The Most Expensive Skins Ever in CS2

Karambit Case Hardened Blue Gem

• Estimated Auction Price: $1.5 million

Speculated to be the most expensive skin in Counter-Strike 2, this ridiculous rare Case Hardened Karambit Factory New has never been sold to date. Only one has ever been discovered in the history of the game, and its current value remains unknown. Given the fact that another has yet to be found, it’s safe to say its worth has only increased over time.

Stattrak Factor New #661 Scar Pattern AK-47

• Estimated Auction Price: $800K to $1 million

One of the most recently unboxed skins in Counter-Strike 2, it’s speculated that this particular variant could fetch anywhere between $800K and $1 million if it were to go up for auction. What makes this particular skin so special is the #661 Scar Pattern, which has reportedly not appeared in the game for over a decade, making this one hideously rare rifle. Yet somehow, it’s still not the most expensive skin in Counter-Strike 2.

Souvenir AWP Dragon Lore

• Price: $477,055

The AWP Dragon Lore Souvenir skin stands as the ultimate prize for any AWP enthusiast. It ranks among the priciest items in Counter-Strike 2, commanding values upwards of $150,000 on the marketplace. Even its less pristine Battle-Scarred and Well-Worn versions fetch tens of thousands of dollars. Currently, there’s a single unit available for purchase, challenging even the most dedicated collectors with its staggering price tag.

Sports Gloves Pandora’s Box

• Price: $50,000 to $60,000 per pair

Given the fact that there are only 29 Factory New Sports Gloves with the Pandora’s Box skin, it stands to reason that they’d fetch a high price on the marketplace. As pointed out by Dexerto, there’s a similar pattern of Sports Gloves known as the Vice skin, which also prices out at around $20,000 a piece, but given the fact that there are 117 of them available, the price is never going to realistically compete with the Pandora’s Box version.

AWP Gungnir

• Price: $12,500

The AWP is the grand-daddy of sniper rifles in Counter-Strike 2, so it makes sense that players who want to look good while popping heads would need to pay a decent amount. Even the less coveted Battle-Scarred variant costs around $7,000. We’re firmly in the territory of outlandish skin prices now, people.

Butterfly Knife Lore

• Price:
  • Factory New: $9,000 to $10,000
  • Well-Worn and Battle-Scarred variants: a few hundred dollars each

The first knife on our list – and one that kind of reminds me of a rather unappetizing banana – is the Lore skin for the Butterfly Knife. You can pick up less expensive Well-Worn and Battle-Scarred variants for a few hundred each, but those are significantly more common.

Taking a look at the recent sales stats, the price of the Factory New is also steadily rising, meaning players who may have one of these in their possession may want to sit on it for a while if they have plans to sell it off.

M4A4 Howl

• Price: $15,000.

Taking a break from the AK-47s for a while, the next item on our bidding list is the M4A4 Howl, a positively badass skin that fetches a staggering price of over $15,000. However, that’s only with certain stickers applied to it. Without those, you’re looking to pay around $8,000 for a Factory New variant. Toss on a StatTrak, and you’re looking at roughly $13,000. There was some controversy surrounding the artwork for this skin, though, resulting in it earning the Contraband grading, further ramping the price.

AK-47 Wild Lotus

• Price Range:
  • Minimal Damage: around $12,000.
  • Battle-Scarred or Well-Worn versions: between $3,500 and $4,700.

What a shock! Yet another AK-47 on this list of the most expensive skins in Counter-Strike 2. The Wild Lotus skin, one of the more visually appealing aesthetics in the game, if you ask me, is likely to fetch around $12,000 for a Minimal Damage Covert Rifle variant. You can pick them up cheaper if you’re okay settling for a Battle-Scarred or Well-Worn version, but even those will cost between $3,500 and $4,700. It’s significantly cheaper, but if you’re spending that kind of money on in-game weapon skins, you might as well go whole hog, right? If you’re going to town, you may as well go in an Aston.

AK-47 Gold Arabesque

• Price: $9,400.

Another flashy AK-47, the Gold Arabesque skin covers the weapon in a layer of gold so that players can really stand out from the rest of their team. If you’re trying to maintain a low profile while defusing the bomb, then you might want to try something a little more subtle. In any case, if you want to purchase the Factory New Covert version (Covert is generally considered the rarest tier in Counter-Strike 2) of the AK-47 Gold Arabesque, then you’re looking to fork over approximately $9,400.

However, there is an even more expensive version: The Gold Arabesque Souvenir AK-47, which costs just over $11,000. What’s a Souvenir? Basically, it’s any weapon that’s obtained by watching a major Counter-Strike 2 tournament. They’re incredibly rare, so obviously, they’re worth a decent chunk of change.

Stattrak AK-47 Fire Serpent

• Price: $4,200.

The AK-47 crops up multiple times on this list due to its popularity in Counter-Strike 2. Coupled with its status as one of the most sought-after skins, it's no surprise that players are willing to invest in these glamorous variants. According to Skinport, an online trading hub for Counter-Strike 2 skins, the value of these skins has been steadily climbing in the early weeks of 2024, suggesting further inflation if the current trajectory continues.