QuickCheck: Is the value of the modern Oscar statuette only US$1?

THE world got to watch the Oscars 2025 recently, and the winners from various categories gleefully celebrated their victories upon being announced the winners for their respective categories and going up to the stage to receive their Oscars and give their speeches.

The ‘gold statuette’ they receive must be valuable, right?

But is it true that the Oscar statuette is only valued at US$1?

Verdict:

True

Surprisingly, the award given to each winner is valued at US$1 (or about RM4). Of course, the golden statuette is made of solid bronze and plated in 24-karat gold, making it worth a few hundred ringgit.

But there is a rule that is stated about its value, and this was made by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Ampas) way back in 1951 so that it cannot be sold to others.

Ampas enforced a strict rule that Oscar winners cannot sell or transfer their trophies without first offering them back to the Academy for the symbolic sum of US$1.

This rule also applies even to heirs who inherit an Oscar.

According to Ampas’ official guidelines: “Award winners shall not sell or otherwise dispose of the Oscar statuette, nor permit it to be sold or disposed of by operation of law, without first offering to sell it to the Academy for the sum of US$1.”

The rule was created to preserve the integrity of the award and to prevent it from becoming a mere collectible for the highest bidder.

However, the rule applies to any gold statuettes awarded from 1951 until today – thus, there was a loophole for Oscars awarded prior to the ruling.

For example, in 1999, American singer-songwriter Michael Jackson paid US$1.54mil (RM6.82mil) for the best picture Oscar awarded to “Gone With the Wind” in 1940.

And in 2011, the 1942 Oscar that the movie “Citizen Kane” was awarded for its screenplay sold at auction for US$861,542 (RM3.816mil).

Also, if you missed the Oscars earlier this week,  you can check out The Star’s coverage of the event here as well as the fashion of those at the event, including our own Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh, here.