For the Star Wars purist, the "First 12" is the ultimate milestone. These twelve figures launched a revolution in 1978, appearing on the iconic "12-back" card designs that defined the toy industry. But as we move through 2026, the cost of owning those original Kenner gems has moved from "expensive hobby" to "financial impossibility."
The "Price of Nostalgia": 1978 vs. 2026
If you were to hunt for the original twelve figures today in Mint on Card (MOC) condition, you are looking at the price of a house deposit:
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The Legends: Original 12-back versions of Luke Skywalker or Darth Vader in high-grade condition regularly clear £10,000 – £15,000 at auction.
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The Holy Grails: A "Double-Telescoping" Ben Kenobi or a "Vinyl Cape" Jawa are now £25,000+ artifacts.
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The Total: A complete, high-quality set of original 1978 12-backs can easily cost £100,000.
Cost Comparison: 1978 Vintage vs. 2026 Vintage Collection
When you look at the "First 12" lineup, you are choosing between two very different philosophies: owning a piece of 1970s history or owning the best modern representation of that character. The price gap between the two is now wider than it has ever been.
By contrast, building this set via The Vintage Collection (TVC) gives you better articulation, "Photoreal" likenesses, and the same iconic silver-border card art for roughly £200 – £250 total. Here is the exact checklist you need to recreate the dream on a 2026 budget.
| Character | 1978 Kenner (MOC 12-Back) | 2026 TVC (Mint on Card) | Savings |
| Luke Skywalker | £8,000 - £12,000 | £16.95 (VC344) | £11,983 |
| Princess Leia | £5,000 - £7,500 | £16.95 (VC316) | £7,483 |
| Han Solo | £6,000 - £9,000 | £16.95 (VC372) | £8,983 |
| Chewbacca | £3,500 - £5,000 | £16.95 (VC381) | £4,983 |
| Darth Vader | £7,000 - £10,000 | £16.95 (VC344) | £9,983 |
| R2-D2 | £4,500 - £6,500 | £14.95 (VC149) | £6,485 |
| C-3PO | £3,000 - £4,500 | £29.95 (VC06) | £4,470 |
| Ben Kenobi | £8,000 - £15,000* | £16.95 (VC373) | £14,983 |
| Stormtrooper | £2,500 - £4,000 | £14.95 (VC231) | £3,985 |
| Jawa | £4,000 - £25,000** | £16.95 (VC161) | £24,983 |
| Tusken Raider | £2,500 - £3,500 | £16.95 (VC199) | £3,483 |
| Navy Commander | £2,000 - £3,000 | £14.95 (VC94) | £2,985 |
| TOTAL SET | £56,000 - £105,000+ | ~£200.00 | £104,800 |
The Definitive Star Wars Vintage Collection "First 12" Checklist
The Rebellion’s Finest
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Luke Skywalker (VC344): This is the definitive "Farmboy" Luke. Released in 2025, it’s a massive upgrade over previous versions, capturing the moisture farmer look perfectly on a classic A New Hope card.
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Princess Leia Organa (VC316): Forget the older versions; VC316 is the Leia you need. The face sculpt is a dead ringer for Carrie Fisher, making it the centerpiece of the hero trio.
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Han Solo (VC372): The legendary smuggler. VC372 is arguably the best 3.75" Han ever made for the A New Hope era, featuring a perfect sculpt and his signature blaster. Better still, Han Solo VC372 is readily available.
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Chewbacca (VC381): To match your Han, you need the VC381. It’s the essential Wookiee on the original Star Wars card back, featuring his classic bowcaster. Chewbacca VC381 is a fairly recent release and widely available.
Droids & Mentors
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C-3PO (VC06): A bit of a collector’s quirk here—while VC06 is the "standard" TVC Threepio, keep in mind he isn't on a New Hope card. However, he remains the gold standard for that shiny gold finish in this scale.
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R2-D2 (VC149): You want the "Clean" version of the Artoo unit. VC149 provides that factory-fresh look that mirrors the 1978 original.
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Ben (Obi-Wan) Kenobi (VC373): Part of the latest 2025/2026 waves, this Ben Kenobi VC373 finally gives us the definitive "Old Ben" likeness on a card that looks stunning next to VC344 Luke.
The Imperial Might & Aliens
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Darth Vader (VC344): Sharing a number block with Luke in the 2025 wave, this is the Sith Lord as he appeared in the original 1977 film. The cape and helmet sculpt are top-tier.
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Stormtrooper (VC231): The "All-New" sculpt. If you’re building the "First 12," you only need one, but this mold is so good you’ll likely end up buying five.
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Jawa (VC161): Small but essential. This Jawa comes with a soft-goods robe and the classic ion blaster, looking perfect on its Star Wars card.
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Tusken Raider (VC199): Often labeled "Sand People" by old-school fans, VC199 is the 50th Anniversary style release that fits the First 12 aesthetic perfectly.
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Imperial Navy Commander (VC94): Back in '78, he was known as the "Death Squad Commander." VC94 is the modern update to this gray-suited Imperial officer and completes the original twelve.
The "Close But Not Quite" Disclaimer
While this list creates a stunning visual tribute to the 1978 lineup, purists will notice that two figures don’t quite achieve a 100% "12-back" match. C-3PO (VC06), despite being the definitive protocol droid sculpt, features The Empire Strikes Back branding rather than the original Star Wars logo. Similarly, the Imperial Navy Commander (VC94) uses a card back that reflects his later naming convention rather than the "Death Squad Commander" title from the very first wave. For most collectors, these are minor trade-offs for superior figure quality, but for the "card-back completionist," they remain the two slight outliers in an otherwise perfect modern set.
Why TVC is the "Smarter" Way to Display
The original 12-backs are museum artifacts—you can't touch them, and you certainly can't pose them. By building your collection with these specific TVC releases, you get a premium, museum-style display that you can actually enjoy. You get the history of the "Galaxy Era" without the extortionate auction fees.
Looking to fill the gaps in your "First 12" set? Check our latest Star Wars Vintage Collection arrivals to see which of these icons we have in stock today.
Or if you've collected the First 12, dive into the soul of the collection with our Star Wars Vintage Collection 20-Back Guide: The Next 8.