A Rare and Unusual Collectible: The Cheetozard
A Case of Pokémon Pareidolia
A Flamin’ Hot Cheeto shaped like the Pokémon Charizard, nicknamed "Cheetozard," has sold at auction for $87,840. The unique snack was sold through Goldin, an online auction house specializing in trading cards, collectibles, and other memorabilia.
The Cheetozard: A Unique Snack
Cheetozard is a three-inch long Flamin’ Hot snack mounted to a custom Pokémon card encapsulated in a clear card storage box.
The Auction Process
The bidding for the item started at $250 on February 10 at 8:10 PM, and 60 bids later, the winning bid of $72,000 was made on March 2 at 1:42 AM. The extra $15,840 on the final price is the auction house’s 22% "buyer’s premium" fee.
A Global Phenomenon
Goldin declined to share who purchased the pricy Cheeto, but revealed that people from all over the world visited its website to watch the auction, which ran for nearly a month.
A Bridge Between Fandoms
"Goldin specializes in rare and one-of-a-kind collectibles, and the Cheetozard is exactly this," said Dave Amerman, Goldin’s head of consignment. "Part of what makes this item so fun and unique is that it bridges two fandoms — Pokémon and Cheetos."
Reactions and Comparisons
The sale has led to plenty of online commentary, with some people joking that it’s a sign of the times. Others compared it to Maurizio Cattelan’s 2019 artwork, "Comedian," which consists of a single banana duct-taped to a wall and sold at Sotheby’s for $6.24 million in 2024.
The Cheetozard’s History
The Cheeto was initially discovered and preserved between 2018 and 2022 by 1st & Goal Collectibles. It was later rediscovered in April 2024 and went viral on social media, appearing in posts and memes.
The Cheetozard’s Place in History
The Cheetozard is not alone in its uniqueness. Uniquely-shaped Cheetos are a growing market, with snacks shaped like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Godzilla, and the Nike swoosh currently being auctioned on eBay for thousands of dollars.
Conclusion
The sale of the Cheetozard is a testament to the power of online auctions and the growing market for unique collectibles. While some may see it as a frivolous expense, others see it as a celebration of the intersection of two beloved fandoms.
FAQs
Q: Who purchased the Cheetozard?
A: Goldin declined to share the information.
Q: How much was the Cheetozard sold for?
A: $87,840.
Q: How long did the auction last?
A: The auction ran for nearly a month, from February 10 to March 2.
Q: What is the Cheetozard?
A: A Flamin’ Hot Cheeto shaped like the Pokémon Charizard, mounted to a custom Pokémon card encapsulated in a clear card storage box.
