Top 11 most expensive CS2 skins: Karambit, AK-47, AWP, more
ValveWhile CS2 has replaced CS:GO entirely, it retains all the skins, and some of these skins have insane prices, largely due to their rarity. Here are 11 of the most expensive CS2 skins, including their price range, and other details.
CS2 has been one of the most played games on Steam, enjoyed by millions of fans of the FPS genre. Counter-Strike 2 replaced CS:GO in September 2023, bringing massive changes to the franchise.
However, the skin system in the title remained the same, along with the core gameplay. So, if you’re wondering about the most expensive CS2 skins to date, we’ve listed the highest-priced skins along with their details below.
Most expensive CS2 skins
Here’s a full table of the most expensive CS2 skins as of March 2024:
| RANK | SKIN NAME | PRICE | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | AK-47 – Fire Serpent | $400 – $5,000 | This classic and rare skin, released back in 2013, can cost upwards of $5,000 for a StatTrack Factory New version. |
| 10 | AK-47 – Gold Arabesque (Souvenir) | $1,500 – $8,000 | Once priced under $2,000 due to oversupply, this flashy skin’s cost has risen significantly since Dust2 was removed from the map pool. A Factory New souvenir version can now cost over $8,000. |
| 9 | AK-47 – Wild Lotus | $2,500 – $12,000 | This relatively new and short-supplied skin from the St. Marc collection, released in 2019, is in high demand. A Factory New version can cost over $8,000. |
| 8 | M4A4 – Howl | $3,000 – $15,000 | The unique ‘Contraband’ grade Howl skin is exceptionally rare. A Factory New, StatTrak version can fetch up to $15,000, and with expensive stickers applied, it can sell for over $100,000. |
| 7 | Crimson Web knives (Factory New) | Over $5,000 | These rare and popular knife skins can fetch substantial prices, depending on their condition. |
| 6 | AWP Gungnir | Over $6,000 | One of the newer skins, added in 2019 as part of the Norse collection. Even a battle-scarred version costs thousands, with Factory New versions priced over $6,000. |
| 5 | Karambit / Butterfly / M9 Bayonet (Sapphire) | $10,000 | These Doppler knives, especially in Sapphire, command high price tags, often over $10,000. Their stunning appearance in Counter-Strike 2 has caused prices to surge to over $20,000 for skins like the Emerald Butterfly Knife. |
| 4 | Vice / Pandora’s Box Sport Gloves (Factory New) | Over $15,000 – $40,000 | These vibrantly colored Sport Gloves are among the most valuable glove skins in CS2. Only 92 pairs of Factory New Vice Gloves exist, pushing their prices as high as $15,000 while their Pandora’s Box version can go up to $40,000 |
| 3 | AWP Dragon Lore (Souvenir) | $60,000- $200,000 | Souvenir versions of the Dragon Lore skin, especially when Factory New, can fetch more than $200,000. These commemorate specific esports matches and feature gold stickers with the teams and event. |
| 2 | AK-47 – Case Hardened (661) | $40,000 – $1 million+ | Souvenir versions of the Dragon Lore skin, especially when Factory New, can fetch more than $200,000. These commemorate specific esports matches and feature gold stickers with the teams and events. |
| 1 | Karambit – Case Hardened (Blue Gem) | Over $1.5 million | This exceptionally rare and almost mythical skin is currently the most expensive CS: GO skin. Its owner even turned down an offer of around $1.5m USD. |
ValveWhy are CS2 skins so expensive?
Ultimately, what makes a CS2 skin expensive is its rarity. There are eight levels of rarity:
- Consumer – White
- Industrial – Light blue
- Mil-Spec – Blue
- Restricted – Purple
- Classified – Pink
- Covert – Red
- Contraband – Orange
- Extraordinary – Gold
Other variables include a CS2 skin’s wear and pattern. Skins decrease in value through wear, as the skin will become scratched and look less appealing in-game. There are also many unique patterns for each skin, so more desired patterns are more expensive.
That’s all for our guide on CS2’s most expensive skins. For more content on CS2, make sure to check out the following:
Best guns in CS2: Weapons tier list | Best CS2 cases for knives & skins | How to convert Valorant to CS2 mouse sensitivity | Best CS2 crosshair codes used by pros | Is Counter-Strike 2 on macOS or Linux? | How to show FPS in Counter-Strike 2: Enable & disable commands | Best Counter-Strike 2 PC settings: High FPS, resolution, and more | How to change FOV in CS2 | Can you play CS2 on console? Is there a PlayStation & Xbox version? | Best NVIDIA Reflex settings for CS2