LEGO 1997 / Dacta Sets

In 1997 LEGO released 13 Dacta sets across 3 subthemes. The largest Dacta set from 1997 was 9291 Medium Basic Set with a piece count of 822 and a retail price of $59.50. The current estimated value of all these Dacta sets from this year is about $2,272.89.

Dacta was an original LEGO theme from 1960 to 2003 that deals with all things that can be used with educational facilities, such as DUPLO and TECHNIC. Dacta was later replaced by the LEGO Education theme. Sets in the Dacta product line were exclusively developed for usage in younger aged schools so the sets typically contain a large amount of pieces for playing and learning in groups. The sets were designed to contain a higher number of bricks and elements at a lower cost.

1997 LEGO Sets

In 1997, the LEGO Group faced significant challenges as it grappled with a changing toy market and internal organizational shifts. While the company introduced its first-ever licensed theme, "Star Wars," laying the groundwork for one of its most successful and enduring lines, it also experienced a dip in sales for the first time since its inception. The LEGO Group recognized the need to innovate and diversify its product offerings beyond traditional brick sets, leading to endeavors in new areas like software and video games, with the launch of LEGO Island, its first PC game. This year marked a period of introspection and transformation for the iconic toy company.