What Is the Nova | Antique

What is Nova | Antique? The Nova | Antique is a striking shotgun skin in Counter-Strike 2, featuring intricate, hand-engraved brass and deep wooden accents that give it a unique, vintage feel. Nova | Antique in CS2 (CS:GO) stands out as one of the most visually distinguished skins for the Nova, making it a favorite among both players and collectors who appreciate ornate, classical weapon finishes.

The CS2 (CS:GO) Nova | Antique is recognized not only for its detailed design but also for its prestige in the community. Its classic look and relative rarity elevate its status among competitive players and eSports professionals, who often display it in high-profile matches. For collectors, the CS2 (CS:GO) Nova | Antique holds significant value due to its limited availability, memorable appearance, and association with historical Counter-Strike operations. As a result, it maintains a strong presence in both competitive play and trading circles, embodying a blend of elegance and history appreciated throughout the CS2 (CS:GO) community.

The History of the Nova | Antique in CS2 (CS:GO)

Designed by community artist kosear, the Nova | Antique melds classic engraving with steampunk-style brass and wood accents. Appearing for the first time on July 1, 2014, it was introduced as part of The Operation Breakout Weapon Case during the launch of CS:GO’s Operation Breakout event. Nova | Antique in CS2 (CS:GO), from the start, drew attention for its ornate, historical aesthetic, which stood out among the more modern and tactical skins available at the time.

Its popularity grew rapidly thanks to Twitch streamers, YouTubers, and pro players who showcased the skin during key CS:GO Majors. Community hype spiked during the Operation Breakout launch period, solidifying the skin’s reputation as highly desirable.

Transitioning into CS2, the CS2 (CS:GO) Nova | Antique continued to be a popular shotgun choice due to its unique visuals and its historic status as one of the premier decorative skins for the Nova. The classic appearance and legacy of the skin keep it relevant in trading circles and pro inventories, making it a timeless addition for any serious collector or competitive player.

How Rare Is the Nova | Antique?

Nova | Antique in CS2 (CS:GO) is classified as a Classified (Pink) rarity skin, which is relatively rare compared to other Nova skins. Originally, it could only be obtained by unboxing The Operation Breakout Weapon Case. Because Operation Breakout cases were later discontinued, the resulting CS2 (CS:GO) Nova | Antique supply is finite—significantly boosting its collectibility and market value.

The rarity of Nova | Antique means unboxing odds are slim compared to lower-tier skins. There is no Souvenir version of this skin, which makes traditional unboxing or trading the only way to acquire it. Its popularity remains high thanks to its detailed finish and its association with historic CS:GO events. The limited supply and continued demand mean that the Nova | Antique is both sought-after and retains strong market interest among players and collectors alike.

Nova | Antique Wear Levels and Conditions

Pattern description
CS2 (CS:GO) Nova | Antique features an opulent, engraved brass body and dark wood stock, accented with classic floral motifs. The finish’s ornate design draws from steampunk and vintage weapon influences.

Pattern difference
There is no significant pattern variability—each Nova | Antique in CS2 (CS:GO) looks consistent regardless of pattern index.

Effect of float
Nova | Antique float value spans from 0.00 to 0.50, making it available in all standard wear tiers. Higher float values introduce more scratches, especially across the brass and wood panels.

Skin Features
Available as both a regular and StatTrak™ variant, which tracks kills in-game.

Nova | Antique factory new: Features pristine brass engravings and deep, flawless wood. Prices typically range from $18-$30 USD. This version is beloved by collectors for its visually untouched look.

Nova | Antique minimal wear: Slight abrasions on close inspection, mostly on metallic edges. Priced between $15-$22 USD, it’s an optimal balance of quality and affordability.

Nova | Antique Field Tested: Moderate wear and scratches, especially on high-touch points. Price decreases to $10-$15 USD, still a popular choice for players wanting aesthetics at a lower budget.

Nova | Antique well worn: Noticeable scratches with more faded metal tones. Priced between $9-$12 USD, it offers vintage charm but less crisp detail.

Nova | Antique Battle Scarred: Heavy surface wear, significant loss of detail in brass engravings. Prices hover around $8-$10 USD; least popular with collectors but accessible.

Nova | Antique StatTrak: Available for all wear grades. StatTrak variants command a premium ($5-$15 more) since they count kills—a desirable feature for stat-focused collectors.

The Nova | Antique finish retains its core beauty across float ranges, but lower floats are most visually pristine and highly prized. Every Nova | Antique float value impacts the skin’s price and appearance, with Factory New commanding the highest tier.

Nova | Antique Price & Market Value

Nova | Antique in CS2 (CS:GO) holds a stable market position in the Steam Community Market and third-party trading sites. The average Nova | Antique price is:

• Factory New: $18-$30 USD
• Minimal Wear: $15-$22 USD
• Field-Tested: $10-$15 USD
• Well-Worn: $9-$12 USD
• Battle-Scarred: $8-$10 USD

The CS2 (CS:GO) Nova | Antique also comes in StatTrak™ variants, which increase the Nova | Antique price by $5-$15, depending on the float and market demand.

How much is the Nova | Antique Souvenir? There is no Souvenir version, so standard and StatTrak market prices remain the reference.

Factors influencing the Nova | Antique price include float value, StatTrak capability, and attached stickers from pro tournaments. Rare float values, particularly Factory New and exceptionally low floats, attract a premium from collectors.

Is Nova | Antique worth buying? Yes—if you appreciate intricate designs and want a collectible skin that balances affordability with historical significance, Nova | Antique is a valuable addition to any inventory.

What Is the Souvenir Nova | Antique

Souvenir skins in Counter-Strike 2 are special items dropped during Major tournaments, often featuring pro player team stickers and commemorative match details. However, there is no Souvenir version of the Nova | Antique in CS2 (CS:GO). This means it cannot be obtained through Souvenir packages and does not come with professional player stickers or tournament associations. As such, collectors and fans seeking memorabilia linked to official CS events will not find a Souvenir Nova | Antique, focusing instead on the standard and StatTrak™ versions.

Famous Players & Streamers with Nova | Antique

While the Nova | Antique is not the first shotgun skin that comes to mind among professional players, it has appeared in several pro and popular streamer inventories over the years, especially those who curate classic or beautiful weapon collections. Notably, the skin has been used or showcased by Skadoodle and legendary streamer Anomaly, who is well-known for his skin shows and inventory tours. Their showcasing of the Nova | Antique has consistently helped to increase community interest and desirability, influencing both casual players and skin enthusiasts alike. The skin’s historical significance from Operation Breakout and ornate design make it a recurring favorite for influential content creators looking to display vintage CS2 (CS:GO) style.

Alternatives to Nova | Antique

Alternatives to the Nova | Antique include the Nova | Hyper Beast for its colorful, modern look, Nova | Baroque Orange for rich decorative flair at a lower price, and Nova | Bloomstick for striking floral patterns. Each offers unique aesthetics and price points, catering to different styles compared to the more vintage-themed Nova | Antique.

Final Thoughts for Collectors and Players

Nova | Antique in CS2 (CS:GO) stands out for its elegant design, strong historical roots, and continued desirability among collectors. The CS2 (CS:GO) Nova | Antique is a top choice for players and traders who appreciate timeless weapon skins. This content was generated with the assistance of AI and carefully reviewed, fact-checked, and verified by a human editor.