During the Dutch "Tulipmania" of 1636-1637, Semper Augustus was among the most sought after, and scarcest tulip varieties. Variegated tulips like Semper Augustus were highly prized during this period, and at the height of the tulip boom, a single bulb of this particular variety was sold for an amount that would have bought a Dutchman a fine house in Amsterdam as well as having fed and clothed his family for a year. The striking pattern of stripes in this tulip were actually caused by a tulip virus that distorted the petal development, and an additional symptom of this virus was to weaken the bulbs themselves, causing propagation to be very difficult. Consequently, Semper Augustus no longer exists in the modern age.