Sotheby’s to Auction Record-Breaking Martian Meteorite NWA 16788 with Cryptocurrency Bidding Option
Sotheby’s is set to auction NWA 16788, the largest Martian meteorite ever found on Earth, weighing 54 pounds and discovered in Niger’s Agadez region in 2023. The meteorite is expected to fetch between $2 million and $4 million at the Natural History sale on July 16.
Accepting Cryptocurrency for a Piece of the Red Planet
In an effort to attract tech-savvy collectors, Sotheby’s is accepting bids in Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USDC for this high-profile auction.
- Since 2021, Sotheby’s has integrated cryptocurrency payments for select sales, ensuring compliance and security through partners like Coinbase and Bitpay.
- Cassandra Hatton, Sotheby’s Vice Chairman of Science and Natural History, emphasized that many clients work with or hold crypto assets, driving demand for this payment method.
Unique Valuation Challenges of Meteorites
Unlike art, where comparable sales help set prices, meteorites are rare and uniquely valued:
- Prices are often calculated on a per gram basis, with less than 250 kilograms of Martian material known globally.
- Because each specimen is unique, pricing estimates reflect possibilities rather than firm market data.
- This auction sets a new record for Martian meteorites, significantly surpassing previous sales such as a $40,000 piece sold by Christie’s in 2021.
Sotheby’s Continued Crypto Engagement
This auction is part of Sotheby’s ongoing efforts to embrace the crypto community, following previous sales including:
- Bitcoin Ordinals collection “BitcoinShrooms”
- Bored Ape Yacht Club NFTs from Three Arrows Capital
- NBA Top Shot NFTs during a major NBA memorabilia auction
By accepting cryptocurrency, Sotheby’s aims to expand accessibility and meet the evolving preferences of modern collectors.
For those with the means and interest in both space and digital assets, Sotheby’s auction of NWA 16788 offers a once-in-a-lifetime chance to own an extraordinary piece of Martian history—payable with cryptocurrency.
