The 20 Most Expensive and Famous NFT Sales of All Time

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The NFT landscape has evolved dramatically since the first NFT was minted in 2014. Pioneering projects like CryptoPunks, Beeple’s Everydays, and XCOPY’s dystopian animations have redefined digital art—both creatively and financially. This curated list highlights the most expensive single NFT sales in history, excluding open editions and focusing on landmark transactions that shaped the market.

Table of Contents

  1. Beeple, Everydays: The First 5000 Days ($69.3M)
  2. Julian Assange and Pak, Clock ($52.7M)
  3. Beeple, Human One ($28.9M)
  4. CryptoPunk #5822 ($23.7M)
  5. CryptoPunk #7523 ($11.7M)
  6. Tpunk #3442 ($10.5M)
  7. CryptoPunk #4156 ($10.2M)
  8. CryptoPunk #5577 ($7.7M)
  9. CryptoPunk #3100 ($7.57M)
  10. CryptoPunk #7804 ($7.56M)
  11. Dmitri Cherniak, Ringers #109 ($7.1M)
  12. XCOPY, Right-click and Save As Guy ($7M)
  13. CryptoPunk #8857 ($6.63M)
  14. Beeple, Crossroad ($6.6M)
  15. XCOPY, All Time High in the City ($6.2M)
  16. Dmitri Cherniak, Ringers #879 ($6.2M)
  17. Ross Ulbricht, FreeRoss ($6.12M)
  18. XCOPY, A Coin for the Ferryman ($6.02M)
  19. Beeple, Ocean Front ($6M)
  20. Edward Snowden, Stay Free ($5.4M)

1. Beeple, Everydays: The First 5000 Days – $69.3M

Sale Details: Auctioned by Christie’s in March 2021, this collage of Beeple’s daily artworks became the most expensive NFT ever sold. Purchased by Vignesh Sundaresan ("MetaKovan").
Why It’s Valuable: A watershed moment for NFTs, bridging digital art and traditional auction houses.

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2. Julian Assange and Pak, Clock – $52.7M

Sale Details: A dynamic NFT counting Assange’s days in prison, bought by AssangeDAO in February 2022.
Why It’s Valuable: Merges activism with crypto-art, showcasing NFTs as tools for social causes.

3. Beeple, Human One – $28.9M

Sale Details: A hybrid physical-digital artwork sold via Christie’s in November 2021.
Why It’s Valuable: Represents Beeple’s first physical sculpture, evolving digitally over time.

FAQ

What makes an NFT valuable?

Rarity, artist reputation, historical significance, and utility (e.g., community access) drive value.

Why are CryptoPunks so expensive?

With only 10,000 Punks (9 aliens, 24 apes), their scarcity and status as early NFTs cement their worth.

How does Beeple’s Everydays impact the NFT market?

It legitimized NFTs in mainstream art, inspiring institutional interest and record-breaking sales.

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Honorable mentions include Ukraine’s flag NFT ($6.7M) and Bored Ape #8817 ($3.4M).

Data updated June 2023.


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