CS:GO is a popular first-person shooter game known for its precise gunplay and strategic gameplay. Its longevity can also be attributed to its extensive trading market, which allows players to customize their weapons, characters, and other in-game items with skins, badges, cases, and stickers.
Even though CS:GO will soon be replaced by Counter-Strike 2, all skins will transfer to the new game. The announcement of CS2 caused skin prices to skyrocket.
For a new player, the multitude of skins and their high prices may be overwhelming. However, it's worth understanding what makes a skin valuable and why some players are willing to pay exorbitant prices. Let's explore the most expensive skins in the game.
10. AK-47 Gold Arabesque (Souvenir) – $1,200 – $10,000
The Gold Arabesque is a very flashy skin in CS:GO, but it used to be quite affordable at under $2,000 because it was abundant in Souvenir cases. However, when Dust2 was taken out of the map pool in CS:GO, the price of Souvenir Gold Arabesques significantly increased.
Currently, a Factory New souvenir version of this skin is expected to cost more than $5,000.
9. AK-47 Wild Lotus: $2,500-$20,000
Despite being a relatively recent addition to the game, having been released in 2019, the Wild Lotus skin belongs to the St. Marc collection and is extremely rare. Only a limited number of them, less than 3,000 in total, are currently in circulation.
Moreover, the skin's appearance is stunning, which adds to its appeal. To obtain a Factory New version of the Wild Lotus skin, one would have to spend more than $8,000. In March 2023, a Wild Lotus skin with four Reason Holo stickers was sold for more than $160,000.
8. AWP Gungnir: $6,000 – $18,000
The Gungnir skin is a relatively new addition to CS:GO, having been introduced in 2019 as part of the Norse collection. Currently, there are only around 3,300 of them in circulation. It has now taken the place of the Desert Hydra as the second priciest AWP skin in the game.
Even a heavily damaged version of this skin can cost thousands of dollars, but for a brand new version, the price can go above $8,000, and some listings go beyond $12,000 at the moment.
7. Factory New Crimson Web knives: $8,000+
Similar to Doppler knives, Crimson Web knives can be sold for more than $10,000, provided that they are in Factory New condition, have StatTrak, and feature the correct pattern. Among them, M9 Bayonet Crimson Webs have been sold for over $14,000 in the past.
The positioning of the webs on the skin is also crucial, making the pattern an essential factor for these knives. Additionally, Factory New Crimson Webs are rare, and they retain the majority of their paint, making them highly desirable.
Although Karambits are the most coveted type of knife, some people prefer the sleek appearance of the M9 Bayonet. One individual, for instance, spent nearly $15,000 to purchase a Factory New Crimson Web version of this knife.
6. Karambit / Butterfly / M9 Bayonet: Sapphire – $11,000 – $22,000
The value of doppler knives varies greatly depending on the phase they are in. However, if you're looking for a ruby or sapphire knife, be prepared to spend a considerable amount of money.
Sapphire, ruby, and other similar-colored doppler knives, particularly Karambits, Butterfly Knives, and M9 Bayonets, are typically the most expensive and can cost over $10,000. With the release of Counter-Strike 2, the prices of these skins have skyrocketed, reaching over $20,000 in some instances, as they appear even better in the new game.
5. Sport Gloves: Vice / Pandora’s Box (Factory New): $20,000+
The Sport Gloves were part of the original 17 gloves added to CS:GO during the Glove Case update. Among the different types of gloves available, the most valuable are the vibrant and colorful Sport Gloves. The Vice gloves, particularly the purple Pandora’s box variant, are usually the most expensive.
A pair of these gloves in Factory New condition can fetch prices as high as $20,000, but for gloves with a lower wear level, the range is typically between $1,000 and $6,000. The reason for such high prices is that Factory New Sport Gloves are exceptionally rare, with only 92 pairs of Factory New Vice Gloves in existence.
4. M4A4 Howl: $2,000 – $30,000+
The M4A4 Howl is a unique skin in Counter-Strike, as it is the only skin in the game with the "Contraband" classification due to the controversy surrounding the artwork ownership. This makes it extremely rare.
While some versions with more wear and tear and without any stickers can be purchased for less than $5,000, a Factory New version with StatTrak can be sold for as much as $30,000. Moreover, if it has expensive stickers attached, it can go for over $100,000.
In 2020, a Factory New StatTrak M4A4 Howl with four iBuyPower Holo stickers sold for over $100,000, and it is likely to have appreciated in value since then.
3. AK-47 Case Hardened (661): $30,000-$100,000+
Case Hardened skins for the AK-47 can also be sold for very high prices, depending on the pattern, similar to Case Hardened knives. While most AK-47 Case Hardened skins are usually priced at a few hundred dollars, the ones with pattern number 661 can be worth an estimated $30,000-$35,000, as it has the coveted 'blue gem' appearance over most of the weapon's visible area.
If Titan stickers are added to this AK, the price can skyrocket to over $100,000. One example of a blue gem AK with stickers was even listed for over $400,000 in 2022.
2. Souvenir AWP Dragon Lore: $100,000+
While there are various expensive skins available for the AWP in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, the Dragon Lore is often considered the priciest. Souvenir versions of this skin are the most expensive and can sell for over $100,000, particularly if they are Factory New. These Souvenir skins serve as memorabilia for specific esports matches and come with golden stickers featuring the teams and event. Presently, only 114 Souvenir AWP Dragon Lores are available in the market.
1. Karambit Case Hardened (Blue Gem): $2 million+
The Factory New, blue gem pattern 387 Case Hardened Karambit is a highly sought-after skin, with an almost legendary status. It was purchased in 2016 for slightly over $100,000, but its value has increased substantially since then.
Although it has not been sold recently, the owner received an offer of €1.2m (equivalent to around $1.5m USD at the time), which they declined. This suggests that the skin's current value is likely to be higher than $1.5 million USD. In fact, given the passage of time, it is probable that the skin is currently worth more than $2 million USD.
One of the reasons for the skin's high value is its extreme rarity. The odds of obtaining the same knife from cases are approximately 1 in 371 million. Additionally, it has the best possible pattern, with a blue gem appearance, and is the only one available in Factory New condition.
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