The most popular old skins in CS2 come from the first CS:GO cases and collections of 2013 and 2014: AWP | Asiimov, AK-47 | Case Hardened, AK-47 | Fire Serpent, Desert Eagle | Blaze and more. They are still widely used, and their prices range from a few dollars for a USP-S | Stainless to about $2,300 for a Factory New AK-47 | Fire Serpent. Prices are approximate LIS-SKINS figures.
Here is a selection of skins that can rightfully be called timeless classics.
AWP Asiimov
The famous AWP skin was added to the game in 2014 and became the best-known item of the Asiimov series, named after the famous sci-fi writer. AWP Asiimov drops from the Operation Phoenix Weapon Case. Its popularity quickly grew within the community, and over the years, it has been seen in the hands of renowned players such as m0NESY, s1mple, and kennyS. It only comes in Field-Tested to Battle-Scarred; on LIS-SKINS it starts at about $75, with Field-Tested around $100.
USP-S Stainless
This skin from 2014 (CS:GO Weapon Case 3) features a practical and minimalist design. The body of the USP-S Stainless is painted in black and gray tones. Compared to other items in this list, it may seem too simple, but it remains popular among players who prefer realistic designs or use plain skins as a base for stickers. It is one of the most affordable picks here: from $5 in worn conditions and about $40 in Factory New. More options are collected in our list of the best USP-S and M4A1-S skins.
M4A1-S Dark Water
Another option that appeals to fans of camouflage skins in CS2 is M4A1-S Dark Water. The black-and-gray geometric pattern covering this rifle’s surface isn’t too flashy, but the design remains quite popular. The skin comes from the very first CS:GO Weapon Case, exists only in Minimal Wear and Field-Tested, and costs about $55 to $65, with StatTrak around $95.
AK-47 Case Hardened
AK-47 Case Hardened became one of the skins that sparked a new trend: collecting skins with rare pattern indexes. There are about a thousand possible patterns (pattern indexes) for the texture on the gun's surface, and some can be worth thousands of dollars, especially if one color dominates the design. However, regardless of the pattern index, this rifle with its golden, silver, and blue-purple streaks is impressive, having been introduced in the very first case back in August 2013. A regular copy starts at about $160 and Factory New is around $430; the AK-47 Case Hardened pattern guide explains which patterns are valued.
AWP Boom
This skin, which appeared in 2013 in the eSports 2013 Case, was one of the first designs to replace camouflage patterns with bold graphics. Initially, developers preferred more realistic muted tones, but the popularity of AWP Boom showed them that comic or graffiti-style patterns would be just as well-liked by players. Unsurprisingly, this skin is still in demand today. Today it costs about $90 in Field-Tested and roughly $340 in Factory New.
Desert Eagle Hypnotic
Skins with optical effects also debuted in the earliest cases. The surface of Desert Eagle Hypnotic, introduced in the CS:GO Weapon Case, is adorned with radiating circles that distort its shape and create a hypnotic effect. It only comes in Factory New and Minimal Wear and costs about $160 to $170.
Desert Eagle Blaze
In terms of fame, Desert Eagle Blaze can probably compete with AWP Asiimov. This pistol design, with flames wrapping around the barrel, is instantly recognizable. Its main downside is the price, about $610 in Factory New. The skin belongs to the Dust Collection and does not drop from cases, so supply is limited. For more options, see the best Desert Eagle skins.
AK-47 Fire Serpent
The design inspiration for AK-47 Fire Serpent, added to the game in September 2013, came from traditional Aztec motifs, and the image on the body depicts a fire serpent revered in their mythology. Despite much of the gun’s surface being unpainted, this skin remains popular to this day. It is the most expensive skin in this list: from about $490 in Battle-Scarred to roughly $2,300 in Factory New, and StatTrak costs more than twice as much.
AK-47 Red Laminate
AK-47 Red Laminate, released in August 2013 in the eSports 2013 Case, is a more minimalist skin option for the rifle in CS2. Despite only using two colors, black and red, it remains quite distinctive. The paint enhances the natural wood texture of the weapon, transforming it into a striking pattern. Prices start at about $45, while a rare Factory New copy is around $460.
Karambit Vanilla
Like the weapon designs, knives didn’t immediately become as bright and unique as they are today. Valve initially added “vanilla” knife versions: items that replaced default knives but didn’t yet have unique patterns. Some may prefer this Karambit version, where nothing distracts from the knife’s unique shape. A vanilla Karambit costs about $950; read more in what you need to know about Karambit skins.
