Key Points
- Bitcoin memorabilia is increasingly popular, with some items selling for millions in auctions.
- The rise of NFTs and Ordinals has expanded the market for crypto-related collectibles.
Bitcoin, now a teenager, has a growing market for memorabilia from its early days, similar to the frenzy around rare, first-generation iPods.
Five Noteworthy Crypto Auctions
Auctions for Bitcoin-related items have attracted high bids, demonstrating the growing interest in such mementos.
‘Buy Bitcoin’ Sign
One example is a piece of paper with “Buy Bitcoin” scribbled on it by a 22-year-old during Janet Yellen’s testimony to Congress in 2017. The image quickly went viral on social media, causing a surge in Bitcoin’s value. This piece of history was auctioned off for 16 BTC, roughly $1 million at the time.
An Epic Satoshi
The introduction of Ordinals has allowed for the creation of NFTs from single satoshis, the smallest denomination of Bitcoin. These can be numbered and even given varying degrees of rarity. For instance, the first satoshi mined after a halving event is considered “epic”. One such satoshi was auctioned for 33.3 BTC, approximately $2.1 million.
Extraordinary Ordinals
Bitcoin has become the dominant network for NFT sales, with auctions even being held at esteemed auction houses like Sotheby’s. A collection of BitcoinShrooms, pixelated art pieces representing the first 13 years of Bitcoin, far exceeded their estimated value of $30,000 each, selling for a total of $450,000.
Beeple’s Record-Breaking NFT
Digital artist Beeple made history when his NFT, a collage of 5,000 pieces of digital art, sold for $69.3 million, making it the most valuable piece of digital art in history.
Physical Bitcoin Coins
Physical Bitcoin coins, known as Casascius coins, have also been sought after. These coins, produced in the early 2010s, contain the private key to a set denomination of Bitcoin. A 2011 Casascius 1 Bitcoin coin recently sold for $96,000, while a silver one fetched $102,000.
