Steve - Diamond Armor
min043 or min009 (with accessories) · Minecraft
Modern Minecraft Wave · 2014-present (Armor variant first in 21114)
Figure ID
min043 or min009 (with accessories)
Theme
Minecraft
Year Released
2014-present (Armor variant first in 21114)
Rarity
Common; Steve with Diamond Armor is one of the most widely produced figures in the Minecraft theme, though the armor pieces provide added play value over the base version.
Head
Medium Flesh Head, Square with Dark Brown Hair and Beard print. The head is a specialized cube mold unique to the Minecraft line, lacking the cylindrical stud found on standard minifigures.
Torso
Medium Blue with Dark Blue V-neck Sweater print. Arms are Medium Blue with Medium Flesh hands. The printing is pixelated to mimic the game's aesthetic.
Legs
Dark Purple unprinted legs representing the character's signature trousers from the game's default skin.
Accessories
Includes a Trans-Light Blue Square Helmet and a Trans-Light Blue Chestplate/Armor piece. These are specialized molds designed to replicate Diamond Tier equipment from the video game.
Color Scheme
A mix of Medium Blue, Dark Purple, and Trans-Light Blue (Diamond color). The skin tone is 'Medium Flesh'.
Printing Details
Pixel-art style printing on the head and torso. The 'pixel' alignment is consistent with the LEGO Minecraft aesthetic, which focuses on blocky, grid-based graphics rather than organic curves.
Variants
Variants include Steve without armor, Steve in Iron armor (Flat Silver), Steve in Gold armor (Pearl Gold), and Steve with different facial expressions (e.g., grinning or scared).
Condition Notes
Main wear points are the corners of the cubic head and the Trans-Blue armor pieces, which are prone to scratching and 'clouding' over time. Check for stress marks on the armor's neck ring.
Estimated Value
Used: $3.00 - $5.00 USD; New: $7.00 - $9.00 USD. Value is generally low due to high production volume across many sets.
Price (New)
Usually included in sets ranging from $10.00 to $100.00+. As a standalone part of a collection, it is an entry-level figure.
Compatible Sets
Appears in numerous sets including 21114 The Farm, 21117 The Ender Dragon, and 21147 The Bedrock Adventures.
Character Background
Steve is the main protagonist/default player character in Minecraft, the best-selling video game of all time. Diamond armor represents the high-end protection every player strives to craft.
Design Notes
The Minecraft theme marked a departure for LEGO, moving away from the standard minifigure head to a proprietary cube-shaped mold. The armor is specifically faceted to look like voxels.
Similar Minifigures
Alex (Diamond Armor), Zombie (with Armor), and various Steve versions such as Enchanted Armor or Netherite Armor variants.
Collectibility
High for completionists of the Minecraft line, but low for high-end investors as the figure is easily obtainable in many current and retired sets.
History
First debuted in 2014 when LEGO moved from the Micro-world scale (CUUSOO) to the standard minifigure scale for the Minecraft theme.
Interesting Facts
The Diamond Armor was the first 'translucent' armor set produced for the theme. The purple legs are often mistakenly identified as 'dark blue' in poor lighting, but are officially Dark Purple.
Display Suggestions
Best displayed on a grass-green or stone-gray baseplate alongside a Creeper or a Diamond Sword accessory to complete the 'Survival' look.
Modification Potential
The head is frequently swapped onto other bodies for 'MOC' avatars, and the armor can be used on any standard minifigure to give them a 'power-up' look.
Overall Assessment
A quintessential 2010s LEGO figure. While not rare, it is an iconic representation of the crossover between the world's most popular physical toy and most popular digital game.