Determining the most expensive thing on earth requires looking at unique objects that have sold for record-breaking prices over the years. From extremely rare gems and jewels to famous works of art to coveted collectible items, a number of one-of-a-kind treasures have commanded astronomical sums when sold at auction or in private sales. When considering the most expensive things, factors like rarity, quality, history, desirability, and more contribute to driving up prices to jaw-dropping levels.
What are some of the most expensive gemstones and jewels?
Some of the priciest items on earth are unique, flawless or extremely rare gemstones and jewels. Diamonds, emeralds, sapphires and rubies are among the most coveted. Here are a few record-breaking examples:
- The Hope Diamond – This 45.52 carat blue diamond was sold in the 1600s for around $250,000 equivalent. It is believed to be worth over $200-250 million today.
- The Pink Star Diamond – Weighing in at 59.60 carats, this pink diamond sold for a record $71.2 million in 2017.
- The Blue Moon of Josephine Diamond – At 12.03 carats, this rare blue diamond fetched $48.4 million in 2015.
- The Graff Pink Diamond – Christened “The Pink Star,” this 24.78 fancy pink diamond sold in 2017 for $46.2 million.
- The Winston Blue Diamond – At 13.22 carats, this flawless vivid blue fetched $23.8 million in 2014.
- The De Beers Centenary Diamond – The 3rd largest diamond at 273 old carats, it’s estimated to be worth up to $100 million.
These and other exceptional gems have realized eight and even nine figure sums when sold via auction houses like Christie’s and Sotheby’s. Scarcity and unparalleled characteristics like perfect color, cut and clarity drive the phenomenal prices for these natural treasures.
What are some of the most expensive artworks and antiquities?
In the world of art and antiquities, a small number of masterpiece paintings, sculptures and artifacts have sold for astronomical prices at auction or through private sales. Here are some record-breaking examples:
- Salvator Mundi by Leonardo da Vinci – Sold in 2017 for $450.3 million, the highest price ever for a painting.
- Les Femmes d’Alger by Pablo Picasso – This painting sold for $179.4 million in 2015, the highest ever for a Picasso.
- Nu couché by Amedeo Modigliani – Sold in 2015 for $170.4 million.
- Master of a Female Half-Length Figure” by Sandro Botticelli – Sold in 2021 for over $92 million.
- Number 17A by Jackson Pollock – Sold in 2016 for $200 million, a record for a Pollock.
- The Guennol Lioness – This 3000-year-old 5-inch limestone statue sold in 2007 for $57.2 million.
Record sales at auction houses like Christie’s and Sotheby’s have seen remarkable prices for singular masterpieces and cultural artifacts. Museums and private collectors compete to pay premium prices for the most prized historical works.
What are some of the most expensive domain names?
In the world of internet real estate, some domain names have sold for astounding prices:
- CarInsurance.com – Sold for $49.7 million in 2010, the most expensive domain ever sold.
- VacationRentals.com – Sold in 2007 for $35 million.
- PrivateJet.com – Sold in 2012 for $30.18 million.
- Internet.com – Sold in 2009 for $18 million.
- 360.com – Sold in 2015 for over $17 million.
- Insure.com – Sold in 2009 for $16 million.
For premium domains, factors like broad commercial appeal, high search traffic potential, and scarcity have resulted in multi-million dollar sales prices.
What are some of the most expensive collectible items?
Unique collectible items with rarity and historical significance can also fetch astronomical sums when sold at auction or in private deals. Some record-breaking examples include:
- 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO – Sold in 2018 for $48.4 million, the highest price ever for a car.
- The 1933 Double Eagle Coin – The only legal-to-own example of this $20 US gold coin sold for over $7.5 million in 2002.
- Mickey Mantle 1952 Topps Baseball Card – Sold privately in 2018 for $2.88 million, a record for a baseball card.
- 1776 Continental Dollar Coin – One example sold for $1.41 million in 2013, the highest for a coin of its kind.
- First appearances of comic superheroes – “Action Comics” #1 featuring Superman debut sold for $3.2 million in 2014. The first Batman comic sold for over $1 million.
Rare coins, trading cards, vintage cars, autographs, comic books and other niche collectibles have realized incredible auction prices thanks to their exclusivity, condition and popularity.
Analysis of the Most Expensive Things
Examining some of the record-breaking prices realized for the world’s most expensive items reveals some interesting insights:
Rarity drives extreme prices
One of the biggest factors that allows precious gems, art works, artifacts and various luxury collectibles to command such astronomical prices is their rarity. One-of-a-kind objects, or those with only a handful of known examples in existence, intrinsically have more value and desirability.
Perfect condition and quality matter
Not only do the most expensive items need to be extremely rare, they must also exhibit exceptional condition and quality. Flawless diamonds and vividly colored gemstones. Perfectly preserved artworks. Pristine condition collectibles. The more superlative the characteristics, the higher the potential record sales prices.
Prestige and recognition increase value
Famous named jewels like the Hope Diamond. Highly renowned artists such as da Vinci and Picasso. Legendary collectors like Mantle and Pollock. The prestige and name recognition associated with history’s most celebrated treasures contributes to their value.
Strong demand from high net worth buyers
The enormous prices that the world’s costliest items bring are only possible because of the existence of a small but elite group of high net worth and ultra-wealthy buyers determined to own these trophies. Billionaires, museums and institutions spend freely on these rare treasures.
Passion drives willingness to pay
For the upper crust of the world’s multi-millionaires and billionaires, owning the best and most expensive amplifies status and power. Beyond wealth, extreme passion and competitive zeal motivates the pursuit of trophy purchases at any price. Ego, personal interests and rivalry contribute to billions spent accumulating these costly treasures and cultural legacies.
Most Expensive Things by Category
The most expensive items on earth that have commanded the highest known prices can be grouped into the following categories:
Jewels and Gemstones
| Item | Price | Year |
|---|---|---|
| The Hope Diamond | $200-250 million (estimated) | N/A |
| The Pink Star Diamond | $71.2 million | 2017 |
| The Blue Moon of Josephine Diamond | $48.4 million | 2015 |
Artworks
| Item | Price | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Salvator Mundi by Leonardo da Vinci | $450.3 million | 2017 |
| Les Femmes d’Alger by Pablo Picasso | $179.4 million | 2015 |
| Nu couché by Amedeo Modigliani | $170.4 million | 2015 |
Collectibles
| Item | Price | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO | $48.4 million | 2018 |
| 1933 Double Eagle Coin | Over $7.5 million | 2002 |
| Mickey Mantle Baseball Card | $2.88 million | 2018 |
Domains
| Domain | Price | Year |
|---|---|---|
| CarInsurance.com | $49.7 million | 2010 |
| VacationRentals.com | $35 million | 2007 |
| PrivateJet.com | $30.18 million | 2012 |
Current Most Expensive Things for Sale
While historic auctions have seen individual items sell for 9 or 10 figure dollar amounts, there are currently some extremely expensive treasures still on the market:
Graff Diamonds Hallucination Watch – $55 million
Made with 110 carats of rare diamonds, this one-of-a-kind timepiece by Graff Diamonds is currently listed for sale at $55 million. It claims the title of the world’s most expensive watch.
1963 Ferrari GTO – $70 million
In 2018, a Ferrari 250 GTO sold for over $48 million. However, current expectations are that this 1963 model, one of just 36 made, could sell for as much as $70 million at auction. It may become the most expensive car ever sold.
The Magna Carta – $21+ million
One of just four surviving copies of the original Magna Carta charter from 1215, this version last sold in 2007 for $21.3 million. It is expected that today this 715-year-old document could sell for substantially more.
Harry Winston Ruby Slippers – $3-5 million
Of the several known pairs of original ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz film, one has been valued between $3-5 million and is listed for sale by Harry Winston and Christie’s auction house. The iconic shoes could shatter a movie memorabilia sale record.
Air Force One – $3.7+ million
The decommissioned Boeing aircraft that served as Air Force One during President Ronald Reagan’s time in office is currently for sale with an asking price of €3.7 million euros, or over $3.7 million. Flown by 3 US Presidents, it’s one of the most expensive planes on the market.
Most Expensive Things Owned by Billionaires
Thanks to their enormous personal fortunes and passion for acquiring the world’s most coveted treasures, here are some of the most expensive things owned by billionaires:
- The Cullinan Diamond owned by Queen Elizabeth II – This 3,106 carat diamond, the largest ever found, is part of the British Crown Jewels.
- Leonardo da Vinci’s Salvator Mundi, owned by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman – He spent $450 million to acquire this rare painting in 2017.
- The 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO owned by David MacNeil – The owner of WeatherTech spent $70 million in 2018 on the most expensive car ever sold at auction.
- The Popovich Brothers’ Harry Winston Ruby Slippers – Purchased for over $2 million, the billionaire owners own one of the few existing pairs from The Wizard of Oz.
- The Declaration of Independence copied by Ken Griffin – The Citadel hedge fund billionaire spent over $43 million on a rare handwritten duplicate of the Declaration.
Many billionaires aim to acquire the world’s rarest treasures as symbols of their stature and wealth. Their intense competition to own history-making expensive items drives prices ever higher.
Most Expensive Things Adjusted for Inflation
When looking at the most expensive items ever sold, the effects of price inflation over time have to be considered:
- The Mona Lisa by da Vinci – Had an estimated equivalent value of over $2 billion in today’s dollars when acquired by King Francis I of France in 1540.
- Mogao Caves frescoes – These 492 caves with ancient Buddhist art were estimated to have cost $1.3 billion in today’s dollars when completed around the 11th century.
- Mahd-e Tamadon Great Wall of Gorgan – Estimated construction cost was over $7 billion in today’s dollars when built around the 6th century AD across northern Iran.
- The Diamond Sutra – A Tang Dynasty gold-covered Buddhist scroll sold for an estimated $256 million in today’s inflated value when purchased in 868 AD.
- The Bayeux Tapestry – This historial embroidered cloth’s production around 1070 AD cost approximately $166 million in today’s dollars.
Accounting for inflation provides insight into the massive expenditures made in eras past to create indelible works of art, architecture and culture that would be even more astronomically expensive today.
Conclusion
Determining the absolute most expensive things on earth is no simple task, given the subjectivity of value and how it shifts over time. However, the precious gems, great works of art, and rare collectibles discussed here provide insight into at least some of the items that have sold for record-shattering multi-million and even billion dollar amounts over recent decades and centuries. The enormous prices realized reflect the extreme rarity, exceptional quality and finite supply that fuels demand among billionaires, museums and others with the means to pay any cost. For these individuals and institutions, owning a treasure of global significance and cultural value holds an appeal that transcends money alone. The world’s most expensive items carry a prestige that makes them worthwhile trophies to those obsessed with being able to claim having the very best of the best, whatever the price may be.