Orson Welles' 'Citizen Kane' Oscar up for Auction

(NewsCore) - LOS ANGELES -- The Academy Award statuette given to Orson Welles for co-writing "Citizen Kane" was put up for auction online Monday.

The Best Original Screenplay Oscar, awarded to Welles and Herman J. Mankiewicz for the acclaimed 1941 film, was Welles' only Academy Award.

It is being sold by the Dax Foundation, a Los Angeles charity, through Nate D. Sanders Auctions, The Wrap reported.

The charity aims to assist "key individuals and groups who have a vision and commitment to improve the lives of people and animals around the world," according to its website.

The Dax Foundation acquired the Oscar from Welles' daughter Beatrice in 2003, and unsuccessfully attempted to auction it off in December 2007.

The trophy has changed hands several times. Welles originally gave it to cinematographer Gary Graver in lieu of money for working on his later projects.

Graver later sold it to a company called Bay Holdings, which offered it to Sotheby's in London, but Beatrice Welles claimed her father intended her to have it and successfully sued Graver and Bay Holdings.

Nate D. Sanders Auctions is accepting bids on the Oscar through Dec. 20. As of Monday afternoon, bidding was at just over $60,000.