How much is a copy of the Magna Carta worth?
Asked by: scraper | Last update: September 16, 2026Score: 0/5 (0 votes)
An original historical copy of the Magna Carta is valued at roughly $20 million to $21 million. Because they are considered priceless national treasures, most of the surviving medieval copies are kept in museums and are almost never sold.
What is an original copy of Magna Carta worth?
A 710-year-old version of Magna Carta was sold in 2007 for $21.3 million.
Does the original copy of the Magna Carta still exist?
Yes, multiple original copies still exist.
How much does Magna Carta cost?
An original 1297 issue of the Magna Carta is worth over $20 million, highlighted by its 2007 sale for $21.3 million. These rare, centuries-old sheepskin documents, which established the foundation for modern law, are considered priceless historical treasures, with only a few remaining in private hands.
Who currently owns the Magna Carta?
In December 2007 Rubenstein purchased the last privately owned copy of Magna Carta at Sotheby's auction house in New York for $21.3 million. He has lent it to the National Archives in Washington, D.C. In 2011, Rubenstein gave $13.5 million to the National Archives for a new gallery and visitor center.
Cheap Magna Carta 'copy' now believed to be worth millions
How many copies of Magna Carta exist?
There are exactly 4 original 1215 copies of the Magna Carta still in existence, alongside about two dozen authenticated later reissues from the 13th century.
What is rule 61 of the Magna Carta?
Article 61 of the 1215 Magna Carta (technically "Clause 61") was the "security clause" that established a committee of 25 barons to monitor King John. It authorized them to wage war against the King—by seizing his castles and lands—if he breached the charter's terms.
Does the US have a copy of the Magna Carta?
Yes, the United States has an original 1297 issue of the Magna Carta, which is permanently on display at the National Archives in Washington, D.C.. It was purchased by philanthropist David M. Rubenstein in 2007 and loaned to the archives, where it is shown alongside American founding documents.
What does Magna Carta literally mean?
In Latin, Magna Carta literally translates to "Great Charter".
What is the most famous single document in the history of the world?
Magna Carta is called the most important document in history. So important that people still call upon it 800 years later. But where did it come from and why did people die for it? Jump into the 13th century and decide for yourself why Magna Carta keeps coming back…
What does clause 52 of the Magna Carta mean?
Clause 52 of the 1215 Magna Carta was an emergency restitution and dispute resolution rule. It mandated that King John immediately restore any lands, castles, or liberties seized without a lawful judgment by a person's peers. Any disputes were to be judged by the newly established committee of 25 barons.
How much did Harvard pay for Magna Carta?
An authentic Magna Carta has been discovered in Harvard's archives A pair of U.K. scholars discovered the mislabeled document in Harvard Law School's digital archives. The university bought it for just $27.50 in 1946. It turned out to be an authentic copy dating to 1300.
What was the famous quote from the Magna Carta?
The Magna Carta, sealed by King John at Runnymede in 1215, remains a foundational document of constitutional law. Its famous quotes establish the principle that no individual, including the monarch, is above the law, forming the basis for modern human rights and democratic governance.
What does clause 45 of the Magna Carta mean?
Clause 45 said that men were not to be appointed sheriffs and justices who did not know the law of the land or wish to observe it well. Philip Mark and other foreign-born officials of King John were expelled under the terms of clause 50 of the Charter. Magna Carta FAQ: Answers.
How much is an original copy of Magna Carta worth?
An original 13th-century Magna Carta is worth over $20 million, exemplified by a 1297 copy sold in 2007 for $21.3 million. A recently authenticated 1300 version at Harvard Law School, purchased in 1946 for only $27.50, is now estimated to be worth millions of dollars.
Where is the original Magna Carta kept today?
There are only four surviving original copies of the 1215 Magna Carta. They are housed at three specific locations in the United Kingdom:
What does clause 13 of the Magna Carta mean?
+ (13) The city of London shall enjoy all its ancient liberties and free customs, both by land and by water. We also will and grant that all other cities, boroughs, towns, and ports shall enjoy all their liberties and free customs.
Who did Harvard buy the Magna Carta from?
How did an original 1300 Magna Carta end up at Harvard? In 1945, a Royal Air Force veteran, who had inherited the document, sold it at a Sotheby's auction, where it was incorrectly dated to 1327. The London book dealer Sweet & Maxwell purchased it for £42.
How much does the Magna Carta cost?
An original 1297 issue of the Magna Carta is worth over $20 million, highlighted by its 2007 sale for $21.3 million. These rare, centuries-old sheepskin documents, which established the foundation for modern law, are considered priceless historical treasures, with only a few remaining in private hands.
Which president signed the Magna Carta?
The Act, which is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 2396 and House Bill No. 4273, was finally passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives on May 19, 2009 and May 20, 2009, respectively. It was signed into law by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on August 14, 2009.
Does the US have the Magna Carta?
Yes, there are at least two original, historic copies of the Magna Carta in the United States. The most famous is a 1297 issue on permanent display at the National Archives in Washington, D.C., and a second 1300 issue was discovered in 2025 to be in the possession of Harvard Law School.
What is the most important document in the world?
Because "importance" is subjective, there is no single document that holds that title for everyone. Instead, the most important documents are divided by the foundations of modern society, human rights, law, and science:
Who owns the original copy of the constitution?
Located on the upper level of the National Archives, the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom is the permanent home of the original Declaration of Independence, Constitution of the United States, and Bill of Rights.