Isabella Carter
The value of a copy of the US Constitution varies depending on the type of copy. Original copies of the US Constitution are extremely rare and valuable, with one of the 13 known copies selling for $43.2 million at a Sotheby's auction in 2021. Another copy of the US Constitution from 1787 was discovered in North Carolina and is expected to be worth millions at auction. On the other hand, pocket-sized copies of the US Constitution are available for free or at a low cost, with some websites offering free PDFs of the document.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of first printings of the U.S. Constitution remaining in private hands | 2 |
| Number of first printings of the U.S. Constitution in existence | 13 |
| Number of first printings of the U.S. Constitution in public ownership | 11 |
| Minimum bid for a copy at auction | $1 million |
| Price paid for a copy at auction in 1891 | $400 |
| Price paid for a copy at auction in 2021 | $43.2 million |
| Estimated price for a copy at auction in 2022 | $20-30 million |
| Number of copies of the 1787 printing of the U.S. Constitution's final text | 500 |
| Number of copies of the 1787 printing of the U.S. Constitution's final text remaining | A handful |
| Number of copies of the 1787 printing of the U.S. Constitution's draft | 820 |
| Maximum number of free pocket constitutions per household | 1 |
Explore related products
$9.99 $9.99
What You'll Learn
Original copies are extremely rare
Original copies of the U.S. Constitution are extremely rare. There were 500 copies of the 1787 printing of the constitution's final text, produced by John Dunlap and David Claypoole, the Constitutional Convention's official printers. However, only 13 original copies are known to exist today, and only two remain in private hands. The rest are held in state archives, historical societies, and other official institutions or their original recipients' designated repositories. For example, one of Benjamin Franklin's copies is held at the American Philosophical Society in Philadelphia, which he founded.
The rarity of these documents means that they are highly sought after and can fetch extremely high prices at auction. In 2021, a copy of the Constitution sold for a record-breaking $43.2 million at Sotheby's, purchased by billionaire Ken Griffin. This was not just a record for a historic document but for any book, manuscript, or printed text sold at auction, according to Sotheby's. Griffin outbid ConstitutionDAO, a decentralized autonomous online group that had raised over $40 million from 17,000 cryptocurrency enthusiasts to purchase the document.
The previous record for a historic document was set by the same copy of the Constitution, which sold for $400 in 1891. This highlights the increasing value and rarity of these documents over time. The copy sold in 1891 was later put up for auction again in 2024, with a minimum bid of $1 million, reflecting the perceived value and rarity of original copies.
The auction of one of the two remaining private copies in 2021 generated significant media attention, with more than 12,000 stories published worldwide. This sale also created a unique cultural phenomenon, as it was the first time a DAO (decentralized autonomous organization) had participated in a major auction. The involvement of ConstitutionDAO added a layer of intrigue and interest to the auction, attracting viewers and bidders from the crypto and tech communities.
The extreme rarity of original copies of the U.S. Constitution, combined with their historical significance, drives their value and makes them highly coveted by collectors, institutions, and individuals alike. The limited number of surviving copies ensures that they remain exclusive and highly valuable, with prices expected to continue rising for any that come up for auction in the future.
The Constitution: America's Promise Fulfilled
You may want to see also
One sold for \$43.2 million
In 2021, a copy of the U.S. Constitution sold for a record-breaking \$43.2 million at Sotheby's in New York. This was a record price for a document or book sold at auction. The document was a rare first printing of the Constitution, one of only 13 known copies, and one of only two in private hands.
The copy was sold by New York philanthropist Dorothy Tapper Goldman, and was the only version that remained in private hands. The proceeds from the sale benefited the Dorothy Tapper Goldman Foundation, established in 2018 to promote educational causes related to Constitutional history. The foundation is dedicated to furthering the understanding of democracy and how citizens can make a difference.
The winning bid was placed by Ken Griffin, founder and CEO of Citadel Advisors, a prolific collector and donor to various art institutions. Griffin outbid a group of 17,000 cryptocurrency enthusiasts from ConstitutionDAO, who had crowdfunded to buy the document. The final price was more than double its low estimate of $15 million.
The document was printed by hand by Philadelphia printers John Dunlap and David Claypoole in 1787, likely on the night of September 16. It is six pages in length and includes the text of the Constitution, the roster of delegates who voted for it, and the resolution accepting it.
Exploring Supreme Court Duties: Constitutional Focus
You may want to see also
They are often sold at auction
Copies of the U.S. Constitution are often sold at auction, with some fetching tens of millions of dollars. In 2021, a copy of the Constitution sold at Sotheby's in New York for $43.2 million, a record for a book or document. This copy was one of only 13 remaining copies of the Constitution printed for the Continental Congress and delegates to the Constitutional Convention. The auction house Sotheby's has described copies of the first printing of the Constitution as "considerably rarer" than the equivalent of a Declaration of Independence copy.
In 2024, another copy of the Constitution, printed in 1787, was set to be auctioned by Brunk Auctions in Asheville, North Carolina, with a minimum bid of $1 million. This copy was one of about 100 printed by the secretary of Congress, Charles Thomson, and was found during a house clearance in eastern North Carolina. Only eight copies of the 1787 printing are known to still exist, and this copy was the only one thought to be in private hands.
The auction house Sotheby's has also sold copies of the Constitution, with one of only two first printings of the Constitution remaining in private hands sold in December 2022. This copy was expected to sell for between $20 million and $30 million, which would match the largest estimate ever placed on a historic document. The buyer, billionaire Ken Griffin, outbid a group of cryptocurrency enthusiasts called ConstitutionDAO, who crowdfunded to purchase the document.
The auction of these rare copies of the Constitution has generated significant interest and media attention, with the 2022 Sotheby's auction described as the auction house's most-watched auction of all time. The auctions have attracted a diverse range of bidders, including collectors of rare books and manuscripts, and those with an interest in American history and politics.
Marriage and the Constitution: A Complex Relationship
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Only 13 original copies exist
The United States Constitution was first printed by Dunlap & Claypoole in 1787, during the Constitutional Convention. From the original printing, only 13 original copies are known to exist. These copies were printed for the members of the Constitutional Convention who drafted it in 1787. The copies were distributed to the delegates to the convention for use at their discretion.
The majority of the 13 original copies are held in state archives, historical societies, and other official institutions or their original recipients' designated repositories. For example, one of Benjamin Franklin's copies is held at the American Philosophical Society in Philadelphia, which he founded. Copies originally belonging to James Madison and Edmund Pendleton are now part of their respective archives in the Library of Congress. Other copies are held in the Delaware Hall of Records, the New Jersey State Archives, the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, and the Public Records Office in London, England.
The rarity of the original copies has made them highly sought-after by collectors and enthusiasts. In recent years, several copies have been sold at auction for record-breaking prices. In 2021, a copy of the Constitution known as the "Goldman Constitution" was sold at Sotheby's for $43.2 million, setting a new record for any book, manuscript, or printed text sold at auction. The buyer, billionaire Ken Griffin, outbid ConstitutionDAO, a decentralized autonomous online group that had raised more than $40 million from 17,000 contributors in Ether cryptocurrency to purchase the document.
Another copy, known as the "Goldman Constitution II", is expected to be auctioned off in December 2022 and is estimated to sell for between $20 million and $30 million. This copy is one of only two known copies of the first printing of the Constitution left in private collections. The auction will be held by Sotheby's and is expected to attract worldwide attention, with potential bidders including collectors of rare books and manuscripts, as well as enthusiasts from the crypto and tech communities.
James Madison's Influence on the US Constitution
You may want to see also
Copies are held in state archives
The United States Constitution was first printed by Dunlap & Claypoole in 1787, during the Constitutional Convention. From the original printing, only 13 original copies are known to exist. The Constitutional Convention's printers, Dunlap & Claypoole, printed the drafts and final copies of the United States Constitution. John Dunlap and David C. Claypoole had printed for Congress since 1775, including the first copies of the Declaration of Independence and Articles of Confederation, and were designated Congress's official printer in 1778. During the 1787 Constitutional Convention, Dunlap & Claypoole printed 820 draft copies and 500 final copies.
The vast majority of the original copies are held in state archives, historical societies, and other official institutions or their original recipients' designated repositories. For example, one of Benjamin Franklin's copies is at the American Philosophical Society in Philadelphia, which he founded. Copies originally belonging to James Madison and Edmund Pendleton are now part of their respective archives in the Library of Congress. Other copies are held in the Delaware Hall of Records, the New Jersey State Archives, and the Public Records Office in London, England.
The copies held in state archives are extremely rare and valuable. In 2021, a copy of the Constitution was sold at Sotheby's of New York for $43.2 million, setting a record for a book or document. The copy sold at Sotheby's was one of only 13 remaining copies of the Constitution printed for the Continental Congress and delegates to the Constitutional Convention. The buyer of this copy was Ken Griffin, who outbid a group of cryptocurrency enthusiasts called ConstitutionDAO.
The first printing of the Constitution is considerably rarer than the equivalent of a Declaration of Independence copy, according to Sotheby's. Copies of the first draft exist in the separately collected papers of the Convention, James Madison, and David Brearley. Extant copies of the penultimate draft of the Constitution rest in the papers of Madison, Brearley, and George Washington (Library of Congress).
The Constitution: Uniting a Nation
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
An original copy of the US Constitution is extremely rare and expensive. One of the 13 known copies of the official printing produced for the delegates of the Constitutional Convention was sold for \$43.2 million in 2021.
A printed copy of the US Constitution is available for free in the form of a pocket-sized booklet, which can be ordered online. There is a limit of one copy per household.
A first printing copy of the US Constitution is even rarer and more expensive than the original copy. One such copy was sold at an auction for nearly \$4.5 million.
The cost of a copy of the US Constitution at auction can vary depending on its rarity and historical significance. Some copies have been sold for millions of dollars, while others may have a lower reserve price or be available for a lower cost.
A digital copy of the US Constitution, such as a PDF, is typically available for free from various online sources.
