Is Harvard's unofficial copy of Magna Carta actually an original?
Asked by: Jordyn Tremblay | Last update: June 25, 2026Score: 4.8/5 (13 votes)
Yes, Harvard Law School’s supposed "copy" of the Magna Carta is an authentic, original document from 1300, researchers confirmed in May 2025. Long thought to be a mere copy, this document—identified as HLS MS 172—is actually one of only seven surviving originals from the 1300 Edward I issue.
Did Harvard discover its copy of the Magna Carta was real?
It took 78 years for Harvard to discover its fake Magna Carta is real. Harvard Law School bought what it thought was a copy of the Magna Carta in 1946 for $27.50 — but it's a real one from 1300 A.D. and worth quite a bit more.
Does Harvard have a real copy of the Magna Carta?
British researchers have discovered that a 'copy' of Magna Carta owned by Harvard Law School is in fact an extraordinarily rare original from 1300.
Does the original copy of the Magna Carta still exist?
Yes, multiple original, physical copies of the 1215 Magna Carta still exist, along with several later reissued versions from the 13th century. Only four original 1215 charters survive, housed at the British Library, Lincoln Castle, and Salisbury Cathedral.
Is Harvard's rare Magna Carta copy is from 1300 not a copy?
But British researchers now have determined that Harvard's Magna Carta is in fact an original from King Edward I's 1300 re-issue of that pivotal document — one of just seven to survive — that forms the basis for the constitutions of many nations.
Harvard’s Cheap Magna Carta Copy Turns Out To Be A Priceless Treasure | Harvard Discovery
Where are the original copies of Magna Carta?
Two are kept in the British Library (one of which was badly damaged by fire in 1731), one in Salisbury cathedral, and one in Lincoln castle. They were all written out by different people, and while little is known about who those people were, the documents themselves provide a fascinating insight into their labours.
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.
Does Trump have a Harvard degree?
No, Donald Trump does not have a degree from Harvard University. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School in 1968 with a Bachelor of Science in economics, after transferring from Fordham University. While he attended an Ivy League institution, it was not Harvard.
Where is the best copy of the Magna Carta?
Salisbury. The Salisbury Magna Carta is the best preserved of the surviving four examples and is on public view in the Chapter House of the Cathedral of St. Mary - the more correct title of Salisbury Cathedral.
What are the three lies of Harvard?
The "3 Lies of Harvard" refer to the John Harvard Statue in Harvard Yard, which features an inscription that is historically inaccurate on three counts:
How much is an original copy of the 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.
What does clause 52 of the Magna Carta mean?
The drafters of Clause 52 pinpointed disseisin, the unlawful seizure of land, as the most objectionable of these and demanded an immediate remedy for it – as, indeed, the barons had already done earlier in the year, when they swore to take action against the king `until he swore to restore to the leading men of England ...
Does Harvard have a real Magna Carta?
British researchers have discovered that a 'copy' of Magna Carta owned by Harvard Law School is in fact an extraordinarily rare original from 1300.
What is rule 61 of the Magna Carta?
Clause 61 of the 1215 Magna Carta, known as the "security clause," authorized a council of 25 barons to use force to compel King John to uphold the Charter's liberties, often cited in discussions of "lawful rebellion". It is not currently in force and was omitted from all reissues, including the 1297 version.
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 63 of the Magna Carta mean?
* (63) IT IS ACCORDINGLY OUR WISH AND COMMAND that the English Church shall be free, and that men in our kingdom shall have and keep all these liberties, rights, and concessions, well and peaceably in their fullness and entirety for them and their heirs, of us and our heirs, in all things and all places for ever.
Does Lincoln Castle have the Magna Carta?
Lincoln Castle is now the only place in the world where an original 1215 Magna Carta and 1217 Charter of the Forest can be seen side by side, on permanent loan from Lincoln Cathedral.