CS:GO’s gameplay is what makes it so popular, but let’s be honest - skin trading has become a huge part of its appeal. Why? Because some skins hold a huge value. Take the Karambit Case Hardened (Blue Gem), for example. It’s currently the most valuable skin out there, worth a jaw-dropping 7-figuret! Life-changing, right?
CS:GO skins have unique features that contribute to their value. But above all else, one of the most important is their rarity. Here’s a rundown of the eight rarity grades, from the least rare to the most rare.
Consumer Grade (White)
The consumer grade weapon skins are the most common in the CS:GO game. This category contains the least impressive weapon skins, which can be easily obtained through natural in game progression - the players level up, or acquire them for free after a match.
Industrial Grade (Light Blue)
Similar to consumer grade (white) skins, industrial grade skins, although more valuable, are obtained the same way, either through levelling up or after a match. They're slightly better than consumer grade skins, but ultimately they’re still trade-up fodder.
Mil-Spec (Blue)
Short for military specifications, mil-spec skins are the lowest possible rarity that you can obtain from opening weapon cases. They can also be obtained after a match, but this is an extremely rare occurrence in CS:GO. They’re not really flashy, but they are a step up from industrial grade, especially value-wise.
Restricted (Purple)
Restricted skins are the largest category of skins in the game and the most frequent on the Steam community marketplace. This rarity grade is where the weapons start to look really impressive. Most weapon cases offer at least a couple of these skins, so the chances of obtaining one is quite high.
Classified (Pink)
This is when the rarest skins start to appear! Classified skins generally hold a high value, especially in minimal wear or factory new finish styles. Examples include the Negev Mjolnir or the MP9 Wild Lilly. These CS:GO skins can be extremely valuable.
Covert (Red)
Some of the rarest CS:GO skins have the covert grade, including the AK-47 Gold Arabesque and the AWP Desert Hydra. They’re difficult to obtain from a weapon case, so they’re primarily acquired through CS:GO skin trading. Although varied in value, many of them hit the high-end mark.
Extraordinary (Gold)
All CS:GO gloves fall under this category, and like the name, it would be extraordinary to get one from a weapon case. These extremely rare items are primarily traded, but there still is a very, very small chance of receiving them in weapon cases.
Contraband (Orange)
Last, but not least, we have the contraband items - the most valuable in CS:GO. Like the namesake, these are weapon skins that were removed at one point from the game, but are still available in their player’s inventory. One example is the legendary and extremely rare M4A4 Howl, which is no longer available to acquire through standard means.
CS:GO skins and their rarity can be confusing for new players, but understanding them is crucial, especially if you're planning to trade. After all, knowing the different rarity grades will help you get the best value for your skins!
