Is it plausible that your two Star Wars Jawa action figures, made in 1978, carry a whopping price tag of £60,000? Dan Hatfield provides an answer.
In 1978, a child walked out of a toy store with two small plastic Jawa figures, unaware that one of them was about to become one of the rarest Star Wars toys ever made. The Palitoy vinyl-caped Jawa, produced by the UK distributor of Kenner toys, has become a highly sought-after collectible, with each figure in good condition estimated to be worth between £1,000 and £1,500.
The resale market for Star Wars toys is huge, and the value of a 1978 Star Wars Jawa figure with a vinyl cape from Palitoy in open (loose) condition is no exception. As of 2025, this figure is estimated to be around $4,995. This significant value is due to the rarity of the vinyl cape version, as most Jawa figures produced later had cloth capes.
While a mint, carded, high-grade vinyl cape Jawa has sold for as much as $30,000, the loose, graded version typically commands a price just under $5,000 on platforms like eBay. The significant difference underscores the premium placed on condition and packaging for vintage Star Wars figures.
Dan Hatfield, This is Money's expert valuer, points out that no specific pricing for open Palitoy versions was found separately, but since Palitoy was a regional distributor of Kenner toys in the UK, values should align closely with Kenner figures in similar condition. The $4,995 figure applies generally to loose vinyl cape Jawa figures from this era.
The Palitoy vinyl-caped Jawa is notoriously fragile, and the cape often went missing. This adds to the figure's rarity and collectibility. Fewer than 30 carded examples of the Palitoy vinyl-caped Jawa are known to exist worldwide today. The missing blaster accessory can also decrease the value of a Palitoy vinyl-caped Jawa.
The film studios initially thought the toy rights were a sideshow, but Lucas disagreed and kept them. This decision led to a marketing supernova, and Star Wars toys generated around $12 billion in total retail revenue by 2013. The Star Wars movie franchise is one of the most popular ever created, and the Palitoy vinyl-caped Jawa is no exception.
Opening the packaging of a Palitoy vinyl-caped Jawa can significantly decrease its value, making it crucial for collectors to keep their figures in original, sealed condition if they want to maximise their investment.
Dan Hatfield, who is also This Morning's money-making expert and resident pawnbroker, reminds collectors that the value of rare items like the Palitoy vinyl-caped Jawa can fluctuate based on market demand, condition, and rarity. He encourages collectors to research and seek professional advice before making any significant purchases or sales.
For those interested in learning more about making money, Hatfield's first non-fiction book, Money Maker: Unlock Your Money Making Potential, is available now.
[1] eBay auction data, 2025.
Investing in a Palitoy vinyl-caped Jawa figure from the Star Wars collection could potentially yield a substantial return, with its estimated value ranging from $4,995 to over $30,000 for mint, carded, high-grade versions. However, financial advice for collectors emphasizes the importance of researching and seeking professional advice before making any purchases, as the value can fluctuate based on factors like condition and rarity. Additionally, pop-culture items like this rare Star Wars toy can serve as unique investments and interesting additions to both personal collections and entertainment portfolios.
