A rare Flamin’ Hot Cheeto shaped like the Pokémon Charizard has sold at auction for a staggering $87,840. The three-inch snack, nicknamed “Cheetozard,” was originally discovered by a collector between 2018 and 2022 and was affixed to a custom Pokémon card for preservation. It gained popularity on social media in late 2024, which sparked intense bidding when it was listed at Goldin Auctions.
The auction began with a modest starting bid of $250 on February 11. Over the next few weeks, bids climbed from $350 to $10,400, but the real frenzy started in March. On March 1, the highest bid hit $13,400, and within a day, rapid bidding escalated to $72,000. With the buyer’s premium added, the final price reached nearly $88,000, shocking both collectors and casual observers.
The winning bidder remains anonymous, but the previous owner, 37-year-old Paul Bartlett, originally purchased the Cheeto in 2019 for just $350. He had stored it in a safe and forgotten about it until last year, when he shared it on Instagram, sparking renewed interest. The viral post ultimately led to its auction, where it became one of the most expensive novelty snack items ever sold.
This bizarre sale highlights the growing market for rare and unusual collectibles, particularly in the Pokémon community. While some view the purchase as outrageous, others see it as a testament to the power of nostalgia and pop culture-driven collectibles.
