It’s no secret that domain names are unique assets, much like real estate properties. And just like properties, no two domains are created equal. Take for instance Cherished.com, a domain that only we have exclusive rights to use. This is precisely why valuable dot-com domains come at a steep price. Most of the highly-coveted domains are already taken, making them highly sought after in the aftermarket.

To give you a glimpse of just how much people and businesses are willing to shell out for these virtual properties, we’ve compiled a list of the most expensive domain names ever sold. The information was gathered from various public sources and ranked by their sale price. It’s worth noting, however, that private transactions that occur on a daily basis aren’t included in this list. Experts estimate that up to 75% of domain sales happen privately. After all, discretion is often a must for high-end buyers. Also, domains sold as part of a pre-existing website or business aren’t accounted for in this list.