Steve - Iron Armor, Purple Legs (Enchanted Armor Variant)
min043 · Minecraft
Standard Wave / Nether · 2016
Figure ID
min043
Theme
Minecraft
Year Released
2016
Rarity
Uncommon. This specific version with the Flat Silver 'Enchanted' armor appeared in only one set (21127), making it harder to find than standard Steve figures.
Head
Square block-shaped head (Part 18789pb01). Features Steve's classic brown hair, blue eyes, and goatee, with pixelated printing. In this version, the eyes have a light purple tint to represent 'enchanted' status.
Torso
Medium Blue torso with pixels (Part 973pb1614c01). The printing represents his classic shirt. It is covered in this image by an Iron Armor chestplate (Part 18954) in Flat Silver.
Legs
Dark Purple legs and hips. The purple color is used specifically to denote that Steve is wearing 'Enchanted' leggings from the game.
Accessories
Flat Silver Iron Helmet (Part 18956), Flat Silver Chestplate (Part 18954), and a Flat Silver Iron Sword (Part 18787). The flat silver color represents the iron materials in Minecraft.
Color Scheme
Primary Colors: Medium Blue and Dark Purple. Accent Colors: Flat Silver (armor elements) and Nougat (skin tone). The purple represents the glowing aura of enchanted items.
Printing Details
Classic LEGO Minecraft block style; pixel-heavy head printing. The torso has simple front-only pixel printing representing the neckline of a t-shirt. Alignment is typically very high due to pixel grid design.
Variants
There are over 50 versions of Steve. This version (min043) is unique due to the combination of iron-colored armor and purple legs. Other versions include Leather Armor, Gold Armor, Diamond Armor, and Elysian variants.
Condition Notes
Common wear points include the edges of the square head which can chip, and the flat silver coating on the sword which can scratch to show duller grey plastic underneath. Check for arm cracks in the blue torso.
Estimated Value
$5.00 - $10.00 USD for used condition. Complete with all armor and the sword, it can reach $15.00. Value has remained stable since the retirement of set 21127.
Price (New)
Originally released in set 21127 'The Fortress' which retailed for $109.99 USD in 2016.
Compatible Sets
21127 (The Fortress). This remains the only official set to contain this specific configuration of the Steve minifigure.
Character Background
Steve is the primary protagonist of Minecraft. This figure represents a mid-to-late game version of the character who has crafted Iron armor and applied Enchantments (represented by the purple legs/enchanted glow).
Design Notes
Utilizes the specialized square-molded head introduced in 2014. The armor pieces are designed to fit over standard minifigure torsos while maintaining the blocky aesthetic of the game.
Similar Minifigures
min016 (Standard Steve), min038 (Steve in Diamond Armor), and min080 (Steve in Netherite Armor).
Collectibility
High for Minecraft completionists. While Steve is very common, the specific 'Enchanted' armor variations are highly sought after to complete full character displays.
History
LEGO Minecraft transitioned from the 'Micro World' style to the 'Minifigure Scale' sets in 2014. This figure represents the second wave of design evolution where armor became a standard accessory.
Interesting Facts
The color used for the legs is 'Dark Purple' despite the Minecraft community often referring to it as 'Enchanted Purple'. The iron armor in this set is 'Flat Silver', which is distinct from the 'Pearl Light Gray' used in some earlier non-Minecraft knight sets.
Display Suggestions
Best displayed in a Minecraft 'Stronghold' or 'Fortress' MOC. Use a 2x2 jumper plate to secure the figure as the square head can make him top-heavy.
Modification Potential
Excellent for 'purist' swapping. The purple legs and silver armor are frequently swapped onto other characters (like Alex) to create custom enchanted hero variants.
Overall Assessment
A solid B+ rating for Minecraft collectors. It is a distinctive variant that clearly identifies as an upgraded character compared to basic starter figures. A must-have for those building the 'The Fortress' set.