The Most Expensive Bible: Why Codex Sassoon 1053 Set a $38.1M Record

What is the most expensive bible ever sold? The answer is clear. Codex Sassoon 1053 sold for $38.1 million in 2023, setting the record for any Hebrew Bible and any biblical manuscript. Rare Bibles can reach these prices due to age, rarity, condition, and cultural impact. When a copy shapes how people read and study scripture, collectors and institutions compete.

In this guide, I explain the key price drivers, highlight the major sales, and offer practical tips for care and buying. I also include concise FAQs to help with common questions. My tone is calm and direct. I keep the language plain, and the claims grounded.

The Most Expensive Bible on Record: Codex Sassoon 1053 ($38.1 Million)

Codex Sassoon 1053 is a near-complete Hebrew Bible with Masoretic notes, written by hand on parchment in the late 9th or early 10th century. It preserves the text and the traditional system that guides reading and transmission. The result is a unified witness to the Hebrew Bible as read in the medieval period.

The record sale took place at Sotheby's New York in May 2023. The price, including buyer's premium, was $38.1 million. The buyer was Alfred H. Moses, who acquired it for the ANU Museum of the Jewish People in Tel Aviv. That made it the most expensive bible ever sold.

It set the record due to its completeness, its age, and its central role in the history of the Masoretic text. The codex also carries strong provenance, with known ownership across centuries. Today, the codex belongs to ANU in Tel Aviv. Check the museum's site for display status and research access.

What Codex Sassoon Is and Why Scholars Care

A codex is a book made of bound pages, not a scroll. This codex was copied by hand on parchment, likely from several exemplar texts. The Masoretic notes, placed in the margins and between lines, record reading traditions, accents, and spelling guidance. These notes help fix the text and reduce copying errors.

A near-complete Hebrew Bible matters because it anchors the text. It gives scholars a coherent snapshot of the tradition at a specific time. Researchers compare it to other codices to track how the text was transmitted. Students of Jewish and Christian history use it to study liturgy, translation, and commentary.

The 2023 Auction Result and Who Bought It

• Auction house: Sotheby's New York
• Date: May 2023
• Price with premium: $38.1 million
• Buyer: Alfred H. Moses for the ANU Museum of the Jewish People, Tel Aviv

Features That Drove the Record Price

• Age: The codex dates to the late 9th or early 10th century. Earlier manuscripts command attention and money.
• Completeness: It is near complete, which is rare for Hebrew Bible manuscripts that old.
• Condition: The script is legible, with stable parchment and careful layout.
• Masoretic notes: The notes fix pronunciation and form, which supports text study.
• Provenance: Known owners and historical references build trust and value. A clear chain reduces risk and appeals to institutions.

Each factor helped. Together, they created a strong case for the record result.

Where It Lives Today and Access

ANU acquired the codex for public display and long-term research access in Tel Aviv. For the current exhibition schedule or scholarly inquiry, check the museum's official site. Galleries rotate displays for preservation reasons, so availability can change.

Other Record-Setting Bibles and Scripture Sales

High prices are not limited to Codex Sassoon. Key sales involve early printing, famous translations, rare misprints, and exceptional survival. Some high-profile results also involve scripture that is not a Bible. A few modern editions, made with fine art materials, bring strong prices as well.

Gutenberg Bible Prices and Market Interest

The Gutenberg Bible is the first substantial book printed with movable type in Europe, circa 1455. In 1987, a complete copy sold for about $5.4 million. Today, full copies almost never come up.

If one did, it would bring many millions, and the price would depend on condition and completeness. Single leaves from broken copies sell in the tens of thousands, and sometimes higher if the leaf includes a notable opening.

Early English Bibles and Rare Misprints

The 1611 King James Bible is a landmark in the English language. Sound copies can sell from the low to mid six figures, with prices shaped by completeness, issue, and binding. Famous misprints add charm and demand. The 1631 "Wicked Bible," which omits the word "not" in the seventh commandment, can sell for tens of thousands when complete, with the range set by scarcity, page quality, and any restoration.

High-Profile Scripture Sales That Are Not Bibles

Two cases show strong demand for historic scripture beyond Bibles:

• The Bay Psalm Book, the first book printed in British North America, sold for $14.2 million in 2013.
• The St. Cuthbert Gospel, a small Latin Gospel book from the 7th century, was acquired by the British Library in 2012 for £9 million.

Both represent cultural and historical milestones. They are not Bibles, yet they signal the market's appetite for rare scripture with deep roots.

Modern Luxury and Limited Art Bibles

Some modern editions sell in the six figures due to craftsmanship, not age. The Saint John's Bible Heritage Edition, for example, is a fine art reproduction of a contemporary handwritten Bible.

Sets are produced in small runs with high-quality materials. The price reflects the artistry, the binding, and the limited supply.

Here is a quick view of several headline results:

What Makes a Bible Expensive: Key Factors I Look For

Collectors and institutions pay for a mix of rarity, relevance, and risk reduction. The list below covers the main drivers, with simple definitions and a few examples.

• Age: Earlier copies tend to command higher prices. Manuscripts from the first millennium or incunabula era (pre-1501) have strong demand.
• Rarity: Few surviving copies, limited print runs, or unique features push value higher.
• Completeness: Missing leaves, titles, or maps reduce price. Near-complete copies rise.
• Condition: Clean pages, wide margins, and minimal repair suggest stable survival.
• Binding: Original or period bindings add appeal. Fine modern bindings also help.
• Illumination: Hand-painted decoration or gold adds beauty and rarity.
• Provenance: Documented ownership and a traceable chain build trust.
• Cultural weight: Landmark editions, translations, or texts with public impact draw more bidders.

Quick examples:

• A vellum copy of an early printed Bible can rank far higher than a paper copy.
• Rubrication in red ink, well preserved, adds craftsmanship and value.
• A book owned by a known figure or a major library can attract museums.

Age, Rarity, and Completeness

Earlier often means rarer, which brings more demand. A near-complete text preserves the work as intended. Missing leaves interrupt narrative and reduce study value. Buyers pay for integrity, page count, and critical content.

Provenance and Cultural Importance

A clear ownership record lowers risk. Labels from known libraries, sale catalog entries, and ex-libris marks help. Exhibition history and citations in scholarly works increase visibility and trust. Copies tied to major figures or events can outpace standard examples.

Condition, Binding, and Illumination

Condition drives confidence. Strong margins, clean ink, and stable parchment or paper suggest good care. Period bindings, especially with tooling or blind-stamp work, lift price. Illumination or gilding adds art value. Heavy trimming, over-restoration, or brittle paper can hurt price.

Language, Edition, and Printing Context

First editions and early printings carry weight. A Gutenberg Bible on vellum would far exceed a paper copy. Early issues of the 1611 King James can lead the category. Context matters, such as the first printing in a region or the first use of a translation.

How I Value, Buy, and Care for a Rare Bible

I follow a simple playbook. I verify the text, document the book, and protect it. I also use trusted sellers and seek written opinions from specialists.

Research and Authentication Steps I Trust

• Confirm the edition and issue against standard references.
• Collate the copy, page by page, to check completeness.
• Review provenance and match any marks or stamps.
• Ask a specialist for a written appraisal with condition notes.
• Compare past sales of the same edition, not just similar titles.

Where to Find Rare Bibles for Sale

I watch major auctions like Sotheby's and Christie's. I also work with respected dealers who are members of trade associations. I study past catalogs to gauge price history and condition types. I ask for full condition reports, detailed photos, and any conservation notes.

Good places to start:

• Sotheby's, Christie's, Bonhams
• Reputable rare book dealers with category expertise
• Reference databases of past auction results

Insurance, Storage, and Care Basics

I treat rare books like works on paper. Storage is cool, dry, dark, and stable. I aim for about 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit, with relative humidity around 45 to 55 percent. I keep books in acid-free boxes or slipcases. I use mylar sleeves for loose leaves. I handle with clean hands, and I avoid PVC materials.

For insurance, I schedule a rider policy for high-value items. I keep appraisals current and store records off-site or in the cloud.

Ethics and Export Rules

I check cultural property laws before I buy. Some items need export licenses. Materials like ivory on clasps can create legal issues, including bans and permits. I ask for written proof of legal title and export clearance. I avoid items with gaps in provenance during sensitive periods.

Conclusion

The Codex Sassoon 1053 is the most expensive bible on record, at $38.1 million. Prices rise when age, rarity, completeness, condition, provenance, and cultural weight align. If you plan to collect, start with the sections on buying and care, then review the examples to set expectations.

For quick answers, the FAQs cover common questions in plain language. I keep the focus on facts, strong sources, and careful stewardship.

FAQs About the Most Expensive Bible and Rare Bible Prices

Q1.What is the most expensive Bible ever sold?

Codex Sassoon 1053 at $38.1 million in 2023.

Q2.How much is a Gutenberg Bible worth today?

A full copy would bring many millions if it came up for sale. Single leaves from broken copies often sell in the tens of thousands, with some higher.

Q3.Are old family Bibles valuable?

Most family Bibles have modest market value. They carry deep personal value. Market prices rise if a copy is very early, signed, has fine binding, or includes special features.

Q4.How do I sell or donate a rare Bible?

Get a written appraisal. Contact major auction houses or trusted rare book dealers. If you plan to donate, ask a library or museum about their policies and any tax steps.