The Guardian:

A factory-sealed third-generation iPod shuffle? $999.95. Mint condition fifth-generation iPod classic, in white? $1,394.99. A silver first-generation iPod mini? Yours for $2,499.99.

But these are on the low end of the price scale. If you have a special edition, especially if it’s still in its original packaging, you could be looking at much more: Apple’s fourth-generation red-and-black special edition released in partnership with the band U2 are trading for around $7,000, used.

And that’s before you get to the real collectors’ items. A first generation iPod classic – “battery is really good for its age” – is on sale priced at $9,999.99. A second-generation, still-boxed iPod classic – that’s the last version that had the moving wheel – is currently listed for an extraordinary $19,999.99.

I found this hard to believe. So I spent a bit of time on eBay.

Prices are definitely rising, but there are still original, first generation iPods to be found for around $150. None that are factory sealed, however. If I was going to shell out money for a collectible like this, that’s probably where I’d start.

My instinct here is that the high prices called out in the article are wishful thinking, asking prices as opposed to actual prices paid.

As always, caveat emptor.