Film  

Why Oscar winners can’t sell trophies for over $1

By Musa Adekunle

03 March 2025   |   12:54 pm

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Winning an Oscar is the dream of every filmmaker, but what many people don’t know is that the golden statuette comes with a strict rule, winners can never sell it. The Oscar trophy, covered in 24-karat gold, may look priceless, but it’s actually worth around $400, The Economic Times stated in a report. However, it’s…

Winning an Oscar is the dream of every filmmaker, but what many people don’t know is that the golden statuette comes with a strict rule, winners can never sell it.

The Oscar trophy, covered in 24-karat gold, may look priceless, but it’s actually worth around $400, The Economic Times stated in a report.

However, it’s not about the money. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has a rule that stops winners from selling their trophies.

If a winner ever wants to sell an Oscar, they must first offer it back to the Academy for just $1.

READ ALSO: What Nigerian filmmakers should learn from the Oscars 2025

This rule, which has been in place since 1951, applies to everyone, including family members who inherit the award.
The Academy takes this law seriously, ensuring that Oscars don’t just end up on the open market like regular collectibles.

But, like with most rules, there’s a loophole. Oscars awarded before 1951 don’t fall under this restriction, which means they can be sold legally.

In 2012, an auction was held where 15 of these old Oscars were sold for over $3 million. One of the most notable sales was the 1941 Best Screenplay Oscar for Citizen Kane, which went for an astonishing $588,455.

So, while winning an Oscar is a huge achievement, the trophy itself is not something you can cash in on, unless, it was won before 1951.