Imperial Guard Soldier - Shako Hat, Black Uniform
pi056 · Pirates
Imperial Soldiers · 1989
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Figure ID
pi056
Theme
Pirates
Year Released
1989
Rarity
Uncommon
Overall Assessment
A fantastic piece of LEGO history embodying the golden era of the 1989 Pirates theme. Essential for nostalgia collectors and vintage set restorers.
AI Estimated Value
Not an official valuationEstimated value ranges from $3 to $8 USD depending on condition and completeness, with pristine examples fetching slightly more.
Original Retail
Originally available as part of classic 1989 LEGO Pirates sets ranging from $10 to $100+ USD depending on the scale of the set.
AI estimate for general guidance only — not a professional appraisal. Actual value depends on condition, completeness, and market demand.
Parts
Head
Classic yellow minifigure head with simple black pupils, a classic smiling mouth, and a prominent black handlebar mustache and faint stubble, topped with a black shako hat with a top plume.
Torso
Black torso with classic yellow hands, featuring a black jacket print with gold buttons down the center, gold collar trim, and a red belt with a yellow buckle at the bottom. Back printing is blank as standard for 1989 figures.
Legs
Solid blue legs with blue hips and no side or front printing.
Accessories
Black shako hat with a top finial piece.
Printing Details
Simple vintage-era pad printing with basic face lines, torso jacket details, and gold buttons. No back or leg printing, typical of late 1980s LEGO manufacturing standards.
Color Scheme
Primary colors include black, blue, and classic yellow, with accent colors of red, gold, and white.
Known Variants
Variants include versions with different facial expressions or variations in the Imperial soldier ranks, such as officers with epaulets or soldiers with backpacks.
Condition Notes
Common wear points include fading of the gold torso print, scratches on the classic yellow head, and potential cracking around the torso arm sockets or hip joints due to age.
Found In Sets
6276 Eldorado Fortress, 6274 Caribbean Clipper, 6265 Sabre Island, 6250 Survival Aquanaut (among others from the initial 1989 Pirates wave)
Character Background
Represents a generic soldier of the Imperial Guard, representing the historical colonial naval forces that frequently clashed with the rogue pirates in the classic LEGO Pirates theme storyline.
Design Notes
Features the classic solid-stud head without a chin hole, unprinted solid blue legs, and a classic molded plastic shako hat that defined late 1980s historical themes.
History
Debuted in 1989 alongside the launch of the immensely popular LEGO Pirates theme, which introduced completely new torso prints, factions, and headwear outside of Town and Castle.
Interesting Facts
The classic handlebar mustache face used on this figure is one of the most iconic vintage face prints from the golden age of late 1980s LEGO themes.
Collectibility
High nostalgia factor for 80s and 90s collectors, making it a desirable staple for classic Pirates diorama builders and vintage LEGO enthusiasts.
Similar Minifigures
Imperial Soldier with Red Coat, Bluecoat Soldiers, Classic Pirates Redcoat, and various 1989-1990s military-themed minifigures.
Display Suggestions
Best displayed on a classic raised baseplate or a brick-built fortress wall alongside other Imperial Guards and opposing Pirates minifigures.
Modification Potential
Excellent for historical MOCs, custom Napoleonic or American Civil War creations, and classic purist LEGO building.