There have been several significant and unusual auctions related to cryptocurrency throughout history, often involving substantial sums of money. One such auction involved a single piece of paper featuring a message from then Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen discussing the U.S. economy. This message caused a surge in Bitcoin’s value, resulting in a sale at the crypto-themed Pubkey Bar in New York City for 16 BTC, worth approximately $1 million at the time.
Another notable auction saw the debut sat of a current cycle, chosen by the mining company ViaBTC after adding the 840,000th block to the blockchain, being auctioned on CoinEx for 33.3 BTC, equivalent to about $2.1 million. Moreover, a set of 5,000 Bitcoin images were combined and minted as an NFT, ultimately being auctioned at Christie’s for $69.3 million. Casascius coins, physical Bitcoin created in the early 2010s, have also been the subject of fervent auctions.
These coins contain a private key to a set denomination of Bitcoin, making them an advanced form of cold storage. The rarity and historical significance of these coins have led to prices far exceeding the value of the Bitcoin they hold, with a brass Casascius 1 Bitcoin from 2011 recently fetching $96,000 and a silver one selling for $102,000. In another instance, an unsealed, first-generation iPod was sold at auction for $29,000, driven by sentimental value.
Additionally, a message predicting the future of NFTs by artist Beeple sold for $450,000, and a collection of five such messages was minted as an NFT in 2021. These auctions showcase the high value and diverse nature of artifacts related to cryptocurrency, ranging from physical coins to digital messages and NFTs, all attracting substantial interest and investment.
