CS2 has been released, and is not only shaking up the FPS world, but also disrupting the Steam Market’s ecosystem. This article will go over the skins which dominate the marketplace now that the next iteration of Counter-Strike is out.
In the world of Counter-Strike, skins aren't just cosmetic enhancements but virtual commodities that can be sold for huge amounts of money. From rare blue gem patterns to discontinued contraband items, many CS2 skins are worth thousands of dollars.
In this article, we will highlight the most expensive and valuable skins in CS2 that everyone wants to have.
One of the many things that make skin trading in CS2 complex is that some skins have unique patterns. Sometimes, these unique patterns are sought after and thus the price of the skin skyrockets. And, in the case of the Karambit Case Hardened pattern #387, there is only one that has ever been unboxed in Factory New condition which drives the price up even further.
The last time it was sold, it was purchased for about $100,000. Recently, the owner rejected an offer to buy it for $1.5 million. So, while we can’t put an official value on it, it is safe to say that it is currently worth somewhere around $2 million.
Source: https://csgobluegem.com/karambit-knife/karambit-seed-pattern-387/
Known affectionately as the “D-Lore” to many players, anyone who has played Counter-Strike within the last decade knows the Dragon Lore. It was released in 2014 with Operation Breakout and has only gone up in price since. The two main reasons for its high price tag are its Souvenir quality (although a non-souvenir version does exist), and its currently discontinued status.
“Souvenir” is a classification assigned to a restricted set of weapon finishes that can only be obtained from souvenir packages. These particular items are distinguished by the Souvenir prefix and are identifiable by a yellow frame and text on the Steam platform.
The only way to get Cobblestone souvenir packages (the package that had the potential to produce a Souvenir Dragon Lore) was to get them randomly dropped to you while watching Majors. In 2018, Valve removed Cobblestone from the active-duty map pool which stopped the potential for these random drops to occur. With things how they are, the price reflects the exclusivity of owning a Dragon Lore.
Source: https://csgoskins.gg/items/awp-dragon-lore/souvenir-factory-new
Valve added skins to the game in 2013 with the Arms Deal Update, and quickly realized how lucrative skins would be. Over the years they have added more cosmetics, such as gloves. Gloves were added to the game with the Glove Case in 2016, and have since become some of CS2's most expensive items.
Pandora’s Box gloves are some of the most sought after skins in the game. Obviously, the price tag attracts a lot of attention, but they also just look pretty great.
Source: https://csgoskins.gg/items/sport-gloves-pandoras-box/factory-new
Doppler knives come in 4 main finishes, or “Phases”, but also have 3 additional rare finishes known as Sapphire, Ruby, and Black Pearl. Phases 1-4 are nothing to shake to stick at, price-wise they fetch around $1000.
The rare finishes, though, can run up to 10-20 times what their more common counterparts cost. This is because players like the more striking bright colorways of the knives, as well as the appeal of having an item which is rare enough to be exclusive.
Source: https://pricempire.com/item/cs2/skin/butterfly-knife-doppler-factory-new-sapphire
These gloves are exclusive to the Clutch Case which came out in 2018. They have a bright bold colorway, almost in an Ice Cream (if you’re into shoes) style. The pink, blue, and black complement each other well.
Source: https://csgoskins.gg/items/sport-gloves-vice/factory-new
The M4A4 Howl skin has an interesting and somewhat controversial history. The Howl skin was initially introduced as part of the Arms Deal update in 2013.
The controversy surrounding the Howl skin arose from the fact that the original artwork used for the skin was a copyrighted design by an artist named Miley (also known as "Brock Hofer"). The artwork was originally created for a custom motorcycle helmet. When the artist discovered that his copyrighted work had been used without permission, he filed a DMCA takedown notice against Valve.
As a result of the copyright infringement claim, Valve decided to remove the original M4A4 Howl skin from the game in early 2014. Players who owned the skin at the time saw their existing Howl skins replaced with a new version that featured a different design, removing the copyrighted artwork.
The updated M4A4 Howl skin is still available and is considered a rare and valuable item due to its history and the fact that the original version is no longer obtainable. The controversy surrounding the Howl skin adds an extra layer of uniqueness to its status in the community, and a lot to its price!
Source: https://csgoskins.gg/items/m4a4-howl/stattrak-factory-new
The AWP Gungnir is a stunning and distinctive skin that captures the essence of mythical Norse imagery. With its pearlescent blue and ivory finish, the Gungnir stands out as one of the most visually striking AWP skins in the game. The intricate design features intricate patterns reminiscent of ancient Norse artistry, adding an element of mystique to the weapon. It could only be obtained as a drop from the Norse Collection during Operation Shattered Web.
Source: https://csgoskins.gg/items/awp-gungnir/factory-new
The Wild Lotus was introduced to CS:GO as part of the Operation Shattered Web update in 2019, and it quickly gained popularity among players and collectors alike. The skin's intricate detailing, vivid colors, and the thematic representation of the lotus flower contribute to its aesthetic appeal, making it a sought-after choice for those looking to enhance the visual impact of their in-game arsenal.
What adds to the skin's exclusivity and consequently its higher price is its limited availability. The Wild Lotus could only be obtained during Operation Shattered Web.
Source: https://csgoskins.gg/items/ak-47-wild-lotus/factory-new
The M9 Bayonet Crimson Web in CS2 is an iconic knife skin known for its striking design. The blade features a web-like pattern in deep crimson, creating a visually arresting contrast against the sleek black background. Its rarity and high demand contribute to its considerable price tag, as the Crimson Web pattern is challenging to obtain due to its infrequent appearance in case openings. As a result, the M9 Bayonet Crimson Web has become a prized possession among CS2 enthusiasts and collectors, sought after for its unique aesthetic and limited availability in the virtual marketplace.
Source: https://csgoskins.gg/items/m9-bayonet-crimson-web
To talk about AK-47 Blue Gems, we have to talk about “Crafted” skins. Crafted skins are skins which have had stickers (which themselves can fetch extraordinary prices) applied to them. Most of the time, the stickers are worth more when they are unused, but in specific circumstances the skin and the stickers work so well together that they can enhance the price of a skin well beyond what it would have been on its own.
Usually, AK-47 Blue Gems will sell for a couple thousand dollars, if the seller is lucky. But, in one famous instance, a seller had a StatTrak Minimal Wear Case Hardened 661 AK-47 with four Titan Holos on it (each worth $80,000 if they were unused!). It sold for $400,000, making it one of the biggest single sales in Counter-Strike history.
Source: https://www.thegamer.com/csgo-ak-47-case-hardened-skin-sold-400000/
There you have it, the most expensive in CS2 right now. If you ever roll any skin like this, be sure to hold on to it as you might have one of the most expensive items in the game in your hands! And, of course, it goes without saying, the more expensive your skins, the higher your skill…right?
