Harvard Discovers Rare 700-Year-Old Magna Carta Copy Worth Millions

Harvard Law School recently discovered that a document it acquired in 1946 for $27.50, long believed to be a reproduction, is actually a rare original 1300 version of the Magna Carta issued by King Edward I. This finding increases the known number of surviving copies from six to seven, marking a significant addition to one of the world's most important constitutional documents that established the principle that even the king is subject to the law. The discovery was made by medieval historians David Carpenter and Nicholas Vincent, who confirmed the document's authenticity through detailed comparisons of handwriting, dimensions, and spectral imaging technology. The Magna Carta, originally issued in 1215 and reissued in 1300, is widely recognized as a foundation of modern democracy and a precursor to constitutional law and human rights conventions globally, including influencing the U.S. Constitution. Harvard plans to study the document further but has no intention to sell it, highlighting its educational value amid ongoing discussions about law, governance, and institutional autonomy. This revelation underscores the document's enduring significance as a cornerstone of freedoms and legal principles that continue to resonate today.