A long time ago, in a toy factory not so far away, a collection of game-changing action figures was born, kicking off the movie merchandise phenomenon and creating a new breed of pop culture collectibles. The original 21 Star Wars action figures, released by US firm Kenner in 1978 and 1979, hold a special place in the hearts of fans and are hugely sought after by collectors. But what are these iconic pieces of plastic history actually worth today?

Read on to discover the going rates for the prized playthings, with price estimates courtesy of The Toy Collectors Guide.

All dollar amounts in US dollars.

The blockbuster space opera was the first movie to licence toys on a major scale. Kenner picked up the contract late after the Mego Corporation turned it down, and the delay meant the action figures weren't ready for Christmas 1977, despite the movie's May opening.

As demand reached fever pitch, Kenner had to resort to selling empty boxes with Early Bird Certificates, basically IOUs, for four upcoming action figures: Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Chewbacca and R2-D2. They were finally released early in 1978, along with eight further figures. Later in 1978, Kenner launched a second wave of eight additional figures. The last of the original 21, the mail-order 'Rocking Firing' Boba Fett, debuted in 1979.

Each of the figures was priced at $1.99, around $10 (£7.74) in today's money. Kenner sold 40 million Star Wars toys in 1978 alone, with the proceeds helping to fund future movies in the franchise. The plastic creations are by no means rare apart from the prototypes, but boast must-have status among Star Wars fans and collectors alike, which inflates their worth.

The most valuable specimens are 'carded', meaning they're still attached to their cardboard backing and retain the plastic bubble holding the action figure. But loose, much played-with action figures without packaging still command respectable prices.

Let's take a look at what they're worth today, from least to most valuable...

The least valuable of the original 21, Power Droid was released in 1978 as part of the second wave. Power droids, aka Dronk droids, are basically the Skyriver Galaxy's bog-standard battery packs. To be brutally honest, the action figure version is as dull as the gizmos in the film and has to be the most uninspiring Kenner Star Wars figure. Unsurprisingly, it's not as desirable as the other originals.

Carded specimens sell for between $275 (£213) and $375 (£291), while loose figures fetch up to $40 (£31).

Walrus Man was released along with Power Droid as part of the second wave in 1978. The original Kenner Star Wars figures are pretty crude approximations of the characters they depict. But the original Walrus Man is a hilariously bad version of the Aqualish pirate, whose actual name is Ponda Baba, and its value reflects this.

Not worth much more than Power Droid, Walrus Man changes hands for up $400 (£309) if carded, with loose specimens selling for between $25 (£19) and $40 (£31).

Another minor Star Wars character depiction, Death Star Droid is also a second-wave release. According to The Collectors Guide, Kenner didn't do its homework properly for this one since Death Star droids are black, not silver. Its creation more closely resembles the droids found inside the Jawa Sandcrawler.

Whether the blunder has affected its popularity is anyone's guess, but Death Star Droid is among the least valuable of the original 21. Carded examples are worth between $300 (£232) and $450 (£348), while loose figures fetch up to $40 (£31).

R5-D4 may be a minor character but the droid is essential to the first Star Wars movie's plot as his deliberate malfunction led to the purchase of R2-D2, who delivered the Death Star plans.

As you might expect, the Kenner version of R5-D4's fellow astromech robot is more popular and valuable. Carded R5-D4s sell for up to $450 (£348), with loose pieces worth a maximum of $45 (£35).

This lesser-known Star Wars character is a Snivvian artist who appears in the first movie's Mos Eisley Cantina scene. Zutton, to give him his real name, is short and stocky and wears red clothing in the film. But Kenner opted to make him tall and slender and clad him in blue.

In a frantic rush, the toy firm's designers only had a black and white photo of the top half of the character to work with. The blue version made it to production and was sold by Sears for a time before it was replaced with this more accurate stumpier design decked out in red. Blue Snaggletooth figures are worth up to $400 (£310) – the toy wasn't released on a cardback – while carded red specimens sell for up to $450 (£348).

Another minor Star Wars character who features in the Mos Eisley Cantina scene, Hammerhead, later known as Mamow Nadon, was recreated by Kenner in miniature plastic form as part of the second wave in 1978.

One of the more distinctive Kenner designs, Hammerhead commands a price of up to $500 (£387) if carded, and a maximum of $40 (£31) in loose form.

The Death Squad Commander figure was among the initial 12 released in early 1978. Interestingly, the name of the figure was later changed to Star Destroyer Commander. Some say Kenner realised the original moniker was a bit much for kids but others put the name change down to the fact the Death Star doesn't feature in The Empire Strikes Back.

The speculation only adds to the figure's desirability. But it's actually the least valuable of the first 12, typically fetching up to $550 (£425) in a carded state and $50 (£39) loose.

One of the best-known Star Wars characters depicted in action figure form, Ben (Obi-Wan) Kenobi was naturally released as part of the first 12. The Jedi Master who trained Anakin Skywalker before he turned bad comes with two accessories: a vinyl cape and a blue lightsaber. Most of the original 21 have only one, a firearm, and several have none.

In terms of value, carded specimens are worth between $450 (£348) and $600 (£464). Loose figures, on the other hand, fetch from $30 (£23) to $50 (£39).

When it comes to beloved Star Wars characters, Chewbacca is up there with the galaxy's most popular icons. The Millennium Falcon co-pilot and Han Solo's right-hand Wookie was naturally included in the Christmas 1977 Early Bird package. Despite Chewbacca's popularity, the figure is the least valuable of the initial four, but its worth is still considerable.

Carded figures sell for up to $600 (£464), while loose Chewbaccas make between $30 (£23) to $50 (£39).

The Sand People are fierce inhabitants of the desert planet Tatooine. As The Toy Collectors Guide has noted, Kenner rather curiously pluralised the name of the figure, which was released in 1978 as part of the first 12. Later, the title was changed to the singular Tusken Raider, the correct name for a member of the species.

The figure, which has two accessories, a gaderffii stick and vinyl cape, is worth between $450 (£348) and $600 (£464) if carded, with loose figures selling for up to $50 (£39).

One of the more out-there Star Wars characters, Greedo was immortalised in miniature plastic form in 1978 and released as part of the second wave. The figure was available individually on cardback or exclusively from Sears as part of the Cantina Adventure Playset, together with Walrusman, Hammerhead and Snaggletooth.

A carded figure sells for up to $650 (£503) these days, while loose specimens go for between $30 (£23) to $50 (£39).

The loyal astromech droid who plays a pivotal role in the adventures of the Skywalker family and the Rebel Alliance, R2-D2 is among the most endearing Star Wars characters. The Kenner figure was among the Early Bird four, of course. Note the name. It was spelt phonetically since that is how it appears in the movie script and early novelisations.

The figure fetches between $500 (£387) and $700 (£542) if carded and up to $50 (£39) in a loose state.

Luke Skywalker is the central character of the original Star Wars trilogy, so it's only fitting there are two figures representing him among the original 21.

For this second-wave figure, Kenner showed the hero sporting his X-Wing pilot outfit. The first alternate costumed Luke Skywalker figure, it's worth up to $700 (£542) when carded, while loose versions sell for between $30 (£23) to $50 (£39).

Like R2-D2, the name of the original Kenner C-3PO figure is spelt phonetically. Kenner did a fantastic job depicting the anxiety-ridden protocol droid, with the shiny figure among its better depictions. It was released in 1978 as part of the first wave of 12.

These days, a carded version fetches between $500 (£387) and $700 (£542). Loose figures have a resale value of up to $60 (£46).

An essential for the diehard Star Wars aficionado, the debut Kenner Stormtrooper action figure hit the shelves in 1978 as part of the first 12. The figure was among the bestselling since kids always wanted multiples to create their very own Stormtrooper forces.

The army-builder figure sells for between $700 (£542) and $900 (£697) in a carded state. Loose versions make up to $60 (£46).

The only female character depicted in the original Kenner 21, Princess Leia Organa is another must-have for any serious collector. Kenner nailed the look of the heroic Rebel leader, even getting her space buns hairstyle down. The figure was part of the early Bird Four, along with Chewbacca, R2-D2 and Luke Skywalker, and came with two accessories, including a vinyl cape.

If carded, Princess Leia Organa is worth up to $900 (£697). And while not as coveted, loose specimens can fetch up to a decent $100 (£77).

Turns out, everyone loves a Dark Lord. Kenner's depiction of the space opera's ultimate villain sold like hotcakes in 1978. Part of the first 12, it features two accessories: a vinyl cape and red lightsaber.

Thanks to Darth Vader's enduring appeal, the Kenner figure is among the most valuable. Carded examples sell for between $750 (£581) and $1,000 (£774), with loose specimens going for up to $65 (£50).

The Han Solo Kenner action figure is part of the debut 12, but there are two versions in existence. Shown here, the original figure had a smaller head, which Kenner inflated in size towards the end of the initial production run. While many collectors prefer the more proportional smaller head version, the larger head variant is rarer and more valuable, according to The Toy Collectors Guide.

The figure can sell for up to $1,100 (£851) if carded, while specimens without packaging fetch a maximum of $90 (£70).

The original Kenner Luke Skywalker is mandatory for collectors of the action figures and in perennial hot demand, selling for up to $1,500 (£1,158). Like the Han Solo figure, there are two versions out there. The original Early Bird variant differs in that it features a longer 'telescoping' lightsaber.

This version is rarer and fetches the most money on the secondary market.

The most diminutive original Kenner action figure, Jawa also comes in two versions. The first iteration, released in 1978 as part of the initial 12, was clad in a vinyl cape. The Kenner marketing team reportedly fretted over whether parents would be prepared to pay the same price for a smaller figure, so swiftly replaced the vinyl cape with a more premium cloth version.

The cloth-caped variant is valuable enough, selling for up to $600 (£464). But collectors will pay up to $2,500 (£1,935) for the earlier vinyl version, which is exceedingly scarce.

The 'holy grail' of Kenner Star Wars action figures, Boba Fett was offered as a mail-order exclusive in 1979. Kenner had developed a prototype of the figure with a spring-loaded missile-firing backpack. But the feature was ultimately abandoned due to safety concerns following a child's death involving a similar device on a Battlestar Galactica toy.

Regular carded versions of Boba Fett sell for up to $5,000 (£3,871). Ultra-rare prototypes with the shooting missile are in a different galaxy price-wise. Astonishingly, one sold at auction last year for a mind-blowing $1.34 million (£1m), making it the most expensive toy ever.

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