Starting tomorrow, a factory sealed original iPhone 4GB will be up for auction and it is expected to fetch around $50,000 to $100,000- with the possibility to break the previous record of $63,000. LCG Auctions writes in its auction listing that the original iPhone that is up for auction is a 4GB model that was released on June 29, 2007. While the original iPhone was released in 4GB and 8GB variants, the former is considered to be the rarest of rare items today if found in a sealed pack condition. The reason why the original iPhone 4GB variant is considered to be the “holy grail” of iPhones is its limited production. Apple launched the iPhone 4GB variant at $499 and the 8GB variant was priced at $599. Due to a mere difference of $100, many people preferred the 8GB model, which slowed down the sales of the 4GB variant. This forced Apple to discontinue the production of the original iPhone 4GB model and the company announced its decision to stop selling the 4GB variant on September 5th, 2007, just over two months after the release of the first iPhone. Here’s what LCG Auction has to say about the iPhone and its condition: “Our offering is an exceedingly rare, factory-sealed, first-release 4GB model in exceptional condition. Virtually flawless along the surface and edges, the factory seal is clean with correct seam details and tightness. Labels on the reverse are correctly pristine beneath the seal. Outstanding color and gloss. Brand new, never activated. The phone’s provenance is pristine as the consignor was part of the original engineering team at Apple when the iPhone first launched. Collectors and investors would be hard pressed to find a superior example. Relevance and rarity comprise a winning formula for this red-hot collectible. Model A1203, Order MA501LL/A 4GB)” The starting bid for the original iPhone 4GB is set at $10,000. The auction will end on July 16. In addition to this rare 4GB original iPhone, an 8GB original iPhone, a 16GB original iPhone, and the first European model original iPhone are also put on auction. All the iPhones are sealed and in pristine condition.
