Since the release of Star Wars in 1977, the franchise has become one of the most successful merchandising phenomena in history. What began as a handful of action figures and toys quickly grew into thousands of collectable products spanning more than four decades. Today, original vintage Star Wars items are highly sought after by collectors worldwide, with the rarest examples selling for thousands—and sometimes even hundreds of thousands—of dollars.

Whether you’ve discovered an old box of toys in the attic or are looking to start collecting, here’s how to identify the most desirable vintage Star Wars collectables.

1. Focus on the Original Trilogy (1977–1985)

For most collectors, the most valuable Star Wars collectables come from the original trilogy:

Star Wars (1977)
The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Return of the Jedi (1983)

Merchandise produced during this period—particularly by Kenner—is generally considered the “golden age” of Star Wars collecting.

Items produced after the mid-1980s can still be collectable but are generally more common.

Star Wars Vintage Figure - Lando Calrissian - 1980 — Star Wars Vintage Figure – Lando Calrissian – 1980

2. Look for Kenner Branding

The name Kenner is one of the first things collectors look for.

Kenner held the original toy licence in the United States and produced:

3¾-inch action figures
Vehicles
Playsets
Creature toys
Collector cases

If you find an item marked:

Kenner Products

there’s a good chance you’ve found an original vintage piece.

UK releases often carry the Palitoy name, while Australian toys were commonly imported through local distributors.

3. Check the Date

One of the easiest ways to identify older Star Wars toys is by the copyright date.

Common dates include:

These dates are usually moulded into the toy itself, often on:

the back of action figures
underneath vehicles
inside playsets
bases of accessories

Remember that the copyright date isn’t always the exact manufacturing year, but it’s an excellent indicator.

4. The Famous “Early Bird Certificate Package”

One of the most famous Star Wars collectables isn’t actually a toy.

When demand exceeded production in 1977, Kenner sold an Early Bird Certificate Package.

Instead of receiving figures immediately, children received:

a display stand
collector’s membership card
stickers
certificate promising figures later

Complete Early Bird sets are now among the most valuable Star Wars collectables.

5. Carded Figures Are Worth More

Collectors use the term:

MOC (Mint on Card)

This means an action figure remains factory sealed on its original backing card.

Original unopened figures command substantial premiums.

Collectors examine:

bubble condition
card corners
colours
fading
creases
price stickers

Even empty backing cards are collectable if they’re rare variations.

6. Understand Card Variations

Many collectors specialise purely in card backs.

Early releases include:

12 Back
20 Back
21 Back
31 Back
41 Back
65 Back
77 Back

The number refers to how many figures are illustrated on the reverse.

Generally speaking:

lower numbers = earlier releases
earlier releases = higher collector demand

7. Original Accessories Matter

A loose figure with its original accessories can be worth many times more than one without them.

Look for:

lightsabers
capes
blasters
backpacks
helmets
coins (Power of the Force line)

Even tiny accessories can dramatically affect value.

8. Learn the Famous Rare Variants

Some Star Wars toys became legendary because of production changes.

Examples include:

Vinyl Cape Jawa

Early Jawas were produced with a vinyl cape before switching to cloth.

Authentic examples are worth significantly more.

Blue Snaggletooth

One of the rarest production mistakes.

Originally produced too tall and wearing blue.

Later replaced by the correct smaller red version.

Double Telescoping Lightsabers

Some Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader and Obi-Wan figures were produced with extending lightsabers.

These are among the holy grails of Star Wars collecting.

Rocket-Firing Boba Fett

Although never commercially released, prototype versions became legendary.

Original prototypes have sold for extraordinary prices.

9. Don’t Ignore Vehicles

Many collectors focus solely on action figures.

However, vintage vehicles are increasingly desirable.

Examples include:

Millennium Falcon
X-Wing Fighter
TIE Fighter
AT-AT Walker
Snowspeeder
Landspeeder
Slave I

Complete examples with:

instructions
inserts
boxes
unused stickers

are especially valuable.

10. Boxes Can Double the Value

Original packaging often makes the difference between an average collectable and a premium one.

Collectors look for:

colourful artwork
original inserts
instruction sheets
mail-away offers
catalogues

Even empty boxes are collectable.

11. Movie Posters and Promotional Items

Vintage Star Wars advertising has become a collecting category of its own.

12. Foreign Releases Can Be Extremely Valuable

Some overseas releases had much smaller production runs.

Examples include:

Palitoy (UK)
Meccano (France)
Harbert (Italy)
Takara (Japan)
Glasslite (Brazil)
Toltoys (Australia)

Australian Toltoys figures and accessories are particularly sought after due to their relatively limited distribution and distinctive packaging.

13. Beware of Reproductions

As values have increased, reproduction parts have become common.

Watch for:

reproduction weapons
replacement capes
modern stickers
replica boxes
repainted figures

Always compare suspect items with authenticated examples and buy from reputable dealers whenever possible.

14. Condition Is Everything

Collectors generally grade items as:

Mint
Near Mint
Excellent
Very Good
Good
Fair
Poor

Common issues include:

paint wear
yellowing plastic
broken limbs
cracked bubbles
faded cards
missing accessories

The better the condition, the stronger the value.

15. Some of the Most Collectable Star Wars Items

Keep an eye out for:

1977 Kenner action figures
Early Bird Certificate Package
Vinyl Cape Jawa
Blue Snaggletooth
Double Telescoping Lightsaber figures
Original Millennium Falcon
Carded 12 Back figures
Palitoy releases
Toltoys Australian releases
Original cinema posters
Dealer shop displays
Star Wars board games
Vintage lunchboxes
Die-cast vehicles
Topps trading cards

Final Thoughts

Vintage Star Wars collectables continue to enjoy enormous popularity with collectors around the world. While modern merchandise is produced in vast numbers, the toys and memorabilia from the original trilogy represent a unique moment in collecting history. Their combination of nostalgia, limited survival rates, and global fan appeal has made them some of the most desirable pop culture collectables ever produced.

If you’re fortunate enough to come across an old Star Wars collection at a garage sale, estate sale, or in the family attic, take the time to examine it carefully. Original packaging, complete accessories, and early production variations can transform an ordinary toy into a highly valuable collector’s item.

At Bygone Relics, we regularly buy, sell, and value vintage Star Wars collectables, from original Kenner figures and rare Australian Toltoys releases to classic board games, posters, and movie memorabilia. Whether you’re looking to identify a treasured childhood toy or build your own collection, understanding the details is the first step towards discovering the true value of these iconic pieces of pop culture history.