There are some items you expect to see at an auction: antiques, cars or artwork are just a few examples of common items up for bid. Other auctions can leave you scratching your head, with items for sale that you never knew existed. As auctions evolve, they open new opportunities for buyers as well as sellers.
If you’re looking to get rid of something that’s taking up space around the home, chances are, there’s a market of buyers out there who will bid for it. For buyers, more options are always a good thing. No matter how obscure an item may seem, there’s someone out there who’s selling it. Just how obscure do unusual auction items get? Read on to find out.
Skeletons
What do you keep in your closet? If you’re anything like the people who look for animal skeletons or bones in online auctions, you have a collection of creatures that once roamed the earth. Collect enough individual bones for a species, and you could complete a skeletal puzzle right at home. If you feel a little grossed out by such a purchase, rest assured many people are using these unique auction items for things like education and research.
Racks of dusty bottles of wine
Never underestimate the lengths to which some will go to buy a drink with a story behind it. A rare, well-aged wine, beer or liquor can go for thousands of dollars at auction. One source for these beverages is the sea floor — shipwrecks can be a treasure trove of liquid gold. Imagine coming home after a long day, pouring a glass of centuries old rum and sipping it as if you’ve taken a time machine to a bygone era. Old bottles of alcohol give new meaning to the term throwback.
Celebrity Knick Knacks
There is a large market for anything to do with celebrities, as proven by the auctions that have occurred recently. Some of the most sought-after items include locks of celebrity hair, articles of clothing and other personal belongings. You can even find items that celebrities briefly interacted with, such as bus tickets, hairbrushes or toenail clippers.
Taxidermy
While preserving the body of a dead animal may or may not be something you’re interested in, there’s no denying the high demand for taxidermy pieces in auctions. The people who buy these items look for the most realistic recreations of living wildlife available. Whether you’re looking for a fierce bear or a graceful elk, you can find one that’s preserved forever at auction.
Zipper storage bag full of air
Yes, some people have attempted to pull money from thin air. Following a significant concert or sporting event, it’s common to find zipper storage bags that supposedly contain air from said event on sites like eBay. Of course, these auctions are likely scams — there’s no way to prove that packaged air originated from a specific place or time. Unfortunately, that hasn’t stopped some people from buying and selling air, including a bag of air from a Kanye West concert that went for $60,000.
Lots of strange items have been sold at auctions before. Want to find some more? Check out our growing list of current and upcoming auctions.