LEGO Desert Expedition 2879-1
LEGO Desert Expedition (2879-1) is worth about $291 on the secondary market today, against a $40 retail price. It has 196 pieces, belongs to the Adventurers theme and was released in 1998. This set has retired — LEGO no longer produces it, so supply is fixed and prices are set entirely by the resale market.
- Set number
- 2879-1
- Theme
- Adventurers
- Subtheme
- Desert
- Year
- 1998
- Pieces
- 196
- Minifigures
- 5
- RRP
- $40
- Market value
- $291
- Used value
- $102
- Released
- 1998
- Retirement
- Retired in 1998
Minifigures in LEGO Desert Expedition
- LEGO Dr. Kilroy / Dr. Charles Lightning - White Shirt and Suspenders, Green Legs, White Pith Helmet, Brown Backpack
- LEGO Harry Cane
- LEGO Lord Sam Sinister / Baron von Barron - Tan Shirt, Light Gray Legs, White Pith Helmet, White Epaulettes
- LEGO Skeleton - Standard Skull, Floppy Arms
- LEGO Slyboots / Sam Sinister
Desert Expedition value by year
From $99 in 2016 to $144 in 2026 so far: +46%. Its highest year was 2022, at $239.
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 (so far) | $144 | −16.9% |
| 2025 | $174 | +27.6% |
| 2024 | $136 | −1.4% |
| 2023 | $138 | −42.2% |
| 2022 | $239 | +95.7% |
| 2021 | $122 | +4.9% |
| 2020 | $116 | +4.1% |
| 2019 | $112 | +4.1% |
| 2018 | $107 | +5.1% |
| 2017 | $102 | +3.3% |
| 2016 | $99 | — |
Median of each year's market prices, sealed, in US dollars.
What you are paying for
Its 5 priced minifigures are worth about $39 together, roughly 14% of the set's value — about typical for sets with minifigures (typically 24%).
Frequently asked questions
How much is LEGO Desert Expedition (2879-1) worth?
LEGO Desert Expedition is worth approximately $291 on the secondary market today, based on current listings and completed sales. BrickStats updates this value daily.
Is LEGO Desert Expedition retired?
Yes — Desert Expedition (2879-1) has been retired by LEGO and is no longer in production. Retired sets have fixed supply, which is why their prices are driven purely by the resale market.
Has LEGO Desert Expedition gone up in value?
Yes. Desert Expedition launched at $40 and now trades around $291, an increase of 627.5%. See the price history chart for how it got there.
What is the price per piece for Desert Expedition?
At its $40 retail price across 196 pieces, Desert Expedition works out to about $0.204 per piece. Collectors often use price per piece to judge whether a set is good value.
Is LEGO Desert Expedition a good investment?
Desert Expedition currently trades 627.5% above its $40 retail price, and it is retired, so no new supply is entering the market. Past performance is not a prediction — condition, packaging and how long you hold all affect what a set actually sells for. BrickStats reports the numbers rather than giving investment advice.
Why is LEGO Desert Expedition so expensive?
Desert Expedition was released in 1998 and has since retired. Once LEGO stops producing a set, the only supply is what is already in circulation, so sealed copies in good condition compete for a shrinking pool of stock. That scarcity, not the parts, is what moves the price.