Rare physical bitcoin worth $1.78 million gets cashed in after 12 years
A rare 2011-2013 Casascius physical bitcoin containing 25 BTC was redeemed by its owner, who peeled the hologram to access the private key. The move, which destroyed the coin's collectible numismatic value, resulted in the transfer of $1.78 million worth of bitcoin to a new wallet.
Why it matters
This event highlights the intersection of physical collectibles and digital assets, illustrating how long-dormant crypto holdings are increasingly being liquidated as market values rise.
Share Share this article Copy link X icon X (Twitter) LinkedIn Facebook Email Rare physical bitcoin worth $1.78 million gets cashed in after 12 years The S1-COIN-25 physical bitcoin, part of Mike Caldwell s 2011-2013 mint, had its tamper-evident hologram peeled and the 25 BTC swept on-chain on Wednesday. By Shaurya Malwa | Edited by Sheldon Reback Jun 3, 2026, 2:32 p.m. 2 min read Make preferred on Michael Caldwell s physical bitcoin Casascius coins (casascius.com) What to know : A rare 25-bitcoin Casascius physical coin, minted between 2011 and 2013, was peeled this week and its 25 BTC—worth about $1.78 million—were moved to a new wallet. Casascius coins, created by software engineer Mike Caldwell, embed real bitcoin under tamper-evident holograms and are prized by collectors for both their face value and numismatic premium when left intact. Redeeming the coin destroyed its collectible status and came amid a broader burst of activity from long-dormant bitcoin holdings, including a 2011-era wallet that just moved 35 BTC after 15 years. A physical bitcoin BTC $ 66,924.57 from the legendary 2011-2013 Casascius mint had its hologram seal removed on Wednesday and the 25 BTC stored inside, worth $1.70 million at current prices, transferred to a new wallet.
The article provides a factual report on a specific financial transaction without editorializing or taking a political stance.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in