Most Expensive AWP Skins

There is no Counter-Strike without the legendary AWP, a bolt-action sniper rifle based on a real-life British rifle manufactured by Accuracy International. The AWP has been the main sniper weapon in the various iterations of Counter-Strike for almost 25 years, and it remains one of the most recognizable parts of the game. The AWP is a high-risk/high-reward weapon that is deadly in the long range while slow and borderline useless if you were caught by a surprise by a feisty SMG wielder. These guns are mostly reserved for the best players in the team with fast reflexes and immaculate aim, hence the importance of having a star player like m0nesy, s1mple, ZywOo and broky in pro play.

Over the years, this gun had been used in so many iconic plays from the likes of s1mple, ZywOo, kennyS, m0nesy and many other sniper prodigies. Some of these plays have inspired thousands to pick up the AWP and become snipers themselves. If you’re looking to make a few flashy plays yourself with a five-shot railgun, then you might want to invest into an AWP skin of your liking. While you’re at it, make sure to about the top 5 most expensive AWP skins currently present in CS2.  

TOP 5 Most Expensive AWP Skins in CS2

Aside from the knives and the gloves, the AWP skins are some of the most expensive items that you can purchase in CS2. Of course, there are a few cheap AWP skins that won’t make a dent in your bank account, but if we’re talking about the expensive and exclusive stuff, then the “1 shot 1 kill” gun is the main perpetrator. We’ve made a list of top 5 most expensive AWP skins in CSGO / CS2 so that our readers can drool in awe or get angry at how ridiculously expensive the skin market has become.

You are highly unlikely to see one of these in your regular Competitive games, considering how rare and expensive they are. If you happen to own or acquire one of the skins from the list, then we can only congratulate and cheer for you 🙂. 

AWP | Dragon Lore

Price range: $5,086 -  $11,300

The Dragon Lore AWP is without a single doubt the most well-known AWP skin, aside from Asiimov, probably. Its golden appearance with a fire-breathing dragon is one single most recognizable AWP skin in the history of Counter-Strike. Aside from the dragon and eclectic diamond patterns, skin features a bright-yellow colorway that is visible to everyone from far away. The Dragon Lore is one of the most expensive AWP skins in the game, with even the Battle-Scarred grade skins selling for over 5 grand. Considering the ridiculously high price, it is often seen rocked by established players like s1mple, f0rest and even athletes like Neymar Jr. If you’re looking to buy a Dragon Lore for your, I presume, wealthy collection, then get ready to spend over 11 grand. 

• Available in collection: The Cobblestone Collection

• First added: 1 July 2014

AWP | Gungnir

Price range: $8,400 -  $14,000

The Gungnir is meant to represent the spear of Odin, a mythological weapon used to smite the enemies of the Norse God, and for modest 8-14 thousand dollars you can smite the enemies on a server. Aside from being a status symbol, Gungnir is also a work of art in terms of skinmaking, featuring a fantastic runic metalwork on a bright blue body, making it look as if it was crafted by the best blacksmiths of Valhalla. It used to be a second most expensive AWP skin after the Dragon Lore, but now Gungnir shares the throne with its golden predecessor. Gungnir can be seen used by ZywOo, s1mple and w0nderful, s1mple’s NAVI replacement. This skin quickly became a fan-favorite and one might say that it is loved just as much as the Dragon Lore. 

• Available in collection: The Norse Collection

• First added: 18 November 2019

AWP | Medusa

Price range: $1,900 -  $4,100

People yearn for mythology, and here is yet another mythology-themed skin in our list. The AWP Medusa is inspired by the sad tale of Medusa, one of three Gorgon cursed to have become a monster with snake-hair. Despite the scary look of Medusa, its Counter-Strike representation is truly a piece of beauty.  The deep blue body is covered in many wriggling snakes with a face of Medusa on the buttstock. As to the skin’s price, it starts from around 2 thousand dollars for a Battle-Scarred grade skin, growing up to 4 thousand for a Factory New Medusa. A Factory New one is extremely rare skin, so make sure to grab it on Skin.Land for the best price on the market.   

• Available in collection: The Hunter and the Hunted

• First added: 26 May 2015

AWP | Prince

Price range: $2,300 -  $3,400

The AWP Prince reeks of opulence and splendor. Some say that once you pick it up, you might feel like royalty – don’t quote us on that one. The royal skin is meant to represent the trophy weapon of a 19th century prince, decorated with golden ornament and sparse red touches. The mix of patina and custom paint styles makes this skin look amazing in an improved CS2 lighting system. Compared to the first two skins in our list, the Prince is pretty accessible, starting from a “modest” 2 thousand dollars for a Battle-Scarred grade. 

• Available in collection: Operation Shattered Web

• First added: 18 November 2019

AWP | Desert Hydra

Price range: $1,400 -  $2,400

The AWP Desert Hydra is the most vibrant skin in our list, boasting a bright-orange colorway with intertwined snakes placed across the rifle’s buttstock and the receiver. What’s unique about this skin is that the rarer the skin, the blacker its scope gets, meaning that the Desert Hydra with the best float will have a visible black scope with brown ornaments, as opposed to a regular creamy scope (pause). The Factory New Desert Hydra went for about 2 thousand dollars three years ago, and its price has increased up to 2,400. A Souvenir Desert Hydra will cost you around 100 dollars extra, if you want a few gold stickers to shine on your AWP. It might not be the best investment, but if you happen to have one, just enjoy this hissing cutie. 

• Available in collection: Operation Riptide

• First added: 21 September 2021

The Most Expensive AWP Skin Ever Sold in CS:GO or CS2

The most expensive AWP skin ever sold in CS:GO is the Factory New AWP Dragon Lore decorated with 4x IBuyPower Holo stickers. It was sold for $265,000 in June of 2023 to an anonymous Chinese buyer. The same skin would cost about 400,000 dollars right now, considering that a single IBuyPower Holo sticker costs around 67,000-70,000 dollars. 

Back in 2018, the Souvenir Dragon Lore AWP with Skadoodle’s autographs sold for a record-breaking $61,000. At that time, no one could’ve imagined that eventually the Dragon Lore would rake up over $250,000. 

If you’re looking for an affordable AWP skin, then make sure to read our detailed guide on the best cheap AWP skins currently available in CS2. Not only that you can get the best prices on all AWP skins on SkinLand, you can also sell any CS2 skin for real money.