Gaming is nowadays one of the largest industries in the world. While many online games feature a selection of collectible cosmetic items, which the players can sell for real money, none come quite close in value to CS2 skins. In fact, some of the most expensive CS2 skins can be worth thousands of dollars, easily. Collectors are willing to pay big money to get their hands on rare skins for knives or the most popular CS2 guns.
Because they can get so expensive, skins play an important role in the game’s continued existence. Many players play the game only so that they can participate in CS2 (CS:GO) skin trading. This shouldn’t come as a surprise, if you can avoid CSGO trading mistakes, you can easily make money on Counter Strike by selling CS2(CSGO) skins at the Steam marketplace or any other third-party trading website.
But you might be asking yourself, why are CS2 skins so expensive? Well, look no further! Here’s all you need to know about CS2 skins’ value!
What Decides The Price Of CS2 Skins?
Generally speaking, the prices of most skins are decided by a number of factors, mostly reflecting the current state of the skins market. Like many other commodities in the real world, CS2 (CS:GO) skins and their prices are driven by demand and supply. Obviously, the rarest skins also come in the lowest supply, which means that they’ll have the highest price at the Steam community market. Players often acquire skins through CS2 weapon cases, which can contain rare and valuable items.
While you can obtain common items by simply playing CS2, to get other skins you will generally need to either simply purchase them from the Steam market or a CS2 (CS:GO) trading site.
Float Value
Most of the skins come in five different CS2 wear levels, representing how used the weapon looks. At the lowest wear level, Factory New, the skin will look perfect, with no signs of being used anywhere. The highest-wear skins, on the other hand, will come with many scratches and blemishes. This is one of the main stats, which affect the skin’s price, and in some cases, specific wear-rating versions, such as the best Battle-Scarred skins, can greatly differ in price. The total number of wear levels and their float values include:
- Factory New (FN): Float Value 0.00 – 0.07
- Minimal Wear: Float Value 0.07 – 0.15
- Field-Tested: Float Value 0.15 – 0.38
- Well-Worn: Float Value 0.38 – 0.45Â
- Battle-Scarred: 0.45 – 1.00
Bear in mind, that not all the CS2 skins in the game come in all available wear ratings. Some of them are only available in three or two different wear rating levels, such as Factory New and Minimal Wear.
Skin Rarity Grades
Besides the float value, each skin also has a CS2 rarity grade assigned to it. Obviously, the higher rarity a skin is, the more expensive it will generally be. While you can obtain common items by simply playing CS2, to get other skins you will generally need to either purchase them from the Steam market or a CS2 trading site. The game currently has the following rarity grades:
- Gray – Common (consumer/standard grade)
- Blue – Uncommon (industrial grade)
- Dark blue – Rare (Mil-spec)
- Purple – Mythical (restricted)
- Pink – Legendary (classified)
- Red – Ancient (covert)
- Yellow – Immortal (contraband items)
The Role of Investment and Speculation in CS2 Skin Prices
Investment and speculation play a significant role in the high prices of CS2 skins. Many players and collectors view rare skins as valuable assets, hoping to sell them at a higher price in the future. This speculative investment drives up demand, particularly for skins that are rumored to become rare or are expected to be in high demand. For example, the most expensive knife skins are regularly used as a form of investment. As a result, prices for these skins increase, making them even more exclusive and sought after.
The rarity and exclusivity of CS2 skins contribute to their value as investment opportunities. Limited edition skins, such as the Karambit Case Hardened Blue Gem, become highly sought after and can only be acquired through secondary markets. The low supply of these skins, combined with high demand, drives up their prices.
Furthermore, the ability to buy, sell, and trade CS2 skins on third-party websites and the Steam Marketplace has created a vibrant economy. Players can quickly and easily sell their skins for real money, often for a profit over their initial purchase price. This liquidity justifies the high cost of CS2 skins, as players can easily convert their skins into cash.
The investment and speculation in CS2 skins have created a self-sustaining cycle. As prices rise, more players become interested in investing in rare skins, driving up demand and prices even further. This cycle is unlikely to diminish, suggesting that high prices will persist as part of the gaming culture.
The Impact of Content Creators and Streamers on CS2 Skin Prices
Content creators, best CS2 pro players, and streamers have a significant impact on the CS2 skin market. When a well-known personality uses a particular skin, their followers and fans are likely to desire the same item. This trend is particularly strong in games like CS2, where visibility and community status are highly valued.
Popular streamers and professional gamers often showcase rare and expensive skins, making them more desirable to their audience. This increased demand drives up prices, especially for skins that are already rare or hard to obtain. The influence of content creators and streamers can be seen in the prices of skins like the StatTrak Classic Knife Crimson Web Factory New, which has become highly sought after due to its rarity and aesthetic appeal.
Moreover, content creators and streamers often collaborate with skin manufacturers and traders, promoting specific skins to their audience. This promotion can increase demand and drive up prices, making the skins even more exclusive and valuable.
What Makes A Skin Extremely Rare?
While float value and rarity grade are the two most important factors, which make CS2 skins so expensive, there are many different features of CS2 skins, that make them stand out, and in turn increase their price. CS2 knives are particularly sought after due to their rarity and the prestige they confer upon their owners.
Discontinued skins are among the most expensive CS2O skins in the game. These skins come in the yellow rarity grade, however, currently, the grade contains only a single item: the mythical M4A4 Howl. This specific skin can no longer be obtained in the game by case openings and can only be purchased from other players. This means that there is a highly limited number of the M4A4 Howl weapon skins, and there won’t be anymore added to the game ever, this makes it an exceptionally rare item with a limited availability, which collectors are willing to spend money on in absurd amounts.
Another factor, which can affect the final price of a CS2 skin is whether these skins were used by professional players. As a matter of fact, skins that were used in a CS2 match have a chance to drop in the souvenir quality, making them even more valuable. For example, the legendary and extremely rare AWP Dragon Lore is one of the most expensive skins in the game, and this extraordinary factory new skin can easily be worth thousands of dollars. Many professional CS2 collectors measure their CS2 inventory value by the number of the best souvenir skins they hold. This skin plays a significant role in the game economy. While it is not possible to get a free knife in CS2 directly, players can save up for one through weekly drops and trading skins.
Finally, some skins are just very visually appealing, and also happen to be rare. The Case Hardened Karambit CS2 skin is one of the most valuable items available. So valuable, that in fact, it’s difficult to calculate its’s average prices. Deals on this most expensive skin for a CS2 knife are done very rarely, with individual collectors demanding insane amounts of money for their Karambit skin. One of the most coveted items is the Karambit Case Hardened Blue Gem, known for its unique pattern and extreme rarity.
To Sum Up
We hope you understand now, why CS2 skins are so expensive. Some skins with high demand can even be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, which is why CS2 trading is such a serious business. If you ever want to buy CS2 skins for the best prices, be sure to check out Skinsmonkey for more CS2 items, guides and even free CSGO skins!
A true gaming enthusiast, especially Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Rust. At SkinsMonkey, he is involved in creating game guides based on his own experience.
