Ancient Hebrew Bible Estimated to Fetch Up to $50 Million at Auction, Becoming Most Expensive Literary Item Ever Sold

An ancient Hebrew Bible estimated to be over 1,000 years old is set to be auctioned off in New York in May and is expected to fetch between $30 million and $50 million, making it the most expensive literary item ever sold.

Sharon Mintz, a senior Judaica specialist at Sotheby’s, told CNN that the “Codex Sassoon” is “the most important document to come to auction ever.” She described it as “astonishing” and “the most significant” item she’d ever held.

The Bible, which is also known as the “Crown of Aleppo,” is one of the oldest and most complete manuscripts of the Hebrew Bible. It was written in the 10th century and is considered to be one of the most important and singular texts in human history.

The Codex Sassoon is set to go on show later this month before the auction in May. If it fetches the estimated $30 million to $50 million, it will exceed the $43 million sale of a first edition U.S. Constitution in 2021 and become the most expensive literary item ever sold.

The Codex Sassoon is a unique piece of history that has been preserved for centuries. It is a testament to the importance of preserving and protecting ancient texts, and its sale is sure to be a significant moment in the world of literature.