Minox Riga
The Minox Riga is the original Minox subminiature camera, produced by VEF (Valsts Elektrotehniskā Fabrika) in Riga, Latvia from 1938. Designed by Walter Zapp, it uses the 8x11mm film format in a stainless-steel body and was the first model in the Minox line, predating the post-war German production.
At UK auction, hammer prices for the Minox Riga have ranged roughly £310–£900, with a median around £500 across the recorded results. The two most recent sales, in 2019 and 2022, both landed near the £500–£525 mark, suggesting that today the typical Riga is worth in that bracket at saleroom level, while exceptional examples with original accessories can sell for considerably more, as the £900 result from 2013 shows.
Variants
Select a variant to filter the sales history below.
| Variant | Years | Edition | Sales | Price Range |
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| Ritterkreuz | — | — | 4 | £900 – £1,400 |
Sales History
Prices shown are UK auction hammer results — the wholesale level achieved in the saleroom. Neither buyer’s nor seller’s commission is included. Dealer and retail asking prices are typically higher.
Prices updated: November 2025
| Date | Price | Source | Variant | |
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| Nov 2025 | £1,500 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 415) Title: A Minox VEF Riga Sub-Miniature Camera
Description:
1937, three-tooth, serial no. 02503, with Minostigmat f/3.5 15mm lens, body, VG, shutter working, lens, VG, complete with original soft pouch and |
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| Apr 2025 | £88 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 255) Title: A Minox VEF Riga Sub-Miniature Camera
Description:
1937, serial no. 11434, body P, missing part of film cover Notes: Apparently recovered from Kurland battlefield in 2014 |
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| Nov 2024 | £650 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 289) Title: A Minox VEF Riga Sub-Miniature Camera
Description:
1937, three-tooth, serial no. 16558, with Minostigmat f/3.5 15mm lens, body, VG, shutter working, lens, VG, in hand-made case |
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| Jun 2023 | EUR 900 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | Ritterkreuz | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 42 (Lot AI_20220121_1128_41434) Title: Minox Riga 'Ritterkreuz'
Description:
Minox Riga stamped with German eagle and number 'WaA508' - according to some sources these cameras Goering gave as an additional gift for persons awarded with Ritterkreuz after the German Army entered Latvia, in near mint condition and working order Estimate: EUR 1,400 - EUR 1,600 |
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| May 2023 | £775 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 237) Title: A Minox VEF Riga Sub-Miniature Camera
Description:
1937, 3-tooth, nickel, serial no. 12927, with Minostigmat f/3.5 15mm lens, body, VG, shutter working, lens, G, some internal haze |
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| Jan 2023 | USD 550 | 🇺🇸 pedia_sales_tamarkin | — | |
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Auction: 2023 Auction Results (Lot 215) Title: Minox VEF “Riga” Sub-Miniature Camera Nr. 03160
Description:
Minox VEF “Riga” Sub-Miniature Camera Nr. 03160 |
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| Jun 2022 | £525 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine & Rare Cameras (Lot 97) Title: A Minox VEF Riga Sub-Miniature Camera
Description:
1937, three-tooth, with Minostigmat f/3.5 15mm lens, serial no. 11852, body, G, shutter requires attention, lens, VG, in maker's case Note: Lot |
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| Nov 2020 | EUR 1,400 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | Ritterkreuz | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 37 (Lot AI_37_38523) Title: Minox Riga 'Ritterkreuz'
Description:
Minox Riga stamped with German eagle and number 'WaA508' - according to some sources these cameras Goering gave as additional gift for persons awarded with Ritterkreuz after the German Army entered Latvia, in near mint working condition Estimate: EUR 1,400 - EUR 1,600 |
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| Nov 2020 | EUR 5,000 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 37 (Lot AI_37_38753) Title: Minox Riga outfit
Description:
Extensive set Minox Riga (Latvia) with camera in good condition and working order, original leather case, including bakelite processing tank with thermometer, in maker's box, Minox enlager with postcard adapter and ac adapter, tripod adapter, in maker's boxes, with 5 films Estimate: EUR 10,000 - EUR 12,000 |
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| Nov 2019 | EUR 500 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 35 (Lot AI_35_37957) Title: Minox Riga
Description:
clean and early Minox Riga made in Latvia, feet scale, in good working condition, with case Estimate: EUR 1,000 - EUR 1,200 |
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| Nov 2019 | EUR 700 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 35 (Lot AI_35_37744) Title: Minox Riga
Description:
clean and early Minox made in Latvia, meter scale, in good working condition, with red case, maker's box, two film cassettes in metal box Estimate: EUR 1,000 - EUR 1,200 |
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| Apr 2019 | £540 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica & Instruments of Science & Medicine (Lot 319) Title: A Minox VEF Riga Sub-Miniature Camera
Description:
1937, chrome, with Microstigmar f/3.5 15mm lens, body, VG, shutter sticking, unable to open back, lens, VG, in maker's case |
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| Nov 2018 | EUR 500 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 33 (Lot AI_33_36911) Title: Minox Riga
Description:
clean and early Minox Riga made in Latvia, feet scale, in good working condition Estimate: EUR 1,000 - EUR 1,200 |
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| Nov 2018 | EUR 500 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 33 (Lot AI_33_36874) Title: Minox Riga
Description:
clean and early Riga made in Latvia, feet scale, in good working condition, with original Riga case Estimate: EUR 1,000 - EUR 1,200 |
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| Mar 2018 | EUR 1,000 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | Ritterkreuz | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 32 (Lot AI_32_35891) Title: Minox Riga 'Ritterkreuz'
Description:
very rare version stamped with German eagle and number 'WaR124', in near mint and working condition Estimate: EUR 2,000 - EUR 2,400 |
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| Mar 2018 | EUR 500 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 32 (Lot AI_32_35810) Title: Minox Riga
Description:
late camera made in Latvia, in beautiful near mint condition and in good working order, with black maker's box Estimate: EUR 1,000 - EUR 1,200 |
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| Mar 2018 | EUR 1,400 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | Ritterkreuz | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 32 (Lot AI_32_35890) Title: Minox Riga 'Ritterkreuz'
Description:
Minox Riga stamped with German eagle and number 'WaA508' - these cameras Goering gave as additional gift for persons awarded with Ritterkreuz after the German Army entered Latvia, in near mint working condition, case Estimate: EUR 2,000 - EUR 2,400 |
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| Nov 2016 | EUR 380 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 29 (Lot AI_29_33554) Title: Minox Riga
Description:
early camera in original condition and good working order Estimate: EUR 400 - EUR 500 |
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| Jul 2016 | £95 | 🇬🇧 Harper Field Auctions | — | |
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Auction: Buying & Selling (Lot 990) Title: A VEF Minox Riga spy camera.
Description:
A VEF Minox Riga spy camera. |
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| Nov 2014 | EUR 440 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 26 (Lot AI_26_30978) Title: Minox Riga
Description:
early camera in original condition and good working order, two very small dents, original leather case, two film cassettes in matching Riga metal box Estimate: EUR 400 - EUR 500 |
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| Nov 2013 | EUR 500 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 24 (Lot AI_24_27483) Title: Minox Riga
Description:
very clean and early Riga made in Latvia, meter scale, in good working condition, no dents or big scratches, original clip case Estimate: EUR 900 - EUR 1,100 |
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| Nov 2013 | EUR 900 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 24 (Lot AI_24_20791) Title: Minox Riga
Description:
clean and early Riga made in Latvia, feet scale, in good working condition, no dents or big scratches, original Riga case Estimate: EUR 800 - EUR 900 |
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| May 2013 | EUR 420 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 23 (Lot AI_23_10394) Title: Minox Riga
Description:
very clean and early Riga made in Latvia, meter scale, in good working condition, no dents or big scratches, original zipper case Estimate: EUR 800 - EUR 900 |
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| May 2013 | EUR 320 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 23 (Lot AI_23_10548) Title: Minox Riga
Description:
made in Latvia, meter scale, modified to accept Minox straps, green case, instruction book Estimate: EUR 600 - EUR 700 |
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| Nov 2012 | EUR 850 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 22 (Lot AI_22_14839) Title: Minox Riga
Description:
original Riga in good cosmetically condition, meter scale, case (shutter needs service), interesting camera as the original engraving 'MADE IN USSR' was milled-out and re-engraved with 'Made in Latvia', with original case Estimate: EUR 700 - EUR 900 |
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| Nov 2012 | EUR 400 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 22 (Lot AI_22_14840) Title: Minox Riga
Description:
very clean Riga 'Made in Latvia', meter scale, in near mint and good working condition Estimate: EUR 800 - EUR 1,000 |
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| May 2012 | EUR 1,200 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 21 (Lot AI_21_14246) Title: Minox Riga 'USSR'
Description:
Minox Riga, very rare with original engraving 'Made in USSR', in fine working condition Estimate: EUR 2,000 - EUR 2,400 |
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| May 2012 | EUR 5,100 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 21 (Lot AI_21_14247) Title: Minox Riga outfit
Description:
very rare outfit with Minox Riga 'Made in Latvia' (meter scale) with original case and black/silver box, VEF negative viewer (engraved 'Made in Latvia'), VEF tripod head (engraved 'Made in Latvia'), brass prototype tripod head with chrome screw, rare bakelite Riga enlarger with cable and transformer - all in very fine condition Estimate: EUR 3,500 - EUR 4,000 |
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| Dec 2010 | EUR 800 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 18 (Lot AI_18_12240) Title: VEF Minox Riga "Made in USSR"
Description:
fully original and very rare "USSR" Riga with correct engravings, in working condition, side engraved 'W.S. RIGA 1941' Estimate: EUR 1,600 - EUR 1,800 |
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| Dec 2010 | EUR 460 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 18 (Lot AI_18_12238) Title: Minox Riga
Description:
very early Riga made in Latvia, meter scale, in good working condition, no dents, in original maker's box Estimate: EUR 800 - EUR 1,000 |
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| Dec 2009 | EUR 400 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 16 (Lot AI_16_19578) Title: Minox Riga
Description:
very clean Riga made in Latvia, in Meter, in good working condition, small dent on one corner, no big scratches, case Estimate: EUR 700 - EUR 900 |
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| May 2009 | EUR 300 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 15 (Lot AI_15_18392) Title: Minox Riga
Description:
original Riga in good cosmetically condition with case (needs service) Estimate: EUR 600 - EUR 700 |
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| May 2009 | EUR 560 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 15 (Lot AI_15_18766) Title: Minox Riga
Description:
very clean and early Riga made in Latvia, meter scale, in good working condition, no dents or big scratches, case Estimate: EUR 700 - EUR 800 |
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| Jun 2008 | EUR 450 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 13 (Lot AI_13_17100) Title: Minox Riga
Description:
Minox Riga in very nice, original condition, engraved: VEF MINOX RIGA Made in Latvia, in perfect technical order, in meter, small dent on the right front corner, case Estimate: EUR 800 - EUR 900 |
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| Jun 2008 | EUR 360 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 13 (Lot AI_13_17101) Title: Minox Riga
Description:
camera in good and fully working condition, red Minox A case Estimate: EUR 500 - EUR 600 |
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| Nov 2007 | EUR 500 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 12 (Lot AI_12_20270) Title: Minox Riga
Description:
Minox Riga in very nice, original condition, engraved: VEF MINOX RIGA Made in Latvia, in perfect technical order, in feet Estimate: EUR 800 - EUR 900 |
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| Mar 2007 | £312 | 🇬🇧 Christie's | — | |
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Auction: Cameras, Photographs and Optical Toys (Lot 344) Title: Minox no. 1131
Description:
Minox no. 1131 Estimate: £180 - £250 |
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| Mar 2007 | £384 | 🇬🇧 Christie's | — | |
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Auction: Cameras, Photographs and Optical Toys (Lot 345) Title: Minox no. 6267
Description:
Minox no. 6267 Estimate: £250 - £350 |
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| Nov 2006 | £240 | 🇬🇧 Christie's | — | |
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Auction: Cameras, Photographs and Optical Toys (Lot 440) Title: Minox no. 14612
Description:
Minox no. 14612 Estimate: £300 - £500 |
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| Nov 2006 | EUR 3,200 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 10 (Lot AI_10_14946) Title: Minox Riga
Description:
extremely early serial number (production started with number 01000), with early features - the original engraving on the back (VEF Riga in the middle) is still visible under later logo (VEF MINOX RIGA), the original engraving "Pat.app" also was replaced with "Patented", slanted engraving on the lens cover, three tooth winding claw, in perfect working condition, even though the camera has been mechanically updated (maybe as the result of maintenance or repair ) it is still the earliest Minox known to exist, case with zipper Estimate: EUR 2,000 - EUR 2,500 |
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| Nov 2005 | EUR 1,100 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 8 (Lot AI_8_25812) Title: Minox Riga
Description:
very early Minox Riga in original condition (Pat.app), corner with dent, original VEF case Estimate: EUR 1,000 - EUR 1,200 |
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| Nov 2005 | EUR 500 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 8 (Lot AI_8_25813) Title: Minox Riga
Description:
early camera in very good condition, case (f. Minox A) Estimate: EUR 800 - EUR 1,000 |
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| Nov 2005 | £336 | 🇬🇧 Christie's | — | |
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Auction: CAMERAS, MAGIC LANTERNS AND OPTICAL TOYS (Lot 383) Title: Minox no. 15467
Description:
Minox no. 15467 Estimate: £300 - £400 |
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| May 2005 | EUR 600 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 7 (Lot AI_7_25033) Title: Minox Riga
Description:
Minox Riga in very nice, original condition, in perfect technical order, in feet, original leather case Estimate: EUR 900 - EUR 1,100 |
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| May 2005 | EUR 1,600 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 7 (Lot AI_7_25034) Title: Minox Riga USSR
Description:
very rare Minox with original engraving: VEF MINOX, Made in USSR, Patented (2.version of the USSR Minox Riga) in very good and working condition Estimate: EUR 2,000 - EUR 2,400 |
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| Sep 2004 | £358 | 🇬🇧 Christie's | — | |
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Auction: CAMERAS AND PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT (Lot 272) Title: Minox no. 11819
Description:
Minox no. 11819 Estimate: £400 - £600 |
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| Sep 2003 | £411 | 🇬🇧 Christie's | — | |
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Auction: CAMERAS & PHOTO EQUIP, INCLUDING A EUROPEAN LEICA COLLECTION (Lot 329) Title: Minox no. 7683
Description:
Minox no. 7683 Estimate: £400 - £600 |
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| May 2001 | £564 | 🇬🇧 Christie's | — | |
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Auction: MAGIC LANTERNS, OPTICAL TOYS AND CAMERAS (Lot 299) Title: MINOX NO. 02189
Description:
MINOX NO. 02189 Estimate: £400 - £600 |
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| May 2001 | £493 | 🇬🇧 Christie's | — | |
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Auction: MAGIC LANTERNS, OPTICAL TOYS AND CAMERAS (Lot 300) Title: MINOX NO. 04362
Description:
MINOX NO. 04362 Estimate: £300 - £500 |
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| Jul 2000 | £493 | 🇬🇧 Christie's | — | |
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Auction: CAMERAS AND PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT (Lot 196) Title: Minox no. 5977
Description:
Minox no. 5977 Estimate: £400 - £600 |
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| Jan 2000 | £805 | 🇬🇧 Christie's | — | |
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Auction: Photographs, Cameras and Photographic Equipment (Lot 340) Title: Original Minox no. 11431
Description:
Original Minox no. 11431 Estimate: £300 - £500 |
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| Jul 1999 | £437 | 🇬🇧 Christie's | — | |
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Auction: Cameras and Optical Toys (Lot 210) Title: Original Minox no. 09100
Description:
Original Minox no. 09100 Estimate: £300 - £400 |
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| Jan 1999 | £1,035 | 🇬🇧 Christie's | — | |
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Auction: Cameras, The Property of a Collector (Lot 215) Title: Original Minox no. 09963
Description:
Original Minox no. 09963 Estimate: £800 - £1,200 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Minox Riga worth today?
Based on UK auction records, a Minox Riga is typically worth around £500 at hammer, with the broader range running from about £310 for tired examples up to £900 for clean, well-accessorised ones.
How much does a Minox Riga sell for at auction?
Recent UK auction results show the Riga selling for £500–£525, while older results across the past two decades sit within a £310–£900 range depending on condition and accessories.
Why is the Minox Riga collectable?
It is the first Minox subminiature camera, made in Latvia from 1938, and its stainless-steel construction and pre-war production history give it a distinct place in the Minox lineage that drives its value above the later German-made models.
What should I check before buying a Minox Riga?
Confirm that the shutter fires across its speed range, that the pull-push mechanism is smooth, that the body is free of corrosion, and that any included cassettes are genuine VEF-era items rather than later replacements.