Since 1999, one of The LEGO Group’s most popular and best-selling themes has been Star Wars. The license that helped pull LEGO out of near-bankruptcy has released hundreds of models, and new waves are released every year since. However, one set in particular stands out as the most valuable Star Wars LEGO model of all time.

All LEGO sets have a limited shelf life before they’re ultimately retired (usually 18–24 months on average). Once that happens, retired models can rocket in value on the secondary market depending on their rarity, minifigures, and more exclusive elements. Such is the case for one of the very first original trilogy models released back in 2003, the most valuable Star Wars LEGO set of all time.

Cloud City (10123) Is The Most Valuable Star Wars LEGO Set Of All Time

Depicting multiple scenes from The Empire Strikes Back, LEGO’s Cloud City (10123) was released in 2003, boasting 698 pieces with an original retail price of $99.99.

The set features seven minifigures: Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, Lando Calrissian, Boba Fett, and an Imperial Stormtrooper. Not only does the set feature a landing platform for Fett’s Firespray, but also the dining room, carbon freezing chamber, and finally the reactor shaft and catwalks where Vader reveals to Luke he’s his father.

While not the very first original trilogy model released by LEGO, Cloud City was the first scene-based model rather than one focused on vehicles. Likewise, this set was also the first to feature minifigures of Boba Fett and Lando Calrissian, both of whom are logically some of the most valuable Star Wars LEGO minifigures of all time.

While value on the secondary market is always in flux, Cloud City (1012) is currently worth over $8,180 for sealed copies and closer to $4,000 for used/opened models (per BrickEconomy). With a current annual growth rate of about 10.2%, it’s pretty remarkable how valuable this 2003 set has become over the last 22 years.

That said, it’s not hard to see why, given how unique the model is even by today’s standards. Cloud City (10123) has several of the most iconic characters and scenes from Empire Strikes Back all in one set, not to mention Boba Fett’s debut as a LEGO minifigure, one of the most popular Star Wars characters of all time (currently worth around $2,500 on his own).

Often viewed as the white whale of many Star Wars LEGO collectors, it’s hard to imagine any other model surpᴀssing this particular set’s value anytime soon.