Top 5 Rarest Cases on the Steam Market
Counter-Strike cases are the best-selling items on the Steam marketplace. They drop as weekly rewards, and players often prefer to sell them rather than open them. Sales of some cases reach millions of copies per month, but today, we’ll review the rarest cases available. These containers are the least frequently sold, and it’s possible they might disappear from the marketplace soon. Let’s explore why they’re so scarce, how much they cost, and what skins you can get by opening them.
5. Operation Hydra Case
- Listings for sale: 649
- Price: $23.69
This case was introduced in 2017 with the Operation Hydra event. After the event ended, it was removed from the active drop pool, and the current drop chance is below 0.1%. The case contents are somewhat underwhelming, especially due to gloves as the rarest item, most of which are quite affordable. Even the price of the Covert AWP | Oni Taiji exceeds that of 70% of the glove pairs. This sniper rifle is considered the best item in this case, enticing players to open it. Around 650 cases are currently listed on Steam, though many more are stored in investor and player accounts. Sales last month reached almost 5,000 copies, likely as an investment rather than for opening. Its price isn’t expected to drop much below current levels, and it might eventually be removed from the weekly drop pool.
4. Winter Offensive Weapon Case
- Listings for sale: 600
- Price: $7.96
One of the most paradoxical cases in this list, as it was released over 10 years ago, yet its price remains below $10. The case contains several iconic items that have become classics in the Counter-Strike skin community, yet this doesn’t justify a higher price. AWP | Redline, M4A1-S | Guardian, and M4A4 | Asiimov remain popular for their recognizable designs. For items with an 11-year history, these collections have surprisingly low prices, likely limiting the case’s value growth. The Sawed-Off | Kraken, an underwhelming Covert item, holds the case back, as its low price discourages players from crafting and restricts demand for the case.
Like any old case, its price gradually rises, but not as significantly as it might without the “red” shotgun. If you have this container, we recommend opening it, as it has a high return on investment (ROI). Selling it for $7-8 isn’t that substantial, and a price spike seems unlikely.
3. Operation Bravo Case
- Listings for sale: 454
- Price: $59.00
This recognizable black case is highly sought after in weekly rewards, though not for its color but rather its price tag of $59. Released just months after Winter Offensive, this case is significantly more expensive despite having the same rare gold drop. In our opinion, the rest of the contents are less compelling, with the exception of the AK-47 | Fire Serpent, the standout Covert item. This legendary rifle, often more valuable than many knives, became an icon, not only for this case but for the entire skin industry.
Some people still open it for nostalgia or to ride the Bravo case hype, which is arguably wasteful considering the high opening cost. The average return is less than 40%, a low figure compared to other cases. Apart from the AK-47, the AWP | Graphite might interest you, though it can be bought for the price of four cases.
2. CS:GO Weapon Case
- Listings for sale: 285
- Price: $120.38
Ranking second is the first-ever Counter-Strike case, still obtainable every Wednesday, though with an extremely low drop rate. Selling this case could get you a knife or an inventory overhaul, and there’s no shortage of buyers. The AK-47 | Case Hardened, especially the rare Blue Gem pattern, has sold for six-figure sums, making headlines worldwide. This enduring interest keeps the price high, with many willing to pay in hopes of a huge payday. The “first” case status also adds a few dozen dollars to its value, and its items are beloved by the community.
Valve likely won’t stop its drops entirely, as demand remains high. Even at this price, around 3,000 copies sell each month, with buyers driven by both investment and the dream of striking it rich.
1. eSports 2013 Case
- Listings for sale: 173
- Price: $55.67
The rarest case on the marketplace is tied to the game’s esports legacy. A portion of the sales from these cases went toward community growth and team support at Majors (akin to today’s sticker capsules). This case is no longer in the active drop pool, meaning it can only be acquired through the marketplace or trades, potentially making it disappear over time. Investors likely have a solid stash, so it’s unlikely to vanish anytime soon.
Its current price of just over $55 is surprisingly low for such a rare item. The underwhelming skin lineup and an unimpressive Covert item (P90 | Death by Kitty) are likely responsible. The only notable item is the AWP | BOOM, though it doesn’t compare to the signature skins in other cases. The case saw only 241 purchases in the last 30 days, indicating its limited appeal, even as an exclusive.
