Sometimes, the most incredible treasures are hiding in plain sight — or in this case, tucked away in a university library after being bought for just £20.
Harvard University recently discovered that what they thought was a mere copy of the Magna Carta is actually an authentic original worth an eye-watering £16 million.
This shocking revelation comes more than 700 years after the Magna Carta was first created, proving that history still holds some amazing surprises.
The Magna Carta’s Enduring Legacy and History
The Magna Carta, drafted way back in 1215, was initially written by the Archbishop of Canterbury on behalf of King John.
It was a peace treaty of sorts designed to appease rebellious barons but went on to become one of the most important documents in constitutional history worldwide.
Although the original version was later annulled, it was reissued in 1300 by King Edward I, promising protections like church rights, fair taxes, and impartial justice.
Fast forward centuries, and the Magna Carta has become a cornerstone of legal principles, with some of its clauses still being referenced in modern law today.
Harvard’s £20 Auction Find Turns Out to Be an Original
In 1946, Harvard University purchased what they believed was just a worn and damp-stained replica of the Magna Carta at an auction for only $27.50 (about £20).
The auction catalogue described it as a “copy made in 1327,” so no one expected it to be anything extraordinary.
However, recent research by experts from King’s College London and the University of East Anglia has blown this assumption wide open.
Through detailed analysis of handwriting, letter sizing, and even the document’s dimensions, they’ve confirmed it matches the known originals perfectly.
Experts Confirm Authenticity with High-Tech Imaging
Medieval history professor David Carpenter from King’s College called the discovery “fantastic,” celebrating Harvard’s Magna Carta not as a mere copy but as an original.
His colleague Nicholas Vincent from the University of East Anglia agreed, highlighting the Magna Carta’s iconic status as a symbol of constitutional law and political tradition.
Using ultraviolet light and spectral imaging, Harvard Law School librarians compared the document to other originals and confirmed every detail—from the distinctive large capital “E” in “Edwardus” to the elongated letters at the start—matched perfectly.
The document’s size was also identical to the six other originals known to exist.
Could This Be the Lost Magna Carta of Appleby?
Carpenter and Vincent speculate that this document might be the missing Magna Carta once issued to the parliamentary borough of Appleby in Westmorland, adding an exciting new chapter to its history.
The document came up for auction in 1945 after being inherited by Air Vice-Marshal Forster “Sammy” Maynard, who had received the archives from Thomas and John Clarkson—famous abolitionists and friends of poet William Wordsworth.
This connection adds an intriguing backstory to the journey of this extraordinary manuscript.
Why the Magna Carta Still Matters Today
The Magna Carta isn’t just an ancient relic; it laid the groundwork for human rights and constitutional governance around the world.
It challenged oppressive rulers and introduced ideas of due process and fairness that still echo in legal systems today.
With this astonishing find, Harvard now holds a piece of history that reminds us how documents centuries old continue to shape freedoms and justice in the modern world.