5/04/2016

List: Top 10 Most Expensive Gundam Model Kits in the World

What are the most expensive Gunpla kits in the world? If you're new to the hobby, then you might be surprised by the answers.

We were curious as to what kind of money serious collectors were shelling out for the rarest and most sought-after Gunpla kits in the world. That's why we compiled a list of the most expensive kits based on sold listings on Japanese auction sites. If you think that P-Bandai kits are already expensive enough, just wait until you see how much high-end collectors are willing to pay to acquire the world's most limited and sought-after kits.


Below you will find a list of the most expensive kits we could find. Almost every kit on this list (with the exception of one) is a so-called 'lucky draw' or campaign limited item, which doesn't really come as a surprise. These type of kits are not for sale anywhere, but can only be won as prizes, which make them the rarest items you can get and quite valuable on the second-hand market.

Let's not wait any longer and let’s see what collectors have paid for these rare gems. This is our top 10 of most expensive Gunpla kits in the world:


#10
MG 1/100 Turn A Gundam Gold Plated Version


Starting off the list at number 10, we have the "MG 1/100 Turn A Gundam Gold Plated Version"「MG 1/100 ターンエーガンダム 金メッキバージョン」 from the "Master Grade No.100 Countdown Campaign" 「マスターグレードNo100予想キャンペーン」. It was made to commemorate the 100th edition of the Master Grade line and was given away to 100 people who entered the contest. With only 100 kits ever produced, this kit is on top amongst the rarest Master Grade kits ever made. Very hard to find and very high collectibility value.

Year of Release: 2007
Price: ¥40,000 — 55,000 $520 USD


#9
MG 1/100 RX-78-2 Gundam Ver.OYW 0079
Chrome Plating Ver.


Coming in at number 9 is the "MG 1/100 RX-78-2 Gundam Ver.One Year War 0079 Chrome Plating Ver." 「MG ガンダム ver.OYW クロームメッキ」. This kit was only available to Club MG members and was obtainable by collecting points and trading them in for special Club MG items. You usually won’t find one of these for less than 40,000 yen.

Year of Release: 2011
Price: ¥42,000 — 60,000 $565 USD


#8
1/48 Mega Size Model Zaku II Premium Coating Gold Ver.


At number 8, we have the "1/48 Mega Size Model Zaku II Premium Coating Gold Ver." 「1/48 メガサイズモデル シャア専用ザク プレミアムゴールドVer.」. These kits were numbered 1 through 120 and they were awarded to 120 people who have entered the "S-Cup x Gundam" 「エスカップ×ガンダム」 campaign in 2011. There's also a silver version, which is also limited to 120 pieces. They are generally priced slightly lower than the gold plated version.

Year of Release: 2011
Price: ¥45,000 — 62,000 $580 USD


#7
MG 1/100 RX-78-2 Gundam Ver.OYW 0079
Titanium Finish Ver.


Next on the list, we have another Club MG limited item: the "MG 1/100 RX-78-2 Gundam Ver.One Year War 0079 Titanium Finish Ver." 「MG RX-78-2 ガンダム Ver.ONE YEAR WAR 0079 チタニウムフィニッシュVer. 」. Just like the chrome plated version, this kit was never made commercially available to the general public and was only available to Club MG members.

Year of Release: 2011
Price: ¥50,000 — 65,000 $610 USD


#6
1/48 Mega Size Model RX-78-2 Gundam Premium Gold Ver.


Moving on to number 6, we have the "1/48 Mega Size Model RX-78-2 Gundam Premium Gold Ver." 「1/48スケール メガサイズモデルガンダム プレミアムゴールドVer.」. This kit was also a special prize from the "S-Cup x Gundam" 「エスカップ×ガンダム」 campaign. Only 250 boxes were made and they were given away to people who entered the contest during the drawing period. There's also a silver version of this kit, which is also limited to 250 pieces.

Year of Release: 2011
Price: ¥55,000 — 75,000 $700 USD


#5
PG 1/60 RX-78-2 Gundam (Full-Color Plated Version)


Coming in at the halfway point, we have the "PG 1/60 RX-78-2 Gundam Full-Color Plated Version" 「PG RX-78-2 ガンダム フルカラーメッキバージョン」. This kit was originally sold at the JAF • CON 9 convention back in 2000 for ¥20,000 and was the first limited edition Perfect Grade ever made. Exact numbers are unknown but given its huge price tag and Japan's economic situation at the time, it is very unlikely that many were sold.

Year of Release: 2000
Price: ¥70,000 — 80,000 $750 USD


#4
RG 1/144 Destiny Gundam Heine Westenfluss Color Plated Ver.


Nearing on to top three, at number 4 we have the newest kit of the list: the "RG 1/144 Destiny Gundam Heine Westenfluss Color Plated Ver." 「RG 1/144 デスティニーガンダム ハイネ・ヴェステンフルスカラーメッキVer.」. This kit was a campaign limited item and was given away to 100 people who participated in the "Mobile Suit Gundam: Extreme VS Force × T.M.Revolution × Gundam 35th Anniversary" campaign. This kit is by far the rarest Real Grade kit to date. With only 100 kits made, it's guaranteed to be a sought-after item in years to come.

Year of Release: 2016
Price: ¥75,000 — 100,000 $940 USD


#3
MG 1/100 RX-78-2 Gundam Ver.2.0 Pure Gold Plating Ver.


Starting off at top 3, we have another Club MG limited item: the "MG 1/100 RX-78-2 Gundam Ver.2.0 Pure Gold Plating Ver." 「ガンダム Ver.2.0 純金メッキVer.」. Just like the Chrome Plating Ver. and Titanium Finish Ver., this kit was only available to Club MG members. The major difference between this kit and the previous Club MG kits is that the innerframe of this kit is also entirely plated, which jacks up the value substantially. It's very hard to find and rarely goes for under ¥150,000 when it is up for sale, making it easily the most expensive Master Grade kit in the world.

Year of Release: 2011
Price: ¥150,000 — 250,000 $2,350 USD


#2
PG 1/60 Char's Custom Zaku II Red Metal Version


The runner up for this list is the "PG 1/60 Char's Custom Zaku II Red Metal Version" 「PG 1/60 MS-06S シャア専用ザクⅡ レッドメタルバージョン」. This kit was a special prize from the "MG Special Mechanic Seal W Chance Campaign" 「MGスペシャルメカニックシールWチャンスキャンペーン」 back in December 2002. It's 'the holy grail' for Zeon fans and with only 300 kits ever made, very rare and, you guessed it, very expensive when found.

Year of Release: 2003
Price: ¥250,000 — 350,000 $3,300 USD


#1
PG 1/60 RX-78-2 Gundam Gold Version


And finally topping the list at number 1, we have the "PG 1/60 RX-78-2 Gundam Gold Version" 「PG 1/60 RX-78-2 ガンダム 純金コーティングバージョン」, which was also a special prize from the "MG Special Mechanic Seal W Chance Campaign" 「MGスペシャルメカニックシールWチャンスキャンペーン」 back in 2002. This kit is considered 'the holy grail' amongst serious collectors. With only 30 kits made, it's the rarest Gundam model kit ever released to the public, and pretty much impossible to find. Even if you manage to find one, be prepared to spend up to one million yen.

Year of Release: 2002
Price: ¥750,000 — 950,000 $9,000 USD


※NOTE: all price ranges are based on sold listings on Japanese auction sites and should be used as a reference only. These prices are not definitive, as they always vary according to seller, market, availability and state of the item. Super Deformed (SD) kits, resin kits, third-party kits, custom/commissioned kits and figures are not included on this list.

Sources: Dalong, Abyss Gate, Modeling28, Yahoo! Auctions

22 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Wtf you mean no lol he's the Gunpla legend who won 2003 BAC and 2006 revamped BAKUC. You can literally google his name

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    2. same gang

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  2. I have seen someone in Hong Kong selling the 1/60 PG Gundam Gold Version on "Yahoo! Hong Kong Auction" site for roughly USD 1,000 in 2015 or 2016. Not sure if he sold it or not, but he got at least two of these Gold Version based on the pictures he posted.

    This same seller used to list the same Gold Version for HKD 50,000 (~USD 6,450) some years ago but nobody bid on it.

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  4. คุณภาคภูมิ ศิริโรจน์วงศ์ = He is winner Bandai Asia cup 2003 and 1st runner up Bandai Action Kits “Univeral Cup” (BAKUC) in 2006
    No.1 PG 1/60 RX-78-2 Gundam Gold Version is special prize to winner in 2003 and No.2 PG 1/60 Char's Custom Zaku II Red Metal Version, prize in 2006

    He told the history of the competition > https://pantip.com/topic/36916679

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    Replies
    1. Very interesting. Too bad I can't read Thai, but thanks nonetheless!

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  5. My family owns #2,#7,#8,#10 the rest are really hard to find collectors wont just sell them even for money.

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  6. these dont even look as cool as more complicated ones. even some master grades cost less and look way cooler. just throwing gold or silver but making the product scaled down on design isnt worth it

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    Replies
    1. The look isn't what makes them expensive. It's the exclusivity. Some of these were only made in a double digit amount.

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  7. My thoughts exactly... more of just a hype thing.

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  9. hahaha... thousands of dollars for molded plastics?
    Things only get as expensive as one is willing to pay for it.
    Its nice to see the positive surge in price for these hobby items.
    But its never worth the real deal.
    I bet Gundam makers are laughing their ass off seeing how people go crazy with astronomical prices.

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  10. I have one of all of these.
    Bow poor people to your new ruler

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