A rare copy of the U.S. Constitution was sold at a record price.
Douglas Sacha, Getty Images
Sotheby’s stated that an extremely rare original of the U.S. Constitution was sold for $43 million on Thursday, setting a world record for auctioning historical documents.
It is one of the only 11 copies of the United States Charter known to exist. The Charter was signed in the Independence Hall in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787, and was signed by the founding fathers of the United States such as George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and James Madison. It was approved the following year.
The winning bidder was not immediately determined.
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The consortium stated that a group of cryptocurrency investors raised $40 million to purchase the document, but failed to ensure the security of the document.
A Sotheby’s spokesperson stated that the auction — $43.2 million including commissions — set a world record for auctioning historical documents.
Selby Kiffer, a Sotheby’s manuscript and ancient book expert, said in September that this copy may be part of the 500 edition printed on the eve of signing.
Kiefer said that this is the only one in private hands.
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