Gollum - Narrow Eyes
lor031 · Lord of the Rings
The Hobbit / The Lord of the Rings Wave 1 · 2012; debuted in set 79000 Riddles for the Ring alongside the launch of the Peter Jackson Hobbit trilogy.
Figure ID
lor031
Theme
Lord of the Rings
Year Released
2012; debuted in set 79000 Riddles for the Ring alongside the launch of the Peter Jackson Hobbit trilogy.
Rarity
Uncommon; while the set was a low-cost entry point, the Lord of the Rings theme is discontinued, and this specific Gollum mold was only used for a short window.
Head
Custom specialized head mold; narrow blue eyes, prominent brow wrinkles, few strands of hair printing on top, and an open mouth showing individual teeth.
Torso
Specialized creature body; Tan color with dark brown loincloth printing on front and back. Features thin, hunched arms with standard minifigure hands.
Legs
Fixed crouched legs part of a specialized lower body mold; three-toed feet detail and matching tan color. Non-articulated.
Accessories
One Chrome Gold Ring (The One Ring). Some sets included a fish as an additional accessory, but the Ring is his primary item.
Color Scheme
Tan (primary) with Dark Brown (loincloth) and Light Blue (eyes). The chrome gold of the ring provides a high-contrast metallic accent.
Printing Details
High-quality pad printing on the head and torso. The eye alignment and fine lines on the forehead are critical for this specific variant (lor031 vs lor001).
Variants
There are two main variants: lor031 (Narrow Eyes) and lor001 (Wide Circular Eyes). This image displays the narrow-eyed version from The Hobbit wave.
Condition Notes
Common wear points include the arm hinges (loosening over time) and the chrome finish on the Ring accessory, which is prone to scratching and fading.
Estimated Value
Used: $10.00 - $15.00; New (in sealed set): $30.00 - $50.00 (Set value). The individual figure is relatively affordable but rising due to theme retirement.
Price (New)
Set 79000 originally retailed for $9.99 USD in 2012, making it a 'stocking stuffer' price point.
Compatible Sets
79000 Riddles for the Ring, 50011 Lothlórien (Promotional), and 71218 Dimensions Level Pack (as a digital/physical hybrid).
Character Background
Formerly the hobbit Sméagol, Gollum was corrupted by the One Ring for centuries. This version depicts him during his riddle game with Bilbo Baggins.
Design Notes
Unique skeletal/emaciated mold designed to capture Gollum's hunched posture perfectly. It deviates significantly from standard minifigure proportions.
Similar Minifigures
Dobby (Harry Potter) uses similar specialized proportions; lor001 (Gollum - Wide Eyes) and the newer LEGO Dimensions version.
Collectibility
High; 'Lord of the Rings' collectors frequently seek both eye variants to complete the sub-theme. Demand is currently stable with a slight upward trend.
History
First introduced in 2012 for the LOTR/Hobbit launch. This was the first time LEGO produced a non-standard body type for a character of this scale in this theme.
Interesting Facts
The 'narrow eyes' version was intended to look more devious and screen-accurate for the Hobbit film appearance compared to the 'wide eyes' Fellowship version.
Display Suggestions
Display in a cave-like vignette or alongside Bilbo Baggins surrendering the Ring. Use dark grey rocky elements to simulate the Misty Mountains.
Modification Potential
Limited due to specialized unique molds, though the arms can be swapped with other tan-colored droid or creature arms for different poses.
Overall Assessment
An iconic and essential figure for any Middle-earth fan. Its unique mold and screen-accurate expression make it a standout piece of 2010s-era design.