Darth Vader’s Original Trilogy Lightsaber Sells for an Insane Jaw-Dropping Price

Darth Vader’s iconic lightsaber from the original Star Wars trilogy has just sold for an astonishing $3.65 million (€3.1 million) at auction, Propstore confirmed.

The weapon was used in The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return of the Jedi (1983) during some of the most memorable battles in the saga.

According to Propstore, this is the only lightsaber with verified screen use ever offered at public auction, making it the most expensive Star Wars item ever sold.

The sale took place in Los Angeles as part of Propstore’s Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction, which included over 400 lots of props and costumes from movies and TV shows. Brandon Alinger, Propstore’s chief operating officer, called the sale a landmark moment.

“To see a Star Wars lightsaber – the symbol of one of cinema’s greatest sagas – become the highest-valued piece of the franchise ever sold at auction is incredibly special,” Alinger said. “It speaks to the enduring cultural power of Star Wars and the passion of fans and collectors who see these artefacts as touchstones of modern mythology.”

The lightsaber itself is a unique piece of cinema history. It features the classic black hilt wielded by Vader and was used in several fight sequences that have become iconic in pop culture. Collectors consider it a once-in-a-lifetime find due to its direct connection to the films and its verified screen presence.

Other notable items sold at the auction included Harrison Ford’s bullwhip and holster from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, which went for $485,100 (€415,217), and Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man suit from the 2002 film, selling for $289,800 (€248,052). Patrick Stewart’s Ressikan Flute from Star Trek: The Next Generation sold for $403,200 (€345,095), and the neuralyzer from Men in Black fetched $315,000 (€268,000). Kit Harington’s stunt sword Longclaw from Game of Thrones sold for $94,500 (€80,800).

Harry Potter memorabilia also drew attention, with the Platform 9 3/4 sign selling for $138,600 (€118,632) and Daniel Radcliffe’s wand from The Prisoner of Azkaban going for $81,900 (€70,103). The first day of the auction brought in a total of $14,302,417 (€12,242,284), and more than 600 items will continue to be sold over the next two days.

Alinger emphasized the significance of the sale for fans and collectors. “It’s incredible to see a piece like Vader’s lightsaber, which is not just a prop but a symbol of modern storytelling and imagination, reach this level of value. It shows how deeply people connect with these films and the cultural moments they represent.”

This record-breaking sale cements Darth Vader’s lightsaber as one of the most treasured and valuable pieces of film history ever sold at auction, highlighting the continued fascination with the Star Wars universe.

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