In 2001 LEGO released 2 Advanced Models sets across 2 subthemes. The largest Advanced Models set from 2001 was
3724 LEGO Dragon with a piece count of 1530 and a retail price of $99.00. The current estimated value of all these Advanced Models sets from this year is about $2,213.97 which represents a 1486% growth.
Advanced Models, also known as Creator containes sets focused on the creative construction of LEGO System parts as opposed to playability functions of minifigures, alothough many sets do contain minifigures. These sets include buildings, trains, vehicles and other complex contruction sets. The Advanced Models/Creator sets initially began in 2000 and was a replacement for the LEGO Designer theme.
2001 LEGO Sets
2001 was another interesting year for LEGO collecting. LEGO introduced a few very iconic and highly collectable sets which help drive LEGO investments to date, these include the Bionicle theme, Harry Potter, LEGO Racers and Alpha Team. Also introduced in 2001 as well as retired was the Life on Mars theme. We also saw the release of Islanders and Imperial Armada as subthemes of LEGO Pirates. LEGO also expanded its retail footprint in 2001 with brand stores opening in England, Germany, and Russia as well as expansions in the United States. The 2001 notable sets include the Star Wars Darth Maul bust (10018-1), Star Wars Ultimate Collector Series Rebel Blockade Runner (10019-1) and of course the LEGO Dragon sculpture (3724-1).