A rare 237-year-old copy of the US Constitution has been sold at auction for a whopping $9m (£7m). The document was discovered in a historic building in North Carolina in 2022, inside a dusty old filing cabinet.
The copy was printed in 1787 after delegates from the colonial states met for the Constitutional Convention and drafted what would become the founding document of the US federal government. There are believed to be only eight copies like this one left in existence, and seven of them are publicly owned.
The identity of the buyer - who placed bids by phone - was not disclosed. The bids came in at $50,000 increments and Thursday's sale took just seven minutes. The Constitution was uncovered two years ago at a historical plantation once owned by Samuel Johnston, who was the North Carolina governor at the time the document was written.
In 1983, a copy of the Declaration of Independence found at the same property sold for $412,500, but the copy of the Constitution was somehow not discovered until 2022. Along with the draft Constitution was a letter signed by George Washington - who would go on to become the first American president - asking that each state ratify the document.
"To secure all rights of independent sovereignty to each and yet provide for the interest and safety for all - individuals entering into society must give up a share of liberty to preserve the rest," Washington wrote.
The last time a US Constitution like this went under the gavel was in 1891, and it sold for $400. The auction took place in Asheville, and had been delayed after Hurricane Helene brought widespread destruction to the region last month.
The Printed Archetype
The document, known as a "Printed Archetype" of the Constitution, was one of about 100 copies printed by the secretary of the Continental Congress, Charles Thomson, in 1787. These copies were sent to the states for ratification. Only eight of these original copies are known to still exist, and seven of them are in public ownership. The copy sold at auction is the only one in private hands.
The Printed Archetype found in North Carolina is significant for a couple of reasons. First, it was discovered in the home of Samuel Johnston, the governor of North Carolina from 1787 to 1789. Johnston played a key role in the ratification of the Constitution and oversaw the state convention that approved it in 1788. Second, the copy is signed by Charles Thomson, the secretary of the Continental Congress, who certified the document as authentic.
The Auction and the Buyer
The auction took place at Brunk Auctions in Asheville, North Carolina. The minimum bid was $1 million, and the sale took just seven minutes. The final price, including the buyer's premium, was $11,070,000. The identity of the buyer, who placed bids by phone, was not disclosed.
The Value of the Constitution
The sale of the Printed Archetype for $9 million underscores the immense historical value of the US Constitution. The last time a copy of the Constitution that was sent to the states sold was in 1891, and it sold for $400. In 2021, Sotheby's of New York sold one of only 14 remaining copies of the Constitution printed for the Continental Congress and delegates to the Constitutional Convention for $43.2 million, a record for a book or document.
The Printed Archetype sold at auction this week is a unique piece of American history. Its discovery in a dusty old filing cabinet and its subsequent sale for a record-breaking price highlight the enduring power of the US Constitution and its importance to American identity.
A Constitution’s Journey
The document’s unexpected journey from a forgotten filing cabinet to a $9 million auction illustrates a fascinating intersection of history, personal ownership, and a nation’s evolving understanding of its founding principles. As one of the few remaining copies printed in 1787, the Printed Archetype is a tangible link to the founding of the United States. Its sale underscores the enduring relevance of the Constitution, even as the nation navigates new and complex challenges in the 21st century.
This discovery also raises questions about the care and preservation of historical documents and the potential for unexpected finds in seemingly ordinary places. It serves as a reminder that history is not just contained within museums and archives, but can be found in the most unassuming places.
The Printed Archetype, with its origins in a historic home and its journey through time, serves as a compelling reminder of the enduring power of the US Constitution. Its journey is a testament to the value of history, the importance of preservation, and the enduring influence of a document that has shaped the course of American history.
