Top 10 Most Expensive CS2 Skins

With the release of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive in 2012, the following year would see an introduction into the world of cosmetic items, releasing gun skins for those in the community who wanted to add a sense of prestige to their game. The move towards Valve’s new Counter Strike 2 (2023) and incorporation of CS2 variation of skins with different patterns, wear levels, or rarity, has made skins appealing to Counter Strike’s enthusiastic fanbase. Additionally, having a platform such as the Steam marketplace has provided players a chance to sell the skins they unbox for a certain value, all being based on their unique features. Today, we will be exploring the most expensive skins in CS2, while detailing the characteristics that make these skins so valuable.

Karambit Case Hardened (Blue Gem): 1.5 Million +

Type: Covert
Min. Price: $1 Million +
Max. Price: $1.5 Million +

Finally, the most expensive skin within CS2 is a pattern 387 Blue Gem Karambit. Similar to the AK-47 Blue Gem, only one 387 Factory New pattern has ever been unboxed, which was in 2013. Despite the huge demand due to its rarity, the owner of this knife had turned down an offer of $1.5 Million in 2021. Therefore, it can be suggested that the value of this knife has increased past $2 million three years later.

AK-47 Case Hardened (661): $800,000 – $1 Million+

Type: Classified
Min. Price: $800,000
Max. Price: $1 Million +

While the regular AK-47 Case Hardened at most costs around $1000, one specific rare pattern is incomparable to this. This pattern is referred to as the “Blue Gem” describing the skin as having the maximum amount of shiny blue painted on the gun, this being the rarest pattern in the game. Most recently, a Factory New Pattern 661 version was unboxed for the first time since the skin’s release in 2013. As of right now, the price is valued at over one million, however, this could rise exponentially.

Souvenir AWP Dragon Lore: $50,000 – $400,000+

Type: Covert
Min. Price: $50,000
Max Price: $400,000+

The Dragon Lore is the most expensive AWP skin in the game, being brought in as part of the Cobblestone Collection in 2014. As well as the detailed gun design, a chance at unboxing a Souvenir Dragon Lore makes this skin insanely valuable. Just like many other collections, a limited availability means that getting this skin is extremely rare which only adds to the prestige of the Dragon Lore. Therefore, finding listings of this skin is extremely rare, with only six active Factory New offers, showing its price at $484,000.

Sport Gloves: Vice/Pandora’s Box (Factory New): $17,000 – $60,000+

Type: Extraordinary
Min. Price: $17,000
Max. Price: $60,000

The introduction of the Glove Case in 2016 involved sports gloves, being one type of many but arguably the most eye-catching gloves out of all, which significantly contributed to their high value. In particular, the purple and black Pandora Box Gloves gained notable popularity, being reflected in its Factory New pricing today, being close to $60,000. This is triple the price of the Vice Sport Gloves, which was introduced into CS:GO in 2018 as part of the Clutch Case, which has held up well-being at a Factory New price of around $20,000.

M9 Bayonet, Butterfly, Karambit – Doppler: Emerald/Sapphire/Ruby – $8000 – $20,000

Type: Covert
Min. Price: $8,000
Max Price: $20,000

Similar to the Crimson Web knives, Doppler knives have a variety of patterns that make this skin one of the most expensive in the game. This includes a clean color pattern such as Green Emerald, Blue Sapphire, or Red Ruby, preferably for the M9 Bayonet, Butterfly, or Karambit Knives. Any Factory New version of these knives is almost always priced above $10,000 as a minimum, while StatTrak versions may price these close to a maximum of $20,000. Either way, the chances of unboxing these unique patterns are very slim.

AWP Gungnir: $6000 – $15,000

Type: Covert
Min. Price: $6,000
Max. Price: $15,000

First introduced in 2019 as part of the Norse Collection, this skin holds the spot as the second most expensive AWP skin in the game. Just like the AK-47 Wild Lotus, the collection containing this skin is in short supply causing this rare skin to shoot up in price. A Factory New version of this gun would cost over $10,000 and close to $15,000 depending on the additional Holo stickers added on top of the gun skin. That being said, the lowest float of the skin is currently listed on CSFloat being priced at an incredible $80,000.

Factory New Crimson Web Knives: $5000 – $20,000

Type: Covert
Min. Price: $5,000
Max. Price: $20,000

Being the first knife to appear on the list, the Crimson Web knife. Although standard Factory New Crimson Web Knives typically price way below $5,000, the uniqueness and rarity of this skin come from unboxing a distinct pattern, with this being defined by the number of webs decorated on the gun. More specifically, this applies to the M9 Bayonet, introduced over a decade ago as the only knife in this category capable of featuring up to three webs as one of its pattern templates. This places the Factory New Crimson Web Knives at well over $10,000 reaching up to $20,000, again depending on the pattern.

M4A4 Howl: $3,000 – $20,000

Type: Contraband
Min. Price: $3,000
Max. Price: $20,000

This is the first and only M4A4 skin on the list. However, what makes this M4A4 so unique, is the fact that it is the only weapon skin in the game to be of the “Contraband” rarity. Furthermore, this skin was released as part of the Huntsman Collection in 2014 and removed only a month later due to copyright violations, making the skin only available from the Steam market or other third-party platforms. While a regular Factory New version of this skin can range up to $8,000, a StatTrak version could command up to $20,000. Astonishingly, an M4A4 Howl equipped with four rare Holo stickers sold for approximately $215,000 in 2020.

AK-47 Wild Lotus: $2,500 – $17,000

Type: Covert
Min. Price: $2,500
Max. Price: $17,000

Again, another covert AK-47 skin, also part of a collection, this time being the St. Marc Collection which was released in 2019. With the limited availability of this collection combined with an aesthetically pleasing design, the Wild Lotus is a desirable gun skin. However, today for a Factory New version, prices range between $11,000 to $17,000 making this the second most expensive AK-47 skin in the game. Only last year did a Wild Lotus containing four rare Holo stickers sell for a monster price of $160,000.

AK-47 Gold Arabesque (Souvenir) – $1,500 – $8,000

Type: Covert
Min. Price: $1,500
Max. Price: $8,000

First released in the Dust II Collection in 2021, this AK-47 skin is the only Covert Rifle in its collection. With a drop percentage of under 1%, the rarity of unboxing this dazzling skin cannot be understated. While a year into the Gold Arabesque’s release, the price sat at up to $2000, the removal of Dust II from the competitive map pool in November 2022, meant that this collection was no longer attainable causing the skin to become much rarer. Currently, a Souvenir Factory New version of this skin could price up to $8000.

To Conclude

Overall, the value of skins is deemed to be based on a couple of factors. First of all, Counter-Strike skins just like real life operates through supply and demand, resulting in skins from cases with limited supply being significantly rarer in the community market, something that stems from exclusive or limited-time events. Second of all, gun skins have various features that dictate their value, such as their skin rarity and their float value which players may consider, as they may potentially invest in skins that they believe might grow in value. To sum up, the continuous desirability for weapon skins from players is what grows CS2 into a business opportunity for individuals.

FAQ

What is the Most Expensive Skin in CS2?

The Karambit Case Hardened in Factory New is the most expensive skin in the game. This is due to the unique “Blue Gem” & 387 pattern that has only been unboxed once.

Why are CS2 Skins so Expensive?

CS2 skins have unique characteristics that vary with each skin. This includes the skin rarity or float, of which may be rare to unbox, making the value of the skin skyrocket in price.

What Makes CS2 Skins so Expensive?

Skins in CS2 are only obtainable from cases that are available for a limited amount of time, leading to prices shooting up over time. The limited availability of cases results in less of the specific skins involved being unboxed, therefore causing the rarity to increase.

What are the Most Expensive Restricted Skins in CS2?

The Glock 18 Fade in Factory New is the most expensive restricted skin, valued at around $1500, with the Desert Eagle Blaze in second at around $600.

Hassan Nouman

Published: Apr 11, 2024 19:21

Updated: Apr 12, 2024 23:04

Hello everyone! I'm Hassan Nouman, an eSports enthusiast from Lahore, Pakistan and currently based in London, UK. I'm excited to share my journey with you through the lens of an author deeply embedded in the world of competitive gaming. My tryst with gaming began in 2004, but it was FIFA that truly captured my heart. By 2010, I was playing FIFA competitively, and my dedication to the game was unparalleled. This passion led me to be the first Pakistani player to sign a professional contract with a club, a landmark achievement in my eSports career. I've played every version of FIFA since my discovery of the game, constantly adapting and evolving with each new release. In 2013, I transitioned from Xbox to PlayStation, a move that paralleled a shift in my academic pursuits as I chose to major in Electronics for my Bachelor of Science degree. This decision wasn't just about academic growth, it was a step towards integrating my love for gaming with my educational endeavours. Currently, I'm enriching my understanding of eSports through my master's studies in eSports Production at Confetti London, a part of Nottingham Trent University. I completed my research project proposal by presenting the integration of Augmented Reality in esports game titles. I'm exploring innovative ways to enhance gaming experiences through AR technology, aiming to push the boundaries of how we play and experience games. My journey isn't just about personal milestones. I've been an active participant in the evolution of eFootball in Pakistan, receiving recognition from the Pakistan Football Federation and coverage from various media outlets. As a professional eSports player for Muslim FC, my consistent performances in both online and offline tournaments led me to this prestigious position. Beyond playing, I've honed my skills in organising and managing eSports events, working with notable organisations like Battlefy, GameChampions, and The Game Company. These experiences have enriched my understanding of the eSports landscape, making me a versatile figure in this dynamic field. Music is another passion of mine, harmonising with my eSports career. Whether it's playing the Harmonium, Piano, or Guitar, or expressing myself through vocals, music remains a significant part of my life. It's not just a hobby. It's a creative outlet that complements my eSports journey. In summary, my life is a blend of eSports and music, with a heavy emphasis on the former. As an aspiring eSports author, I aim to bring my insights and experiences to a wider audience, hoping to inspire and connect with fellow gamers and enthusiasts. If you're as passionate about pushing the limits of eSports as I am, I invite you to join me on this exciting journey. Let's explore the infinite possibilities of gaming together!