***File Photo*** The Best Director Academy Award handed to Michael Curtiz for 1942 classic Casablanca is expected to sell for more than $2.5 million (£1.5 million) when it goes under the hammer this week (begs25Jun12). The gold statue, which late moviemaker Curtiz won in 1943, had already garnered $369,000 (£230,000) in an online bid by Monday (25Jun12), and organisers anticipate it could sell for as much as $3 million (£1.8 million) by the time the auction closes. Magician David Copperfield had previously paid $231,500 (£144,687) for the Oscar, but bosses at auctioneers Nate D. Sanders are refusing to name the latest seller. The Academy Award will be sold to the highest bidder on Thursday (28Jun12), according to Reuters. The 'Best Director' Academy Award handed to Michael Curtiz for the classic movie 'Casablanca' **Available for publication in the UK & USA only. Not for publication in the rest of the world** Credit: -