A single AK-47 skin sold for over $1,000,000 in June 2024. A knife pattern has turned down offers north of $1.5 million and still hasn’t sold. Counter-Strike’s cosmetics market now generates transactions that rival those of fine watches and classic cars, and almost none of them work the way people assume.
Before the list, one distinction matters more than any other: a confirmed sale, a reported private transaction, and a valuation are not the same thing. Several items below have genuinely changed hands for six- or seven-figure sums. Others carry eye-popping price tags because a collector rejected an offer, not because anyone actually paid it. This guide labels every entry accordingly, so you know exactly what you’re looking at.
How We Ranked the Most Expensive CS2 Items
Counter-Strike’s high-end trading market runs mostly through private deals, trusted middlemen, and screenshot-based verification rather than a public ledger. That makes precise ranking harder than it looks.
We use five labels throughout this guide, and we stick to them consistently:
| Evidence | Wording used |
|---|---|
| Confirmed transaction | Sold for |
| Reported private transaction | Reportedly sold for |
| Collector valuation | Estimated at |
| Rejected or standing offer | Received an offer of |
| Active marketplace listing | Listed for |
An item “worth $2 million” because someone turned down $1.5 million is not the same as an item that sold for $1 million in a documented deal. We flag the difference every time, because conflating the two is where most price lists go wrong.
Quick Answer: The Most Expensive CS2 Items at a Glance
| Rank | Item | Price | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Karambit | Case Hardened #387 (FN) | $1.5M–$2M+ | Estimated / offer rejected |
| 2 | AK-47 | Case Hardened #661 (ST FN) | $1M+ | Confirmed sale, June 2024 |
| 3 | Souvenir AWP | Dragon Lore (FN) | $300K–$400K+ | Estimated |
| 4 | M4A4 | Howl (ST FN + 4x iBUYPOWER Holo) | $100K reported, appreciated since | Reported sale, 2020 |
| 5 | AWP | Dragon Lore (FN + 4x Titan Holo) | $250K–$500K+ | Estimated |
| 6 | AWP | Dragon Lore (FN + 4x iBUYPOWER Holo) | $265,000 | Reported sale, June 2023 |
| 7 | AK-47 | Fire Serpent (FN + 4x iBUYPOWER Holo) | $150K–$250K+ | Estimated |
| 8 | AK-47 | Wild Lotus (FN + 4x Reason Holo) | $100,000+ | Confirmed marketplace sale, 2025 |
| 9 | AK-47 | Vulcan (FN + 4x Titan Holo) | $80K–$120K+ | Estimated |
| 10 | AK-47 | Redline (FT + 4x iBUYPOWER Holo) | $60K–$100K+ | Estimated |
Prices fluctuate with collector demand, marketplace liquidity, and the availability of comparable items. Treat every figure here as a snapshot, not a permanent number.
30 Most Expensive CS:GO & CS2 Items Ever Sold
1. Karambit | Case Hardened, Pattern #387 (Blue Gem)
Estimated value: $1.5 million–$2 million+
Condition: Factory New
Pattern: #387
StatTrak: No
Status: Rejected offers, no confirmed public sale
This Karambit carries near-total blue coverage on the playside, the rarest possible result from the Case Hardened finish’s random color distribution. Community estimates put the odds of unboxing this exact combination at roughly 1 in 131 million. In September 2021, the owner turned down an offer of around 1.2 million euros, reportedly paid in Bitcoin, calling it “too low.” No sale has ever been publicly confirmed, so every dollar figure attached to it is a valuation or a rejected bid, never a completed deal.
2. AK-47 | Case Hardened, Pattern #661 (StatTrak, Factory New)
Reported price: Sold for over $1,000,000
Condition: Factory New
Pattern: #661
StatTrak: Yes
Collection: CS:GO Weapon Case
This is the largest documented completed transaction in Counter-Strike’s history. Brokered by well-known middlemen Sam “roflm0nster” Alexander and Oliver “zipel” Behrensdorff, the deal closed on June 5, 2024, after the seller had already rejected several $1 million offers. The final number sits somewhere between $1 million and $1.5 million and was never disclosed exactly. Pattern #661 produces an almost fully blue receiver, and the odds of finding it in this exact StatTrak Factory New combination are estimated near 0.000005%.
3. Souvenir AWP | Dragon Lore (Factory New, elite signatures)
Estimated value: $300,000–$400,000+
Condition: Factory New
Key stickers: Gold Major-tournament autographs (e.g., s1mple, kennyS tier)
Collection: Cobblestone Souvenir Package
Souvenir Dragon Lores in Factory New condition are believed to number around 15 worldwide. Souvenir packages are only available during Major broadcasts, and each one includes autograph stickers from the players competing that week. A copy signed by an elite MVP-caliber player commands the steepest premium of any Dragon Lore variant, souvenir or standard.
4. M4A4 | Howl (StatTrak, Factory New, 4x iBUYPOWER Holo)
Reported price: Reportedly sold for $100,000
Condition: Factory New
StatTrak: Yes
Key stickers: 4x iBUYPOWER (Holo) Katowice 2014
Collection: Huntsman Weapon Case
Howl is the only Contraband-rarity skin in Counter-Strike, pulled from cases after a copyright dispute in 2014 and never reissued. That permanent supply lock, stacked with StatTrak, Factory New condition, and four of the game’s most iconic stickers, produced a reported $100,000 sale in 2020. Given how iBUYPOWER Holo prices have climbed since, community estimates now place a comparable craft well above that original figure.
5. AWP | Dragon Lore (Factory New, 4x Titan Holo)
Estimated value: $250,000–$500,000+
Condition: Factory New
Key stickers: 4x Titan (Holo) Katowice 2014
Collection: Operation Breakout Weapon Case
Dragon Lore is Counter-Strike’s most recognizable skin, and pairing a clean Factory New copy with four Titan Holo stickers creates one of the most prestigious crafts in the game. A single Titan Holo alone trades for well over $100,000, so four of them can outvalue the base weapon several times over. No single sale price is confirmed for this exact combination; the range reflects the collectors’ consensus rather than a documented sale.
6. AWP | Dragon Lore (Factory New, 4x iBUYPOWER Holo)
Reported price: Reportedly sold for $265,000
Condition: Factory New
Key stickers: 4x iBUYPOWER (Holo) Katowice 2014
Collection: Operation Breakout Weapon Case
An anonymous Chinese buyer purchased this craft in June 2023. At the time, single iBUYPOWER Holos traded for roughly $60,000–$70,000 apiece, meaning the stickers alone accounted for most of the price. Because sticker prices have risen since then, a comparable copy would likely sell for considerably more today.
7. AK-47 | Fire Serpent (Factory New, 4x iBUYPOWER Holo)
Estimated value: $150,000–$250,000+
Condition: Factory New
Key stickers: 4x iBUYPOWER (Holo) Katowice 2014
Collection: Original Arms Deal-era drop
Fire Serpent was one of the first skins to develop a genuine collector following, thanks to its gold Mesoamerican serpent design. Four red iBUYPOWER Holos against the skin’s gold accents create one of the more visually distinct high-end crafts, and multiple copies exist with varying float and sticker wear.
8. AK-47 | Wild Lotus (Factory New, 4x Reason Holo)
Reported price: Sold for over $100,000
Condition: Factory New
Key stickers: 4x Reason Gaming (Holo) Katowice 2014
Wild Lotus has an unusually small supply for a modern AK-47 finish, with fewer than 3,000 copies believed to exist. Pairing it with four scarce Reason Holo stickers produced one of the highest publicly documented AK-47 craft sales, transacted directly through an open marketplace in 2025 rather than a private middleman deal.
9. AK-47 | Vulcan (Factory New, 4x Titan Holo)
Estimated value: $80,000–$120,000+
Condition: Factory New
Key stickers: 4x Titan (Holo) Katowice 2014
Vulcan is not an especially rare base skin on its own, which makes this craft a clear demonstration of the “sticker multiplier” effect. Four Titan Holos, each worth six figures combined, turn a mid-tier AK into a five- or six-figure item almost entirely on sticker value.
10. AK-47 | Redline (Field-Tested, 4x iBUYPOWER Holo)
Estimated value: $60,000–$100,000+
Condition: Field-Tested
Key stickers: 4x iBUYPOWER (Holo) Katowice 2014
Here’s a more polished version that keeps the point but avoids overstating the claim:
The AK-47 | Redline is one of Counter-Strike’s most recognizable examples of how stickers can completely change an item’s value. A regular Field-Tested Redline is relatively inexpensive compared with high-end collector skins, but adding four iBUYPOWER Holo | Katowice 2014 stickers can turn an otherwise ordinary weapon into a highly sought-after collector piece.
That price gap comes from the stickers, not the AK-47 itself. iBUYPOWER Holos from Katowice 2014 are among the most coveted discontinued stickers in the game, and only a limited number remain available through existing inventories. A Redline carrying four of them can therefore command a five-figure price, showing how sticker rarity, placement, condition, and collector demand can outweigh the value of the underlying skin.
11. Sport Gloves | Pandora’s Box (Factory New)
Estimated value: $60,000–$80,000+
Condition: Factory New
Factory New gloves are difficult to find across the CS2 market, and Sport Gloves | Pandora’s Box are particularly desirable in pristine condition. Their deep purple finish, combined with the clean appearance of a low-float Factory New pair, makes them one of the standout glove combinations for collectors.
The appeal goes beyond condition. High-end collectors often build coordinated inventories around Pandora’s Box, pairing the purple gloves with premium knife finishes such as Doppler Sapphire or other blue and purple-themed patterns. Exceptionally clean examples with desirable floats can therefore command a substantial premium over more common Pandora’s Box pairs.
12. Specialist Gloves | Crimson Kimono (Factory New, full red)
Estimated value: $40,000–$60,000+
Condition: Factory New
Crimson Kimono is especially interesting because both its float and its pattern can noticeably impact its appearance and value. Lower-float examples tend to preserve brighter red tones and cleaner details, making them much more desirable to collectors. Recent 2026 market data puts standard Factory New examples around the $8,000–$9,000 range, while exceptional patterns can command a significant premium.
The real prize is a Max Red pattern, in which the crimson coverage is unusually strong on both gloves. Pattern #560 is widely regarded as the standout example, with #208, #458, #684, and #932 also considered top-tier patterns. For these gloves, the combination of strong red coverage and an exceptionally low float can push the price far beyond an ordinary Crimson Kimono.
13. M9 Bayonet | Crimson Web (Factory New, 3-web)
Estimated value: $30,000–$50,000+
Condition: Factory New
Pattern: Triple-web
Here’s a cleaner, more natural version that keeps the technical detail without making the rarity claim too absolute:
The Crimson Web pattern index affects the placement and visibility of the red web markings across the blade. Some patterns produce larger, more centred webs that are far more appealing to collectors than the typical scattered markings. When a knife combines a desirable web pattern with an exceptionally low float and Factory New condition, its value can rise well above that of a standard Crimson Web example.
For collectors, it is the overall combination that matters: pattern placement, float, condition, and the number and position of visible webs. A particularly clean blade with prominent centered webs can therefore command a significant premium in the CS2 market.
14. Karambit | Crimson Web (Factory New, 2-web)
Estimated value: $25,000–$45,000+
Condition: Factory New
Pattern: Double-web
The Karambit | Crimson Web has a relatively tight Factory New float range, with eligible examples starting around 0.06. That already limits the number of pristine copies available on the market. Add a desirable web pattern and an exceptionally low float, and the pool becomes considerably smaller, which helps explain why standout Factory New examples can command a substantial premium over ordinary Crimson Web Karambits.
15. AWP | Gungnir (Factory New, 0.000x float)
Estimated value: $25,000–$35,000+
Condition: Factory New
The AWP | Gungnir was never available through a standard weapon case. It came from the limited Norse Collection, which gives the skin a much smaller supply than case-based drops. That scarcity becomes even more pronounced with an exceptionally low float near 0.000, where the finish appears especially clean. For collectors, the combination of limited supply, near-perfect condition, and an unusually low float can place an elite Gungnir well above the price of a typical Factory New example.
16. AK-47 | Case Hardened, Pattern #321 (Factory New)
Estimated value: $20,000–$35,000+
Condition: Factory New
Pattern: #321
Pattern #321 is generally regarded as a strong Blue Gem pattern, with substantial blue coverage across the weapon while falling short of the exceptional level associated with #661. Its appeal comes from the way the blue areas are distributed, giving the Case Hardened finish a much more distinctive look than typical patterns. For collectors, #321 remains a highly desirable pattern, particularly when paired with a clean condition and a low float.
17. Souvenir M4A1-S | Knight (Factory New)
Estimated value: $15,000–$25,000+
Condition: Factory New
Collection: Cobblestone Souvenir Package
The AWP | Knight was exclusive to Souvenir Cobblestone packages, making its supply fundamentally different from skins that could be obtained through regular cases. As Cobblestone was removed from the active competitive map pool and the related Souvenir drops ended, no new Knight skins entered circulation through that source. Factory New examples are therefore particularly scarce, and clean, low-float copies can command a substantial premium among collectors.
18. Butterfly Knife | Doppler Sapphire (Factory New)
Estimated value: $15,000–$20,000+
Condition: Factory New
Pattern: Sapphire phase
The Butterfly Knife | Doppler Sapphire combines one of Counter-Strike’s most sought-after knife models with one of the rarest Doppler phases. Its deep blue appearance and relatively limited supply make clean Factory New examples particularly attractive to collectors. Because the Butterfly Knife already commands strong demand, Sapphire examples can reach five-figure prices when the float, pattern, and overall condition are especially desirable.
19. AK-47 | Wild Lotus (Factory New, ultra-low float, no stickers)
Estimated value: $18,000–$25,000+
Condition: Factory New
Even without expensive stickers, a Factory New AK-47 | Wild Lotus can command a substantial premium because of its limited supply and strong collector demand. Its distinctive floral design and restricted availability make clean, low-float examples particularly desirable. When an exceptionally low-float copy appears on the market, it can attract buyers quickly, especially when the condition is close to the best possible range for the skin.
20. Karambit | Doppler Sapphire (Factory New, 0.00x float)
Estimated value: $12,000–$18,000
Condition: Factory New
Pattern: Sapphire phase
The Karambit | Doppler Sapphire combines one of Counter-Strike’s most iconic knife models with the highly sought-after Sapphire phase. Its rich blue finish gives the blade a clean, consistent appearance, while the Karambit’s popularity keeps collector demand strong. Unlike Case Hardened knives, where individual pattern indexes can create major price differences, Sapphire examples are less dependent on pattern variations, so condition and float tend to play a larger role in determining value.
#21–30: Five-Figure Legends
| Rank | Item | Estimated value | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | Karambit | Marble Fade, 1st-Max Fire & Ice | $10,000–$15,000+ | Knife |
| 22 | Butterfly Knife | Doppler Ruby (FN) | $10,000–$14,000 | Knife |
| 23 | Souvenir AK-47 | Gold Arabesque (FN) | $15,000–$20,000+ | Rifle |
| 24 | Butterfly Knife | Crimson Web, 2-web (FN) | $10,000–$15,000+ | Knife |
| 25 | M4A4 | Howl (FN, clean float, no stickers) | $8,000–$12,000 | Rifle |
| 26 | Butterfly Knife | Gamma Doppler Emerald (FN) | $8,000–$12,000 | Knife |
| 27 | Karambit | Gamma Doppler Emerald (FN) | $7,000–$12,000 | Knife |
| 28 | Sport Gloves | Hedge Maze (FN) | $8,000–$15,000 | Gloves |
| 29 | AK-47 | Fire Serpent, StatTrak (FN) | $25,000–$40,000 | Rifle |
| 30 | AWP | Dragon Lore, Standard (FN, no stickers) | $12,800+ | Rifle |
What Makes CS2 Skins So Expensive?
No single factor decides a skin’s value. Price comes from a combination of rarity, condition, pattern, StatTrak status, applied stickers, and provenance, stacked on top of each other.
Skin rarity
Every skin has a fixed drop chance from its source case or collection, and some paths, like Souvenir packages or discontinued cases, close permanently over time. A closed supply with steady demand moves prices in only one direction.
Float value and condition
Float measures how worn a skin looks, from Factory New to Battle-Scarred. Lower floats generally look cleaner, and exceptionally low floats within the Factory New range can command a real premium on their own, separate from anything else about the item.
Pattern index
Skins like Case Hardened and Doppler use a hidden pattern seed that determines exact colour placement. Two copies of the same skin, same wear, same everything else, can differ in price by six figures purely because of which pattern number they carry. Pattern #661 on the AK-47 and #387 on the Karambit are the two most famous examples in the game.
StatTrak status
StatTrak versions track confirmed kills and typically drop at lower rates than standard copies. That scarcity alone usually adds a meaningful multiplier to an already valuable skin.
Stickers and sticker crafts
A sticker can be worth more than the weapon it sits on. Discontinued tournament holos, especially from Katowice 2014, routinely trade for tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars apiece, and four of them on one weapon can dwarf the base skin’s value entirely.
Supply and historical availability
Some items, like Howl, were pulled from circulation entirely. Others belong to older cases that Valve stopped selling years ago. Either way, a fixed and shrinking supply against a growing player base pushes prices upward over time.
What Is the Most Expensive CS2 Skin?
By confirmed sale, it’s the StatTrak AK-47 | Case Hardened, pattern #661, which changed hands for over $1,000,000 in June 2024. Based on private valuations and rejected offers, the Karambit | Case Hardened Blue Gem, pattern #387, is widely considered even more valuable, with estimates ranging from $1.5 million to $2 million. The two are often confused because both are called “the most expensive CS2 skin” depending on which standard a source applies.
What Is a Blue Gem in CS2?
A Blue Gem is a Case Hardened weapon skin whose random pattern lands with unusually heavy, evenly spread blue colouring across the receiver or blade. Most Case Hardened items show a mix of gold, purple, and blue, so a near-total blue result is statistically rare.
The system works via a pattern index: a hidden seed number assigned when the skin is generated that determines exactly how the colour zones fall. Collectors have spent over a decade cataloging which pattern numbers produce the strongest blue coverage on each weapon model. Pattern #661 on the AK-47 and #387 on the Karambit sit at the top of those lists, and both now function almost like grading numbers in trading-card collecting: say the number, and serious collectors instantly know what you mean.
Why Are Katowice 2014 Stickers So Valuable?
The Katowice 2014 Major arrived early in Counter-Strike’s esports history, when the player base was far smaller than it is today. Fewer people bought sticker capsules that year, which means far fewer Katowice 2014 holo stickers exist compared with stickers from any Major since.
Two teams from that event, Titan and iBUYPOWER, produced the two most expensive individual stickers in the entire game. Both have traded for well over $100,000 as single, unapplied items. iBUYPOWER’s holo carries additional cultural weight tied to the team’s later match-fixing scandal, which paradoxically increased demand rather than killing it. Applying four of either sticker to a popular base skin, like an AK-47 or a Dragon Lore, routinely produces the six-figure crafts that dominate the upper half of this list.
CS:GO vs. CS2: Are These Still CS:GO Skins?
Yes, functionally. Counter-Strike 2 replaced CS:GO in 2023, but Valve carried every existing skin, sticker, and knife directly into player inventories. Nothing was reissued or reset. A Dragon Lore unboxed in 2015 is the same item, with the same pattern and float, sitting in a CS2 inventory today. The economy continued under a new game engine, which is why record sales from the CS:GO era still count toward CS2’s all-time rankings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most expensive CS2 skin ever sold?
The StatTrak AK-47 | Case Hardened #661, which sold for over $1,000,000 in a confirmed private transaction on June 5, 2024.
What is the rarest CS2 skin?
Rarity and price don’t always align. Pattern-locked Blue Gems like the Karambit #387 are effectively one-of-one in practice, since no identical copy can exist, but several Souvenir skins have smaller total supply counts overall.
What is a Blue Gem in CS2?
A Case Hardened skin whose random pattern produces unusually heavy, evenly distributed blue colouring, considered the most prestigious colour result the finish can generate.
What is the most expensive CS2 knife?
The Karambit | Case Hardened Blue Gem, pattern #387, is currently estimated between $1.5 million and $2 million, though it has never been sold at a confirmed public price.
Why are CS2 skins so expensive?
A mix of fixed and shrinking supply, hidden pattern rarity, condition premiums, and sticker scarcity, all layered onto items that also carry genuine status within a global player community.
Are expensive CS2 skins a good investment?
Collectors may pay significant premiums for scarce patterns and discontinued stickers, though CS2 skin prices can fluctuate considerably, and the highest-value items rarely trade often enough to establish a reliable market price.
The Bottom Line
The most expensive CS2 items rarely come from the rarest base skins alone. Their value builds from rarity, pattern, float, stickers, condition, and provenance stacking together, often on weapons that started out fairly ordinary. Blue Gems and Katowice 2014 crafts sit at the centre of that story, and both continue to set new benchmarks as the collector market matures. Whatever record stands today, this market has broken it before, and it likely will again.
