A rare Flamin’ Hot Cheeto shaped like Charizard has sold for a shocking amount at auction. The final bid left collectors stunned.
The Charizard-Shaped Cheeto Fetches a shocking amount
A rare Flamin’ Hot Cheeto shaped like Charizard has sold for an astonishing price at auction. The final bid reached an eye-watering $87,840.
The unusual snack was auctioned through Goldin Auctions, a well-known marketplace for rare collectibles.
What started as a $250 bid quickly spiraled into a fierce bidding war.
The description, at Goldin Auctions, read: “Presented is a 3-inch long Flamin’ Hot Cheeto in the shape of the Pokémon Charizard, affixed to a customized Pokémon card and encapsulated in a clear card storage box.
“It was initially discovered and preserved sometime between 2018-2022 by 1st & Goal Collectibles.
The Cheeto surged in popularity on social media platforms in late 2024.”
How the bidding war unfolded
The auction began on February 11, with an initial bid of $250. A week later, the price had only risen to $350. However, momentum picked up, and by February 20, the highest bid stood at $2,100.
Over the next few days, bids escalated rapidly. By February 22, it had reached $4,250. By the end of the month, someone placed a $10,400 bid. Many believed this would be the winning price.
However, the real competition began on March 1. The bid climbed to $13,400 by the end of the day. On March 2, hopeful buyers drove the price even higher.
At first, bidders increased the price by $1,000 increments. Then, they raised bids by $2,000, pushing the price to $30,000. Later, increments jumped to $3,000, and one participant pledged a shocking $52,000.
The auction continued with $5,000 increases until the final bid hit $72,000. After adding the buyer’s premium, the final price came to $87,840.
The mystery behind the winning bidder
The winning bidder remains anonymous. However, the Cheeto’s journey to fame started years ago.
Paul Bartlett, a 37-year-old collector, originally purchased the Charizard-shaped Cheeto in 2019.
Additionally. he paid $350, which was $150 less than the seller’s asking price. After buying it, he stored it in a safe and forgot about it.
In 2023, Bartlett rediscovered the Cheeto and posted a picture of it on Instagram. The post quickly gained attention, leading to its auction listing in early 2024.
## The rise of unusual collectibles
Rare collectibles often attract astonishing bids. From Pokémon cards to oddly shaped snacks, the market for unique items continues to thrive.
Logan Paul famously spent over $5 million on a Pokémon card. This Charizard Cheeto sale proves that the demand for rare finds remains strong.
Collectors worldwide continue to chase extraordinary items, often paying small fortunes for them.
With social media amplifying interest, the future of bizarre collectibles looks brighter than ever.