The Pirate Monkey Is Trending…What Do We Know About The Silly Minifigure?
For starters, the yellow-handed and yellow-footed brown Monkey was primarily a part of the LEGO® Pirates theme. If you’re into LEGO® primates, be sure to also check out the black monkey minifig accessory. This iconic, but tumultuous LEGO® theme began in 1989, released sets until 1996, then came back in 2002, rereleased some sets in 2009, and culminated with a few new set releases in 2015.
When did the LEGO® 2550c01 first get released?
The first of its kind was released in LEGO® set 6235 alongside a pirate minifigure on a small island. Despite being a tiny figure, it’s not quite the smallest LEGO piece ever made!
Why is LEGO® 2550c01 Such A Cool Minifigure?
I mean, come on, it’s an adorable monkey! Plus, it’s pretty silly looking and I feel as if a collection of these would be hysterical for a Wizard of Oz MOC. If you end up with extras, here’s a handy guide on how to sell LEGO minifigures. You can still snag yours off of Amazon!
Every Set the 2550c01 Monkey Has Appeared In
What makes the 2550c01 so interesting is just how many sets it’s popped up in over the years. This isn’t some one-and-done accessory — LEGO kept bringing this little guy back across multiple themes and decades. Here’s a rundown of the major appearances.
Pirates (1989–2015) — This is where it all started. The monkey first appeared in set 6235 (Buried Treasure) and went on to show up in dozens of Pirates sets including the legendary 6285 Black Seas Barracuda, 6270 Forbidden Island, and 6278 Enchanted Island. If you owned any Pirates set from the late ’80s or ’90s, chances are you had one of these monkeys sitting on a pirate’s shoulder.
Adventurers (1998–2003) — LEGO’s Indiana Jones-style Adventurers theme borrowed the monkey for jungle and desert expedition sets. It made sense — what’s an adventure without a monkey companion? Sets like 5986 Amazon Ancient Ruins featured the 2550c01 in tropical settings.
Other appearances — The monkey also showed up in select Castle, Creator, and even a few promotional sets over the years. LEGO clearly knew they had a winner with this mold and kept finding excuses to include it. The part was produced for over 25 years, which is a remarkable run for any LEGO animal accessory. For context, most LEGO sets only stay on shelves for 2–3 years before retirement.
If you’re trying to track down a specific variant, BrickLink is your best resource — they catalog every color variation and set appearance. Loose monkeys in good condition typically run $2–$5, making this one of the most affordable collectible LEGO animals out there. Not a bad deal for a piece of LEGO history that’s been around since the Berlin Wall came down.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is LEGO 2550c01?
LEGO 2550c01 is the part number for the brown monkey minifigure accessory with yellow hands and feet. It was primarily associated with the LEGO Pirates theme and first appeared in 1989 in set 6235 (Buried Treasure).
How much is a LEGO 2550c01 monkey worth?
Loose copies in good condition typically sell for $2–$5 on BrickLink. Sealed or new-condition examples from rare sets can go slightly higher, but this is generally an affordable collectible piece.
What sets did the LEGO monkey come in?
The 2550c01 appeared in over 20 sets across the Pirates, Adventurers, Castle, and Creator themes between 1989 and 2015. Notable sets include 6285 Black Seas Barracuda, 6270 Forbidden Island, and 6278 Enchanted Island.
Is the LEGO pirate monkey still being produced?
The original 2550c01 mold is no longer in active production. However, LEGO has released updated monkey molds in newer sets. The classic brown-with-yellow-hands version is only available on the secondary market through BrickLink, eBay, or Amazon.
