A rare Flamin’ Hot Cheeto shaped like the Pokémon Charizard has sold for $87,840 at auction. The bidding took place on Sunday, accumulating a total of 60 bids, with the winning bid starting at $72,000 and increasing to the final price due to the auction house’s buyer’s premium.
This uniquely shaped Cheeto was discovered by 1st and Goal Collectibles, a Georgia-based collectibles store, sometime between 2018 and 2022. The auction commenced on February 10 with an initial price of $250. A representative from Goldin confirmed that the Cheeto was not altered to resemble Charizard; it was a naturally occurring shape.
After going viral in 2024, the Cheeto received a protective enclosure and a custom nameplate inspired by Pokémon cards before reaching the auction block. Despite its impressive sale, it remains second to a Flamin’ Hot Cheeto shaped like the late gorilla Harambe, which sold for $99,900 in 2017. However, the legitimacy of that sale remains questionable, as reports indicate the winning bidder backed out.
Although the market for uniquely shaped Cheetos may be niche, it has garnered attention. Frito Lay previously operated a Cheetos Museum to celebrate unusual snack shapes, awarding $150,000 in prizes for the best submissions. Now, collectors may need to turn to auction houses or online platforms like eBay to find their own Flamin’ Hot treasures.
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