A unique edition of the U.S. Constitution, printed 237 years ago, is hitting the auction block this Thursday in North Carolina. This rare document, which played a key role during the ratification process post-Constitutional Convention in 1787, starts at a staggering bid of $1 million.
The auction will be managed by Brunk Auctions, and it’s believed that this copy is the only one still held privately. It was printed by Charles Thomson, who served as the secretary of Congress under the Articles of Confederation, and of the approximately 100 copies that were produced, only eight are known to be intact today.
Following some delays due to Hurricane Helene, this document will be available with no price cap, since the opening bid has already been placed. It was discovered in 2022 in Edenton, NC, while cleaning out a property once owned by Samuel Johnston, a key figure in North Carolina’s early governance who played a role in the state’s ratification of the Constitution.
This particular document was found inside a metal filing cabinet, hidden away in a dusty room filled with aged furniture. Notably, it not only features the Constitution but also includes a letter from George Washington, advocating for its ratification and emphasizing the need for compromise, even at the cost of some state rights.
Auction officials are keeping an open mind about the final price, especially considering that similar past sales vary dramatically. For instance, a state-ratified copy was sold for just $400 back in 1891, whereas in 2021, another version fetched an astonishing $43.2 million at Sotheby’s, purchased by Citadel CEO Kenneth Griffin.
Brunk Auctions emphasizes this Constitution copy as one of the most important documents ever to be sold, calling it “the cornerstone of our democracy.” Alongside it, the auction will feature several other historical treasures, such as a first draft of the 1776 Articles of Confederation and notable artwork like Emanuel Leutze’s painting of Washington Crossing the Delaware.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press