CameraWorth.com

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.

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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
Nov 2025 £1,500 Flints Auctions
Apr 2025 £88 Flints Auctions
Nov 2024 £650 Flints Auctions
May 2023 £775 Flints Auctions
Jan 2023 USD 550 pedia_sales_tamarkin
Jun 2022 £525 Flints Auctions
Nov 2020 EUR 5,000 Leitz Auction
Nov 2019 EUR 500 Leitz Auction
Nov 2019 EUR 700 Leitz Auction
Apr 2019 £540 Flints Auctions
Nov 2018 EUR 500 Leitz Auction
Nov 2018 EUR 500 Leitz Auction
Mar 2018 EUR 500 Leitz Auction
Nov 2016 EUR 380 Leitz Auction
Jul 2016 £95 Harper Field Auctions
Nov 2014 EUR 440 Leitz Auction
Nov 2013 EUR 500 Leitz Auction
Nov 2013 EUR 900 Leitz Auction
May 2013 EUR 420 Leitz Auction
May 2013 EUR 320 Leitz Auction
Nov 2012 EUR 400 Leitz Auction
Nov 2012 EUR 850 Leitz Auction
May 2012 EUR 5,100 Leitz Auction
Dec 2010 EUR 800 Leitz Auction
Dec 2010 EUR 460 Leitz Auction
Dec 2009 EUR 400 Leitz Auction
May 2009 EUR 560 Leitz Auction
May 2009 EUR 300 Leitz Auction
Jun 2008 EUR 360 Leitz Auction
Jun 2008 EUR 450 Leitz Auction
Nov 2007 EUR 500 Leitz Auction
Mar 2007 £312 Christie's
Mar 2007 £384 Christie's
Nov 2006 £240 Christie's
Nov 2006 EUR 3,200 Leitz Auction
Nov 2005 EUR 500 Leitz Auction
Nov 2005 EUR 1,100 Leitz Auction
Nov 2005 £336 Christie's
May 2005 EUR 600 Leitz Auction
May 2005 EUR 1,600 Leitz Auction
Sep 2004 £358 Christie's
Sep 2003 £411 Christie's
May 2001 £564 Christie's
May 2001 £493 Christie's
Jul 2000 £493 Christie's
Jan 2000 £805 Christie's
Jul 1999 £437 Christie's
Jan 1999 £1,035 Christie's

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.

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