The 10th century Codex Sassoon is an ancient manuscript of the Hebrew Bible that is expected to sell for upwards of $50 million at auction. This rare artifact, which was originally discovered in the late 19th century, contains the entirety of the Hebrew Scriptures from both the Old and New Testaments. While it is not known exactly when or where the Codex was written, scholars have estimated its origins to lie somewhere between 975 and 1050 AD.
Sora Shimazaki/Pexels | The Hebrew Bible is an asset
The Codex
The Codex is written on a parchment made from goat skin and measures approximately five feet wide by four feet tall. It is an impressive sight to behold, with beautiful calligraphic lettering and intricate illustrations throughout. The text has been carefully preserved over time, making it one of the oldest surviving manuscripts of its kind in existence today.
The Codex's value lies both in its great age as well as its exceptional quality. This unique specimen of early medieval art is believed to be among the most complete copies of the Bible ever produced during this era. As part of its historical significance, experts also believe that it may contain clues about religious life at the time when it was created.
In addition to being historically significant, there are also other factors that make this particular copy valuable. For instance, it contains some rare variants on certain passages not seen in later versions of the Bible - adding a further sense of authenticity and importance to this remarkable document.
Mona Termos/Pexels | The text is one-of-a-kind and so has been preserved
How Much Is the Codex Worth?
This singular piece of history will soon be available for purchase at an upcoming Sotheby’s auction, but prospective buyers should expect to pay dearly for such a rare item. Early estimates place its value at approximately $50 million dollars -- a figure which could increase significantly depending on any number of factors once bidding begins.
Pixabay/Pexels | Let the biddings begin!
Though expensive by any measure, some argue that such a piece would be an essential addition to any major collection -- both private and public alike - as it represents one of the very few extant examples from this important period in religious history. Thus, while $50 million may seem too high a price tag for some, others would argue that such a unique artifact is worth every penny – given its tremendous cultural value and potential wealth of information still waiting to be uncovered within these ancient pages.
