The Holy Grails of Star Wars Collecting: Jeff Jacob’s Top 10 Auction Sales

Collectors, brace yourselves—one of the most legendary Star Wars action figure collections ever assembled is hitting the auction block! Jeff Jacob, a titan in the toy-collecting world, has spent decades amassing one of the most comprehensive and well-preserved Star Wars memorabilia collections in existence. From ultra-rare production figures to exclusive limited-run collectibles, his collection is a testament to the passion and dedication of serious toy collectors. Now, through Hake’s Auctions, this once-in-a-lifetime collection is being made available to collectors worldwide. The results have been nothing short of spectacular, with some of the most sought-after figures fetching jaw-dropping prices. Each item in this auction tells a unique story about the history of Star Wars merchandising and its profound impact on pop culture. Let’s break down the top 10 highest-selling items and explore why they matter!

10. STAR WARS (1979) - HERO SET 3-PACK SERIES 2 AFA 85 NM+

Sold for: $18,691.20
The three-pack sets released by Kenner were a unique way for the company to market multiple figures at once. The Hero Set 3-Pack Series 2, featuring X-Wing Pilot, Ben Kenobi, and Han Solo, is a gem among collectors. The figures inside are identical to their single-carded versions, but the unique packaging makes these sets highly desirable. High-grade examples are incredibly rare, making this near-mint+ set a must-have. Additionally, the fact that this set remains factory-sealed adds to its appeal, as many were opened upon purchase.

9. STAR WARS: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK (1982) - 4-LOM 48 BACK-A AFA 60 Y-EX

Sold for: $18,892.39
One of the rarest Kenner Star Wars production figures, the 4-LOM 48 Back-A is nearly impossible to find. Only four graded examples exist, making this figure highly sought after. Its limited production run led to it being swiftly replaced, ensuring its rarity in the collector’s market. The figure’s extreme scarcity drives its value up considerably.

8. STAR WARS: THE POWER OF THE FORCE (1985) - NIKTO 92 (WAROK COIN) BACK AFA 85 Y-NM+

Sold for: $19,325.77
This Australian-exclusive Nikto figure with a Warok coin is the highest-graded example known. The Power of the Force (POTF) series was produced in small quantities, making high-grade versions even more difficult to find. The inclusion of the Warok coin makes this figure particularly interesting, as Kenner experimented with different character-coin pairings.

7. STAR WARS: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK (1982) - BOBA FETT 48 BACK-C AFA 85 NM+

Sold for: $27,258.00
Boba Fett’s popularity has made his figures some of the most desirable in the hobby. This 48 Back-C version, graded AFA 85 NM+, is the highest-graded known. Fett’s continued cultural relevance keeps his collectibles at peak demand. This particular version features artwork of the character on his Empire Strikes Back card, which has a slight variation in the blaster artwork compared to earlier releases, making it a sought-after variant.

6. STAR WARS (1978) - CANTINA ADVENTURE SET AFA 85 NM+(SEARS EXCLUSIVE, NONE HIGHER IN POP)

Sold for: $27,258.00
This Sears-exclusive playset featured Greedo, Hammerhead, Walrus Man, and Snaggletooth—most notably the rare blue Snaggletooth variant. Finding a complete, high-grade version of this set is a challenge, making this sale price understandable. The blue Snaggletooth was a mistake by Kenner’s design team, originally created taller with silver boots before being corrected to a smaller, screen-accurate version in later releases.

5. STAR WARS (1978) - EARLY BIRD MAIL-AWAY KIT

Sold for: $32,450.00
This Early Bird Kit marked the beginning of Star Wars toy collecting history. With a Double-Telescoping Luke, Leia, Chewbacca, and R2-D2, this high-grade mail-away set is a pivotal piece for any collector. Kenner’s innovative marketing move ensured Star Wars toys became a phenomenon, making this kit one of the most important vintage items in the franchise. This set also includes the original Early Bird Certificate, which kids mailed in to receive their figures, a crucial element that adds value to the set.

4. STAR WARS (1978) - ARTOO-DETOO (R2-D2) 12 BACK-A AFA 85 NM+

Sold for: $38,940.00
This R2-D2 12 Back-A is notable for its dark blue dome and SKU on the footer, a detail distinguishing it from other variations. The figure remains a cornerstone in Star Wars collecting, and its AFA 85 NM+ grade ensures its long-term investment potential. The “12 Back” refers to the first wave of Star Wars figures released, which featured only 12 characters on the card back, further increasing its rarity and desirability.

3. TRANSFORMERS (1984) SERIES 1 - MEGATRON AFA 80 NM

Sold for: $41,301.18
A surprise entry on this list, this Megatron figure from the original 1984 Transformers line proves that 80s toy nostalgia isn’t limited to Star Wars. Graded AFA 80 NM, its presence in this auction signals the growing demand for Transformers collectibles. This Megatron figure retains its original gun mode transformation, a feature later altered due to safety concerns. Its high-grade packaging makes it even more valuable, as many Megatron figures suffered wear from the weight of the metal components inside.

2. STAR WARS: THE POWER OF THE FORCE (1984) - COIN SET (62) AFA 85 NM+

Sold for: $41,536.00
This complete 62-coin set from the Power of the Force line is a grail piece for Star Wars collectors. Kenner introduced the collectible coins as an extra incentive, and finding the entire graded set in AFA 85 NM+ condition is exceedingly rare. The set includes coins representing every Star Wars character released in the POTF line, with some coins being significantly rarer than others due to low distribution numbers.

1. STAR WARS (1978) - BEN (OBI-WAN) KENOBI 12 BACK-A AFA 85 NM+

Sold for: $105,182.13
The highlight of the auction, this Double-Telescoping Ben Kenobi figure, is one of the most valuable production Star Wars figures ever sold. With only two graded at this level, its scarcity, combined with its pristine condition, drove the final price over $100,000. The Double-Telescoping feature, referring to a lightsaber that extends in two parts, was quickly phased out, making this an exceedingly rare early production run figure.

Final Thoughts

Jeff Jacob’s collection is truly legendary, and the results from this auction prove that Star Wars collectibles continue to command top dollar. What sets this collection apart is not just the rarity of the items but their pristine condition, historical significance, and connection to a franchise that has captivated generations of fans. Vintage Star Wars toys remain one of the most stable and sought-after collectibles in the market, with values continuing to rise as nostalgia fuels demand.

The sale of these top 10 items highlights the strength of the collectibles market, where pop culture artifacts from decades past still hold incredible value. For longtime collectors, these auctions provide an opportunity to secure pieces of history, while for newer fans, they serve as a gateway into the fascinating world of toy collecting. Whether it's a rare production figure, an exclusive prototype, or a limited-edition release, Star Wars memorabilia continues to be a powerful force in the world of collectibles.

With the auction results setting new benchmarks, one thing is certain: the demand for high-grade Star Wars toys isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Whether you’re a lifelong collector or just beginning your journey into the world of Star Wars memorabilia, these results serve as a reminder that the Force remains strong with vintage Star Wars toys!