Review: Battle of Yavin collectable coin
Posted by Huw,
Among the three gifts with purchase that will be offered to buyers of Star Wars sets during the May the Fourth period at the start of next month is a collectable coin.
It depicts a scene from the battle that takes place in the trench of the Death Star at the end of episode 4 from the point of view of a TIE Fighter pilot.
It comes in a sturdy cardboard box with sides that slide open. I found that considerable force is required to do so!
The coin is mounted in a hole in a piece of thick cardboard from which I found it difficult to extract.
Once you've finally managed to wrestle the coin from its packaging, you'll find it to be fairly hefty, weighing in at 54g. It's 49mm in diameter and 7mm thick. A sliver of clear plastic with a red outline of an X-Wing printed on it is mounted between two pieces of metal.
The LEGO Star Wars logo is embossed on the top piece of metal, while the lower portion depicts a section of Death Star trench with an X-Wing flying in it.
The clear plastic piece swings from side to side, thus replicating the vision of a TIE pilot as he attempts to get the rebel craft in target.
When perfectly centred, it aligns with the X-Wing outline on the coin, at which point it's time to FIRE!
The back is also decorated, with the cockpit of a TIE fighter.
It's quite well-made, and the interactivity of swinging the plastic pendulum from side to side makes it slightly more fun than other similar GWPs that have been offered in the past.
It's probably not worth spending extra to acquire it when the time comes, but if you're buying 75382 TIE Interceptor as soon as it becomes available anyway, it will be a welcome addition to your order. In fact, you'll receive it, 40686 Trade Federation Troop Carrier, and 30680 AAT, which is not a bad haul.
Thanks to LEGO for sending this item for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
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57 comments on this article
I’m sorry to say I consider things like this a complete waste of time and resources. Who was asking for this?
meh.
No more coins please.
@Mister_Jonny said:
"I’m sorry to say I consider things like this a complete waste of time and resources. Who was asking for this?"
Me... I asked for it... :)
"When perfectly centred, it aligns with the X-Wing outline on the coin, at which point it's time to FIRE!"
Review should make it more explicit: this represents a specific shot in Episode VI: "I have you now!"
https://i.makeagif.com/media/5-25-2018/b0POfm.gif
I think this is pretty clever! Reminds me of the collectible Disney pins that have interactive features. Which also reminds me that I would rather have this be a pin than a coin...
No more coins or patches, please and thank you.
@Mister_Jonny said:
"I’m sorry to say I consider things like this a complete waste of time and resources. Who was asking for this?"
More coins, please! I’m Spartacash!
...so this is from a TIE Fighter POV, and the UCS for this May the 4th is a TIE Interceptor, that has an X-Wing in its targeting sights like the coin, so the idea is that the coin is a companion piece to the Interceptor...
...except TIE Interceptors weren't in A New Hope and as a result weren't a part of the Death Star trench run. They *were* in Return of the Jedi, but the fight on the Death Star II didn't have a trench run, the chase was through the interior structure.
I'm not going to be like some Star Wars fans and whine about every little inaccuracy, but it is an odd oversight. Maybe it was conceived as being for the 25th Anniversary first and the Interceptor second, which would justify the use of generalized A New Hope iconography, but it's a bit of weirdness.
[The ship first appeared in Return of the Jedi, though in lore they did exist prior to the Battle of Yavin, so honestly taking this all at once I think they screwed up the release order of UCS sets; it would make way more sense for the TIE Interceptor to be part of the Return of the Jedi 40th campaign and the Death Star II GWPs last year and to have the X-Wing be this year for the Lego Star Wars anniversary.]
Why?
@Alia_of_AGL said:
"I'm not going to be like some Star Wars fans and whine about every little inaccuracy, but it is an odd oversight. Maybe it was conceived as being for the 25th Anniversary first and the Interceptor second, which would justify the use of generalized A New Hope iconography, but it's a bit of weirdness."
The GWPs are often random, so it never occurred to me to associate this coin with a set release, e.g. reconcile Trade Federation Troop Carrier with TIE Interceptor. =)
If you were involved in the battle of Yavin and did not receive your medal please contact your military force’s medal application service on Coruscant.
It could be a rebel medal or an imperial medal? Any imperial survivors past one??
@MVives said:
"
The GWPs are often random, so it never occurred to me to associate this coin with a set release, e.g. reconcile Trade Federation Troop Carrier with TIE Interceptor. =)
"
Actually, the Troop Carrier makes a lot of sense - it's a remake of 7126, which is a Phantom Menace set that correlates with the 25th Anniversary of both Lego Star Wars and the movie, and in a way it's also a reflection of 7654, which was combined conceptually with 7655 to produce 75372 so it works as a companion set to that. It doesn't have anything to do with the TIE Interceptor, but it isn't truly out of left field.
I wonder who the target market is for this. I don't much care for it, but to be honest I'd have found it pretty cool as a kid. Would have gone in my box of Neat Stuff.
I never had any real interest in any of the Lego coins (I only have 5007840 because I spent enough last May the Fourth to get 40591, and I'm thinking about selling the coin), but that play feature is pretty cool. Probably won't shoot for it (pun intended) come May, though.
There is also further historical precedence of correlation between GWPs and set releases; 40531 was a GWP during the same May the 4th campaign that brought 75341; both A New Hope Tatooine sets associated with Luke's life before joining the Rebellion.
But why?
Coins seem so silly to me, and I say this as someone who has the original gold coin with LEGO on it. I do like the big version of those old pirate coins, and if I ever get my hands on the big Redbeard, it'll be perfect for him. If not, it's just a neat piece of history made large.
I'm also a collector of Star Wars outside of Lego, so items like this are very appealing to me. I particularly appreciate the fact that they're really well-made!
When I saw that this review had actually been made I laughed so hard
Some people love this stuff. So if I get it for free, then I'll put it on fleabay. Someone happy to have a coin, me happy to get some pocket money. Win win.
I never understand when people use the "who asked for this" argument. No one asked for it because generally that's not how a business is run. If you see a new flavor of potato chip or cookie that you find unpleasant, will you wonder "who asked for this"? TLG makes products they think people will like to have or collect, and the avenues for which people DO ask for things are IDEAS and BrickLink Designer Program.
I usually like the coin promos. I get that some people think they're a waste of time, but they can be pretty nice. I'm not impressed with this one, though. The swinging plastic X-Wing ruins the collectible look IMO. I also don't like the giant metal chunk on top needed to hold that plastic.
I do feel like these coins would work better as VIP rewards for people like me who want them, but GWPs should be actual bricks (or better yet, bring back the exclusive minifigure polybags).
Pull this or buy my battle packs with 20-33% discount elswhere that's easy to decide.
Is it really too hard to ask for a minifigure?
But…this scene never had an interceptor.
Somehow even when the plastic piece is centered, it looks off center to me… annoyingly so.
I wonder when there are a dozen of these to collect over the next decade, if we will be kicking ourselves for not grabbing/saving the first two...
Tacky as ****.
It some ways, it feels as though this coin should have accompanied 75355 X-wing Starfighter last year and 5007840 Return of the Jedi 40th Collectable should have come this year, albeit named something like 'Battle of Endor Collectable Coin' instead.
I just find it strange that none of the three items produced specifically for May the Fourth, 75382 TIE Interceptor, 40686 Trade Federation Troop Carrier and 5008818 Battle of Yavin Collectable Coin, have any thematic connection whatsoever. Giving some acknowledgement of The Phantom Menace's anniversary is welcome, but surely the smaller promotional item could have related to the TIE Interceptor.
So incredibly dull. I'm struggling to see how the design team's brainstorming session led to this.
It stinks heavily of crass, clueless marketing. I'm not interested in this, would never consider this junk to be an incentive.
FAIL.
I appreciate having one of the May the 4th gifts be a non-set, but would much appreciate something useful or display worthy. What about something like the vintage Lego tin sign from a few years back? refrigerator magnet? pen? mug or cup? hat? blanket?
@jokailblinnis said:
"Why?"
No, X.
Hopefully it will be worth a pretty penny on EBay :)
@CapnRex101:
I just find it strange that this review came from @Huw and not you. How the heck did that get mixed up?
@Andrusi said:
" @jokailblinnis said:
"Why?"
No, X."
Sweetie pie?
Honey bunch?
Bubble butt?
Pumpkin face?
Wow... and not in a good way
MandRproductions: *Goes on an angry rant*
Any chance you can replace ‘slither’ with ‘sliver’? The English pedant in me just can’t let it go.
"What a piece of junk?!!"
As usual, I agree with the Cap'n. This entire May 4th looks like a cheap collection of throwaway gifts for a Colgate product. Where did the head of Lego SW just come from after graduating from the bottom of the Ivy League in marketing? Hmm....
Can't wait till they clean house, and hire people passionate about Lego... and Star Wars!!
I do like the Droid Carrier, but it doesn't make much sense, either. Should've been a set.
I'm so tired of the meta-complaining about Lego SW fans. We aren't hard to please. Try this radical idea. Give us some well-designed, well-made products... made from Lego bricks... about Star Wars!!!
You know, just do your job.
@PurpleDave said:
" @CapnRex101 :
I just find it strange that this review came from @Huw and not you. How the heck did that get mixed up?"
We are sometimes sent promotional items by LEGO UK, separately from receiving other sets via the LAN. Those are sent to Huw and we cannot change the address for each item.
In this case, it is probably for the best because I am not a fan of these coins at all! They are better than nothing, but I like LEGO Star Wars for the LEGO, rather than any other branded paraphernalia.
At least it’s based on the original trilogy so it’s as desirable as a Star Wars coin can get.
@NewEnglandIV said:
"Is it really too hard to ask for a minifigure? "
Asking isn't what's hard, getting the answer you want is where the difficulty lies.
@Reventon said:
"Hopefully it will be worth a pretty penny on EBay :)"
Pretty penny, huh? Well, it *is* a fancy coin...
And people still keep wondering why I criticize LEGO so often these days.
What a useless piece of...
Wow, it's quacking nothing! :D
Wow...
The "I don't like it so it shouldn't exist" brigade really is out in force tonight!
I suspect this will be a very popular gwp amongst normal Lego fans.
@Alia_of_AGL said:
[[...so this is from a TIE Fighter POV, and the UCS for this May the 4th is a TIE Interceptor, that has an X-Wing in its targeting sights like the coin, so the idea is that the coin is a companion piece to the Interceptor...]]
...except TIE Interceptors weren't in A New Hope and as a result weren't a part of the Death Star trench run. They *were* in Return of the Jedi, but the fight on the Death Star II didn't have a trench run, the chase was through the interior structure.
I'm not going to be like some Star Wars fans and whine about every little inaccuracy, but it is an odd oversight. Maybe it was conceived as being for the 25th Anniversary first and the Interceptor second, which would justify the use of generalized A New Hope iconography, but it's a bit of weirdness.
[The ship first appeared in Return of the Jedi, though in lore they did exist prior to the Battle of Yavin, so honestly taking this all at once I think they screwed up the release order of UCS sets; it would make way more sense for the TIE Interceptor to be part of the Return of the Jedi 40th campaign and the Death Star II GWPs last year and to have the X-Wing be this year for the Lego Star Wars anniversary.]]]
Boy, I really hope someone got fired for that blunder.
In all seriousness, I honestly think the coins are kind of alright but nothing special and that resources could instead be diverted towards more interesting things.
I would have preferred a coin rather than a cheap toy made to look like a coin. If the plastic part and top section hadn't been bolted on, at least it looks like a nice display coin. But this thing looks like cheap crap.
I agree that this isn't the best thing TLG has produced but I suspect they weren't thinking of the diehard LEGO SW fans when they decided upon it. Rather, they were after enticing the general SW collectors who could well be tempted to spend £80 on LEGO to get their hands on one.
Given the thresholds, I suspect the troop carrier is for the diehard LEGO SW fans (yes I know it ought to have been a set and not a GWP for lots of you), the coin for the collectors and the AAT for the younger market.
Just IMHO
@CCC said:
"I would have preferred a coin rather than a cheap toy made to look like a coin. If the plastic part and top section hadn't been bolted on, at least it looks like a nice display coin. But this thing looks like cheap crap."
I mean, it's cute, and I won't mind adding one to my growing collection of official LEGO coins (and my collection of LEGOLAND smashed pennies), but they really did a much better job with the last one. That also had a supplementary piece of plastic that, added to the coin, gave it a kind of hologram effect. However, the piece of plastic was independent of the coin, which was otherwise just a flat coin. It would have been possible to recreate this same effect with a separate piece of plastic. All you'd have to do is make a display tray that had a small pocket for the coin, and a much larger, off center pocket for a round piece of plastic that would have its center located right where this piece of plastic is mounted. Rotate the piece of plastic, and the off-center X-Wing would swing side-to-side in a similar arc. I guess the only problem with that is you'd need to get the coin perfectly lined up for the overlay effect to work, but you had that same issue with the Death Star coin before it. Round coin, rectangular overlay.
@Plisskin82 said:
"Any chance you can replace ‘slither’ with ‘sliver’? The English pedant in me just can’t let it go."
That was the second thing I thought of. The first was, this is a nice little Star Wars memento, but what has it got to do with Lego?
I'm not a coin collector but I find the negativity here is exagerated.
There is a lot of people who are collecting coins, SW things, and wouldn't have any interest in Lego.
I'ts a nice piece. I sometime like Lego things that are not Lego parts, like the wooden minifig and the Classic Space cap.
In the comments: Bitching about a free item.
@Brickeric said:
"I'm not a coin collector but I find the negativity here is exagerated.
There is a lot of people who are collecting coins, SW things, and wouldn't have any interest in Lego.
I'ts a nice piece. I sometime like Lego things that are not Lego parts, like the wooden minifig and the Classic Space cap.
"
I liked the Classic Space cap until I discovered that it was too small to fit on my head. I gave it to my third nephew, who it fit, and who also liked it.
@TheOtherMike:
What? Are you sure you got the adult-sized cap? There have been three. In 2004, they did 4243730 for adults and 4243729 for kids. More recently, they did a distressed version for adults (5007090) through the VIP Rewards Center. I've got that one, and I have to adjust the strap about halfway for it to fit, but I have known a handful of people with heads that were large enough they probably couldn't wear it, but then again, they probably can't wear any other generic "adult" caps either.
I don't wear that cap because velcro straps and long hair don't seem like a good combination. I also got two of the black one with the velcro patches so I could have one for the Bionicle patch and the other for the OG Blacktron patch (and ironically, it ships with the boring Castle crown installed, and the two more desirable patches are sealed in a little cardboard vault).
Had the pendulum piece come with studs to attach a figure to it would've made a great figure stand. As-is, cool, cool. Now can I has a thing that can interact with my system pieces please?
@Mister_Jonny said:
"I’m sorry to say I consider things like this a complete waste of time and resources. Who was asking for this?"
I am. Stop yucking other peoples yum.
ANYWAY
I love THIS ONE only because it's of Starwars by LEGO !
Although it shall be soon lost in the mountain of my Starwars collectibie items ... (???)