Ghost with Round Top and Smile
gen002 · Castle
Classic Castle / Fright Knights · 1990 (First appearance in 6081 King's Mountain Fortress)
Figure ID
gen002
Theme
Castle
Year Released
1990 (First appearance in 6081 King's Mountain Fortress)
Rarity
Common to Uncommon. While widely produced throughout the 1990s, original glow-in-the-dark shrouds in good condition are becoming harder to find due to plastic aging.
Head
The 'head' of this figure consists of a standard plain white minifigure head underneath a glow-in-the-dark shroud. The shroud features a molded smiling face with cut-out eyes and mouth.
Torso
Uses a standard plain white torso with white arms and white hands. There is no printing on the torso as it is hidden by the shroud.
Legs
Standard plain white 1x2x2 legs. No printing or specialized molding.
Accessories
Usually paired with a ball and chain item (Part 21/4459). The ghost shroud itself is technically categorized as a large headgear/wearable accessory (Part 59228).
Color Scheme
Primary color is Glow-In-The-Dark Opaque (a pale milky green). The internal body is solid white.
Printing Details
This figure typically features no printing. The facial features are physically molded/cut through the plastic shroud rather than pad-printed.
Variants
gen001 (Pointed top shroud), gen002 (Round top shroud - shown here), and later versions with printed eyes (gen046) or ball-joint bottoms (Hidden Side theme).
Condition Notes
Prone to 'yellowing' or browning if exposed to UV light. The Glow-In-The-Dark plastic is softer than standard ABS and shows tooth marks or scratches easily. Red marks visible on this specific unit look like ink or crayon transfer.
Estimated Value
Used: $5 - $9 USD. New (Mint): $15 - $25 USD. The shroud alone usually carries 80% of the figure's total value.
Price (New)
N/A (Retail sets containing this figure ranged from $10 to $100+ in the 1990s).
Compatible Sets
6081 King's Mountain Fortress, 6034 Black Monarch's Ghost, 1730 Snow Scooter, 6090 Royal Knight's Castle.
Character Background
Originally introduced as a spooky dweller of Castle dungeons, the ghost became a staple of LEGO humor, often appearing in unexpected themes like Town or Time Cruisers.
Design Notes
One of LEGO's earliest uses of Phosphorescent plastic. The shroud is designed to fit over a standard minifigure, making the ghost taller than a regular human figure.
Similar Minifigures
Classic Ghost (Pointed Top), Spirit/Wraith from Ninjago, and the modern Hidden Side ghosts which use trans-clear dual-molding.
Collectibility
High nostalgia factor. A foundational piece for '90s LEGO collectors and essential for completing classic Castle dioramas.
History
Launched in 1990, it was the first non-humanoid 'monster' figure in the Castle line. The round-top design replaced the pointed-top version to improve safety and aesthetic consistency.
Interesting Facts
In the early 90s, this was many children's first introduction to glow-in-the-dark technology. In LEGO lore, the ghost is often depicted as friendly rather than malevolent.
Display Suggestions
Best displayed in a darkened shadow box or a 'haunted' MOC. Use a UV flashlight to 'charge' the plastic for a vibrant glow effect.
Modification Potential
Commonly used in 'purist' customs by swapping the internal head for a colored or printed one to change the eye color seen through the shroud holes.
Overall Assessment
An iconic piece of LEGO history. While the specific example in the photo shows some cosmetic wear (red staining), it remains a highly desirable legacy figure for its unique material properties.