CryptoPunks have come to represent NFTs on the world stage. As algorithmically created digital art, they have come to be recognized as incredibly valuable pieces of history that kicked off the CryptoArt movement.
Both retail and institutional investors are looking to these early NFTs as scarce assets that will appreciate in value over time. With only 10,000 unique CryptoPunks in circulation, each one has provenance and value of its own, dictated by real-world factors and changing tastes. Investment in a CryptoPunk, therefore, is now tantamount to owning an expensive work of art: no discernable use but increasingly valuable nonetheless and a great addition to any portfolio, making some sellers a lot of money in the process.
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Here then are the most expensive CryptoPunks ever sold to date with prices at the time of sale.
10. CryptoPunk #561
Value: $2.38 million / 500Ξ
Last sold: November 08, 2021
The most recent addition to this list, CryptoPunk #561, sold on November 08, 2021, for an incredible $2.38 million.
The 3D-glass-wearing punk is one of only 115 that have top hats and of only 286 that have 3D glasses.
The punk has previously sold for $1.04 million in August 2021 and just $8,176 in September 2020. In just over a year, this NFT has therefore appreciated in value by 29,009%.
9. CryptoPunk #8888
Value: $2.87 million / 888.8Ξ
Last sold: August 28, 2021
Selling for the especially fitting price of 888.8 ETH, CryptoPunk is now worth $2.87 million.
In terms of rarity, #8888 scores on the lower end of the spectrum, possessing no particularly rare attributes.
Nevertheless, due to its identifying number, it’s gained interest from investors looking to bag themselves a bit of luck as in Chinese numerology, 88 is considered a lucky number.
With not one but two 88’s in its name, CryptoPunk #8888 is likely to see continued interest.
8. CryptoPunk #2140
Value: $3.76 million / 1.6KΞ
Last sold: July 30, 2021
Owned by none other than Gary Vee himself, CryptoPunk #2140 sold for $3.7 million in July 2021.
#2140 is one of the 24 “Ape Punks” amongst the 10,000 in circulation and also sports small shades and a knitted cap adding to its value.
Being owned by entrepreneur and NFT enthusiast Gary Vee is a provenance that will only add value to the punk, with the blockchain able to verify and prove ownership.
Testament to his belief in the future of NFTs, Vee’s purchase was the fourth-highest at the time, with the investor explaining he has “incredible confidence in this asset.”
7. CryptoPunk #2338
Value: $4.32 million / 1.5KΞ
Last sold: August 06, 2021
Punk #2338 is perhaps one of the best examples of hodl on this list. Selling for just $458 in November 2018, the NFT was transferred to a wallet the following year and sold in August 2021 for over $4 million.
The mohawked alien punk has not seen any activity since, with the wallet owner having just #2338 in their possession.
6. CryptoPunk #6275
Value: $5.12 million / 1.32KΞ
Last sold: September 04, 2021
Another of the 88 zombie punks, #6275 sold for over $5 million in September 2021.
Bought by the popular NFT personality Pranksy, the punk is one of 526 with a shadow bear and 528 with a dark mohawk.
After the purchase, Pranksy’s words to his followers was “the number 1 rule in #NFTs is always remain liquid. Always.”
5. CryptoPunk #7252
Value at sale: $5.33 million / 1.6KΞ
Last sold: August 24, 2021
Rocking the crazy hair attribute, a chinstrap, and an earring, CryptoPunk #7252 is, again, one of the 88 zombie NFTs in circulation.
Selling in the busy NFT month of August, #7252 by investor Feng Bo for $5.33 million, following in the footsteps of other Chinese individuals and businesses looking to get involved in these new valuable assets.
4. CryptoPunk #5217
Value at sale: $5.45 million / 2.25KΞ
Last sold: July 30, 2021
Selling for in excess of $5 million, punk #5217 is one of the 24 ape punks with intrinsic scarcity.
The punk has the knitted cap and gold chain attributes and was bought by an unknown investor. Activity on the punk has died down but has been transferred to a wallet with a portfolio of other punks, with some also worth more than $1 million.
3. CryptoPunk #8857
Value at sale: $6.63 million / 2KΞ
Last sold: September 11, 2021
After a flurry of interest over the summer of 2021, receiving multiple multi-million dollar offers, CryptoPunk #8857 was finally sold for $6.63 on September 11.
The zombie punk has the wild hair attribute as well as 3D glasses bringing up its rarity value yet further. In addition, the identifying number features the lucky double 8’s, popular among Chinese investors.
Both the buyer and seller of #8857 are anonymous.
2. CryptoPunk #7804
Value at sale: $7.57 million / 4.2KΞ
Last sold: March 11, 2021
One of only nine alien punks, #7804 sold in March 2020 for $7.57 million and has remained the second most valuable punk since.
Increasing the rarity of the hipster-looking punk is its forward-facing cap, small shades, and signature pipe. All of which are characteristics shared by less the 400 other punks.
The seller of the punk was Dylan Field, the CEO of the design and prototyping platform, Figma, who claimed he was sitting on a “digital Mona Lisa.”
1. CryptoPunk #3100
Value at sale: $7.58 million / 4.2KΞ
Last sold: March 11, 2021
With just a simple headband, CryptoPunk #3100 is currently the most expensive sold. Selling for a staggering $7.58 million in March 2021, the CryptoPunk’s sale is considered a watershed moment for the collectibles and the NFT movement as a whole.
The punk is one of the nine aliens and is accumulating a provenance of its own through its history of making waves in the NFT scene.
Now, the owner of #3100 has indicated he wants to break records yet again, listing their punk for sake at a price of $91 million. Should the punk sell, it will once again cement its place in NFT history.
