When did the minifigure first appear?

The minifigure was introduced in 1978, and this tribute set followed in 2023.

How many unique parts are in A Minifigure Tribute?

The 1,041 pieces are spread across 240 different parts.

Is the set more for play or display?

It is designed as a display piece that celebrates the history of the minifigure.

LEGO Exclusive

A Minifigure Tribute

A Minifigure Tribute is a 2023 exclusive that celebrates one of the most recognisable toys ever made. Its 1,041 pieces go entirely into the model, with no minifigures included.

Set number: 40504
Year: 2023
Pieces: 1,041
Minifigures: 0
Theme: LEGO Exclusive
Different parts: 240

What can I build with it?

View the official building instructions at LEGO® ↗

Parts list 240

As BrickLink list (XML)

Import on BrickLink: Wanted → Upload, upload the file (or paste its content), pick a Wanted List and add the parts.

Spare parts (21)

These extra parts come with the set in case one gets lost.

Description

Why the minifigure deserves a tribute

Since its introduction in 1978, the minifigure has given towns, castles, space bases and pirate ships their inhabitants. It turned building sets into playable worlds and became a design icon in its own right, instantly recognisable by its yellow face and simple smile. Set 40504 turns the tables and makes the figure the subject of the build. It is a nod to the brand's own history rather than to a film or a play theme, which gives it a particular appeal for long-time fans.

No minifigures in the box

It is a small irony that a tribute to the minifigure does not contain one. All 1,041 pieces are used for the model itself, so there are no extra figures to keep track of. The catalogue counts 240 unique parts, a wide selection for a model of this size. That points to a varied build with frequent changes of technique rather than long, repetitive sequences, and it makes the finished piece feel more detailed than the piece count alone might suggest.

Yellow, red, black and brown

Black, reddish brown, yellow and red make up the main palette. Yellow and red are the colours most people associate with classic minifigures and early sets, while black and brown frame them calmly. From a builder's point of view, the set is also a decent source of yellow, a colour that many collections have in surprisingly small quantities. The darker tones are easy to reuse in buildings, furniture and scenery.

Checking and reusing the inventory

The complete parts list on this page shows every element with its colour and quantity, which is useful for confirming that a pre-owned copy is complete or for spotting particular pieces. If you would rather put the parts to work in something new, What can I build? compares the inventory of 40504 with other sets and shows which of them you could rebuild fully or partly from the same stock of pieces.

FAQ

When did the minifigure first appear?: The minifigure was introduced in 1978, and this tribute set followed in 2023.
How many unique parts are in A Minifigure Tribute?: The 1,041 pieces are spread across 240 different parts.
Is the set more for play or display?: It is designed as a display piece that celebrates the history of the minifigure.

Reviews

No reviews yet. Build the set and tell others how you liked it.

Only signed-in users can write reviews, one per set. We check every review against our rules before it is published; we do not check whether the set was bought or built.