded (AFA/CAS) sales and can fluctuate based on condition, completeness, and market demand.)
1. Rocket-Firing Boba Fett (Prototype)
- Estimated Value: $500,000 – $1,300,000+
- The Legend: The undisputed king of all Star Wars collectibles. This Boba Fett figure, with its spring-loaded rocket-firing backpack, was advertised on card backs and intended as a mail-away promotion in 1979. However, amid growing safety concerns over projectile-firing toys causing choking hazards, Kenner pulled the plug before it ever went into mass production. Most of the existing prototypes were destroyed, leaving only a handful of authenticated examples in the world. Its mythical status and extreme rarity make it the ultimate prize. In 2024, one of these prototypes shattered records, selling for over $1.3 million.
2. Darth Vader with Double-Telescoping Lightsaber
- Estimated Value (Carded): $130,000+
- The Detail that Matters: When the first wave of Star Wars figures was produced in 1978, Luke Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Darth Vader were designed with a special lightsaber that extended twice from the hilt. This “double-telescoping” (DT) mechanism proved fragile and costly to produce. It was quickly replaced with a single-piece, non-telescoping saber. All DT figures are rare, but the Darth Vader version is the rarest of the three. A high-grade carded example fetched an astonishing $130,095 in 2025, making it one of the most expensive publicly sold figures.
3. Ben (Obi-Wan) Kenobi with Double-Telescoping Lightsaber
- Estimated Value (Carded): $105,000+
- The Jedi Master’s Rarity: Like his dark side counterpart, Obi-Wan Kenobi was part of the initial “double-telescoping” lightsaber run. While slightly more common than the Vader DT, it remains an incredibly rare and sought-after piece. Finding one still sealed on its original 12-back card is a collector’s dream. A professionally graded example sold at auction for a staggering $105,000 in early 2025, cementing its place in the top tier of collectibles.
4. Luke Skywalker with Double-Telescoping Lightsaber
- Estimated Value (Carded): $30,000 – $85,000+
- The Hero’s First Weapon: The most “common” of the three double-telescoping figures, the original farm boy Luke Skywalker is still a titan of the collecting world. His DT saber was also quickly phased out, and the scarcity of this initial version drives its high price. High-grade, carded examples can easily command tens of thousands of dollars, with one selling for over $84,000.
5. Vinyl Cape Jawa
- Estimated Value (Carded): $30,000+
- A Simple Wardrobe Change: This is a classic case of a minor production change creating a massive collectible. When the Jawa figure was first released in 1978, it came with a thin, heat-sealed vinyl cape, similar to the ones on Darth Vader and Obi-Wan. Kenner quickly decided a cloth robe looked more premium and better matched the character’s on-screen appearance. The vinyl cape version was discontinued after a very short run, making it exceptionally rare. A high-grade, carded example sold for $30,000, while even loose, graded examples can fetch nearly $5,000.
6. General Madine (Tri-Logo Card)
- Estimated Value (Carded): $37,500
- The Foreign Rarity: General Crix Madine, a Rebel hero from Return of the Jedi, is not a particularly rare figure on his American card back. However, on the European “Tri-Logo” card (featuring three logos: Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi), he is exceptionally scarce. It is believed that very few were produced and distributed this way, making a high-grade, sealed example an extreme rarity that commanded an impressive $37,500 at a 2024 auction.
7. Bib Fortuna (Red Cape Prototype)
- Estimated Value (Loose, Graded): $31,200
- Jabba’s Major-Domo in a Different Hue: The production figure of Bib Fortuna came with a brown cape. However, early prototypes of the figure were created with a striking red cape. These were never released to the public, making them prototype pieces that are incredibly difficult to find. An authenticated, graded example of this pre-production figure sold for a remarkable $31,200.
8. Vlix (from Droids line)
- Estimated Value (Carded): $6,000 – $15,000+
- The Cartoon Character Who Became a Legend: Vlix was a character from the mid-1980s animated series Star Wars: Droids. Kenner planned a second series of action figures from the show, including Vlix. However, the toy line was canceled in the United States before the second series could be released. The molds were sent to the Brazilian toy company Glasslite, which produced a very limited run of the Vlix figure. Its scarcity and unique backstory make it one of the most sought-after figures from the later Kenner era.
9. Yak Face (Power of the Force)
- Estimated Value (Carded): $6,000 – $12,000+
- The Last of the Kenner Line: Yak Face (real name Saelt-Marae) was one of the final figures in Kenner’s original Power of the Force line in 1985. As interest in Star Wars toys was waning at the time, the figure was never released in the United States. It was only distributed in Canada and parts of Europe, making it a must-have for collectors trying to complete their original Kenner run. A loose, complete figure can sell for over $1,000, while a carded one can soar past $10,000.
10. Blue Snaggletooth (Sears Exclusive)
- Estimated Value (Loose, Complete): $1,500 – $2,500+
- A Case of Mistaken Identity: In 1978, Sears offered an exclusive “Cantina Adventure Set” playset. When creating the Snaggletooth figure for this set, Kenner only had a black-and-white, head-and-shoulders photo to work from. Based on this limited information, they produced a tall figure with a blue jumpsuit. When the character appeared in the movie, he was short and wore a red suit. Kenner quickly corrected the error for the wide release, making the tall, “Blue Snaggletooth” an iconic and valuable variation.
11. Han Solo (Small Head Variant)
- Estimated Value (Carded): $2,000 – $4,000+
- A Sculpting Anomaly: The very first version of the Han Solo action figure featured a head sculpt that was slightly smaller and less detailed than later releases. Kenner later resculpted the head to be more proportional and screen-accurate. This initial “small head” or “peanut head” version was only available on the earliest 12-back cards, and high-grade examples are highly prized by collectors.
12. Luke Skywalker (Battle Poncho)
- Estimated Value (Carded): $2,970+
- Endor’s Elusive Hero: Part of the 1985 Power of the Force line, this version of Luke in his Endor poncho was one of the last figures produced. Like Yak Face, its late release and lower production numbers make it significantly harder to find than figures from the film’s peak popularity.
13. Chewbacca (First 12-Back)
- Estimated Value (Carded): $3,000+
- The Original Wookiee: As one of the original 12 figures released in 1978, a high-grade Chewbacca on his first “12-back” card is a cornerstone of any serious vintage collection. While not as rare as some of the production errors, its iconic status and the difficulty of finding a pristine, unpunched card keep its value consistently high.
14. Princess Leia Organa (First 12-Back)
- Estimated Value (Carded): $1,700+
- The Rebel Leader’s Debut: Like Chewbacca, the original Princess Leia figure is a vital part of the first wave of Kenner toys. Finding a flawless example on a 12-back card, with a clear bubble and unpunched peg hole, is a significant challenge and a valuable addition to any collection.
15. Royal Guard (Return of the Jedi)
- Estimated Value (Carded): $2,000+
- The Emperor’s Protector: While a visually striking figure, the Royal Guard’s value lies in its condition. Released during the Return of the Jedi era, it’s not exceptionally rare, but finding a perfectly preserved, high-grade carded example is what drives the price into the thousands. A recent sale in 2025 demonstrated the strong market for top-condition figures of this popular character.