Top Ten Most Expensive Bored Ape NFTs

Welcome to the wild world of the Bored Ape Yacht Club, where punky primates rule the Ethereum seas, flaunting their unique traits in the most extravagant digital display known to the metaverse. Today, we're diving into the lush, exotic jungle of the ten most expensive Bored Ape Yacht Club NFTs ever sold.

These phenomenal NFT specimens have fetched jaw-dropping sums, marking their territory as the alpha apes in this fabulous and outlandish club. So, buckle up and scroll on as we embark on this riveting journey through the fascinating and often mind-boggling realm of these digital trendsetters.

However, don't forget that investing in these trendy digital collectibles comes with a fair share of risks too. The NFT space can be filled with legal disputes and challenges.

So, while you gear up to explore the fantastic world of expensive bored apes and stay updated on the latest happenings, always remember to weigh the potential risks and rewards that tag along when dipping your toes in the high-value digital collectibles market.

Taking a closer look at the fascinating world of alternative assets, it's impossible to miss the skyrocketing popularity of Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) NFTs. Crafted by the talented team at Yuga Labs, these digital collectibles have taken the market by storm, standing out as one of the priciest and most successful NFT projects to date.

Featuring funky apes dressed up in human clothes, BAYC NFTs have become a top choice for both collectors and investors looking for high-quality alternative assets. Their rare and distinctive designs only add to their value, placing them among the brightest stars in the ever-growing NFT universe. Here are some reasons why BAYC NFTs command over-the-roof prices.

Unique and scarce digital assets

One of the main reasons that the Bored Ape Yacht Club is so valuable is the uniqueness and scarcity of its digital assets. With only 10,000 unique digital collectibles in circulation, the rarity of Bored Apes is akin to classic collectibles such as rare stamps or baseball cards.

The digital scarcity of these assets is ensured by their presence on the Ethereum blockchain, providing authentication and verifying the limited supply of particular NFTs.

A strong and active community

Another contributing factor to the value of BAYC NFTs is the vibrant community that has formed around the project. BAYC is more than just a collection of digital images—it represents a network of collectors and enthusiasts who host events, create art, and collaborate on projects, all centered around their shared passion for the Bored Apes.

The camaraderie among BAYC collectors adds to the perceived value of these digital assets and may lead to an increased demand for Bored Ape NFTs.

Intellectual property rights and commercial use

Possessing a Bored Ape NFT also grants the owner intellectual property rights and usage permissions for their respective apes.

The added layer of utility that intellectual property rights introduce increases the overall value of BAYC NFTs.

Without further ado, let's explore the dazzling domain of these prestigious primates. The following listicle highlights the ten most expensive Bored Ape Yacht Club NFTs, unearthing their astonishing sale prices and the unique attributes that make them the crème de la crème of the digital simian society.

Prepare to be amazed by these rare, eclectic, and highly sought-after digital gems as we unveil their incredible stories.

1. Bored Ape #3562

• Highest Sale Price: $1.63 million 
• Sale Price in ETH: 430 ETH 
• Key Attribute: Zombie-eyed, unshaven ape, black Suit, flipped-brim hat

Bored Ape #3562 is a distinctive digital artwork from the Bored Ape Yacht Club NFT collection. Its unique combination of attributes makes the zombie-eyed unshaven ape appearance stylishly clad in a black suit one of a kind. Adding a touch of flair, this ape sports a flipped-brim hat, a rare trait shared by only 231 other apes.

In a remarkable transaction at the end of 2021, the stunning Bored Ape #3562 NFT sold for about 430 ETH. The captivating ape generated a profit of approximately $1.61 million and transformed into the intriguing Mutant Ape #17125 after introducing the M2 serum, showcasing the ever-evolving appeal of this precious digital collectible.

2. Bored Ape #8135

• Highest Sale Price: $1.87 million 
• Sale Price in ETH: 666 ETH 
• Key Attributes: Bored unshaven dagger in mouth, Hip Hop clothing, hypnotized eyes, trippy captain's hat

Bored Ape #8135 holds a prominent position as the 7th rarest ape in the esteemed collection, justifying its significant purchase price of 550 ETH. What makes this NFT stand out is its exclusive traits that make it rare and valuable.

One of Ape #8135's most remarkable features is the unshaven dagger-in-mouth trait, found in only 28 other apes in the collection. Another outstanding feature of Bored Ape #8135 is the rare Bored unshaven pizza trait attributed to just 26 of the 10,000 apes in the collection.

This NFT also boasts other unique attributes, including Hip Hop clothing, hypnotized eyes, and a trippy captain's hat, which it shares with 65 other apes. The combination of these extraordinary characteristics accentuates the scarcity and desirability of Bored Ape #8135, making it a highly prized NFT in the ever-growing web3 market.

3. Bored Ape #4580

• Highest Sale Price: $1.9 million 
• Sale Price in ETH: 666 ETH 
• Key Attributes: Solid gold fur, 3D glasses, seaman's hat, biker vest, orange background, and confused-looking mouth

Bored Ape #4580 is a unique and captivating character from the BAYC collection. Bearing a creative fusion of personas, this NFT embodies a biker, sailor, and 3D movie aficionado.

Its solid gold fur and combination of six distinct traits make the ape a memorable and coveted NFT. Rarity Tools recognizes BAYC #4580 as the 257th rarest NFT in the collection.

This shiny monkey has experienced significant value appreciation. It sold for over $1.9 million on OpenSea in February 2022—over 22x its previous sale price of $86,664 in June 2021. The impressive sale underscores the growing interest in and recognition of BAYC as a remarkable and desirable collection of profile picture NFTs.

4. Bored Ape #7090 

• Highest Sale Price: $2.2 million 
• Sale Price in ETH: 600 ETH 
• Key Attributes: Service clothing, heart eyes, multicolored grin, solid gold fur, doorman eyes, and new punk blue background

Bored Ape #7090 is the 62nd rarest NFT in the 10,000-piece Bored Ape Yacht Club collection, according to Rarity tools. On February 6, 2023, this expensive primate fetched 800 ETH, equal to $1.3 million.

Previously, Bored Ape #7090 fetched 600 ETH (or an all-time high price of $2.25 million) on OpenSea in September 2021 after getting auctioned alongside 100 other Bored Ape NFTs for $24,393,000 at a Sotheby’s auction. Graced with the sought-after ‘solid gold fur’ attribute, this NFT captured extraordinary value and interest across the collection.

5. Bored Ape #2087 

• Highest Sale Price: $2.3 million 
• Sale Price in ETH: 769 ETH 
• Key Attributes: rainbow-colored skin, trippy fur apes, angry eyes, and a cigarette-clenching mouth

Bored Ape #2087 is the 9th rarest NFT—featuring distinctive attributes such as rainbow-colored skin, trippy fur, angry eyes, and a cigarette in its mouth—fetched an impressive 769 ETH, equal to over $2.3 million back then.

While it’s not the highest sale in the BAYC NFT collection, it highlights the ongoing boom in the NFT market as collectors and digital art enthusiasts continue to invest heavily in rare and exceptional NFTs. The transaction occurred on the OpenSea marketplace, further emphasizing the growing interest and value attributed to unique NFTs.

6. Bored Ape #8585 

• Highest Sale Price: $2.7 million
• Sale Price in ETH: 697 ETH 
• Key Attributes: royal crown, stylish heart-shaped sunglasses, and a vibrant psychedelic body on a blue background

Bored Ape #8585's recent jaw-dropping sale is a testament to the exciting investment opportunities in alternative assets. The blue-background Bored Ape, boasting a crown, heart-shaped sunglasses, and a psychedelic body, reveals the growing demand and impressive value within the bustling NFT market.

As the BAYC collection ranks fifth in terms of sales and reaches a total volume of $567 billion, investors are taking notice.

Looking back, the average BAYC NFT cost approximately $100,000 in August 2021. In recent times that figure has skyrocketed up to six times, clocking in at around $600,000. This remarkable growth shows the tantalizing potential of NFT investments for those looking to go beyond traditional stocks and mutual funds. 

7. Bored Ape #232 

• Highest Sale Price: $2.8 million 
• Sale Price in ETH: 1080 ETH 
• Key Attributes: Gleaming solid gold fur, elegant smoking jacket, stylish seaman's hat, and sleepy eyes

Bored Ape #232 recently made headlines with its impressive sale. Boasting a unique combination of features, this NFT changed hands on the LooksRare marketplace on January 30, 2022, fetching a staggering 1080.69 ETH—approximately $2.85 million.

The captivating Bored Ape #232 ranks as the 503rd-rarest NFT within the BAYC collection. Its distinct traits include an army green background, a seaman's hat, sleepy eyes, a smoking jacket, solid gold fur, and a puzzled, orange mouth. These endearing qualities contribute to its significant value and desirability, making it a prized digital asset.

This transaction highlights the growing interest in and appreciation for rare and unique digital collectibles in the NFT market. The astounding sale price of Bored Ape #232—the highest four-figure ETH sale of a single BAYC NFT at the time—illustrates the potential value of distinct non-fungible tokens.

8. Bored Ape #544

• Highest Sale Price: $2.8 million 
• Sale Price in ETH: 675 ETH 
• Key Attributes: Solid gold fur, sushi chef headband, and tuxedo tee

Climbing to third place in the prestigious lineup of most valuable monkey NFTs is yet another golden-furred beauty. Snapped up by Twitter influencer Saint Bayview on November 23, 2021, this NFT proudly sits among the 35 rarest pieces in the BAYC collection, with the ETH price at $4,237 during the transaction.

Solid gold fur Bored Apes have undeniably captured crypto and NFT aficionados' attention. What sets BAYC #544 apart and adds a touch of whimsy is its delightful sushi chef headband and snazzy tuxedo tee. This rare combination makes it one of the most entertaining and standout Bored Apes around.

With a cool $2.8 million price tag, BAYC #544 earns its well-deserved spot as the third most expensive monkey NFT.

9. Bored Ape #3749 

• Highest Sale Price: $2.9 million
• Sale Price in ETH: 740 ETH 
• Key Attributes: Laser eyes with gold fur and black tee

Say hello to "The Captain"—AKA Bored Ape #3749—a highly valuable entry on the Bored Ape Yacht Club NFT list. This cool golden ape NFT rocks a black t-shirt against a sunny yellow background. This rare digital asset stands out because of its solid gold fur and attention-grabbing laser beam eyes.

Acquired by Boothy in The Sandbox Metaverse on September 6, 2021, these rare traits can only be found in 0.69% (laser eyes) and 0.46% (gold fur) of the whole collection, making "The Captain" a truly remarkable piece.

This in-demand NFT monkey switched hands for over $2.9 million on OpenSea when Ethereum's value hovered around $3,930. As 2021 progressed, "The Captain" had multiple owners and saw its worth skyrocket sevenfold in just three months.

Despite its astounding price, it has yet to make its way onto the list of the most expensive NFTs in history.

10. Bored Ape #8817 

• Highest Sale Price: $3.4 million
• Sale Price in ETH: 852 ETH 
• Key Attribute: Gold fur against an orange background, spinner hat, and blue and white party horn

BAYC NFT #8817 has broken records, selling for an astounding $3.4 million on Sotheby's Metaverse marketplace. As the most expensive BAYC NFT, this unique piece impresses with its gold fur, amusing spinner hat, and party horn.

Part of Yuga Labs BAYC collection on the Ethereum Blockchain, #8817 is the fourth NFT sale to cross the $1 million milestone. With its standout style and scarce features, Bored Ape #8817 has truly taken the digital collectibles market by storm.

The NFT market is currently experiencing a sales surge with an impressive 38% increase in January 2023, reaching almost $947 million. And the Bored Ape Yacht Club collection is riding this wave.

Their visually appealing artwork and exclusive membership benefits have caught the attention of high-profile buyers, including NBA players Steph Curry and Kevin Durant. Notable celebrities such as Serena Williams, Justin Bieber, Eminem, and Neymar Jr., have either purchased or expressed interest in these unique NFTs, further increasing their popularity.

Blue-chip NFTs like BAYC can be worth investing in, especially for those seeking alternative assets for portfolio diversification. However, like any investment, there are critical factors to consider.

Potential for asset appreciation

Investing in blue-chip NFTs like the Bored Ape Yacht Club has potential upside, with some early adopters experiencing substantial appreciation in the value of their digital assets. As interest in the NFT market continues to grow, the price of high-quality, limited-edition collections like BAYC may rise, presenting solid investment opportunities.

Diversification in the digital asset market

Blue-chip NFT investments can help diversify digital asset holdings and hedge against possible risks associated with cryptocurrency investments. NFTs are an emerging asset class with the potential to appreciate independently of the broader crypto market, offering a different risk-reward profile than assets like bitcoin and ETH.

Risks and uncertainties

While investing in high-end NFTs can be exhilarating, keep in mind that it also comes with its fair share of ups and downs. As with any investment, there are no guaranteed returns, and the digital asset market is known for being fickle, dynamic, and constantly adapting to trends.

Plus, rules and regulations around owning, buying, and selling NFTs are still developing. So, when thinking about investing in blue-chip NFTs, carefully weigh the potential risks and rewards, and consider your personal financial goals and how much risk you're willing to take.

To figure out if blue-chip NFTs align with your financial aspirations, do your homework and explore potential investment opportunities. And remember—only invest what you're comfortable with losing. If you're unsure, it never hurts to chat with a professional financial advisor for guidance. Happy aping.