Top 10 Most Expensive Books in the World
In the world of rare books, some volumes carry stories far beyond their written words. People view them as important parts of history, culture, and the development of ideas. These books are treasured not only for their contents but also for their rarity, craftsmanship, and the historical legends that surround them. Books such as scientific texts, religious works, and great literary classics have broken price records.
You will learn here why these books matter and what makes them different for people who collect them.
The 10 Most Expensive Books
Here are the top ten most expensive books sold and details on why they are significant.
- 1. Codex Leicester – $30.8 Million
- 2. Book of Mormon Printer’s Manuscript – $35 Million
- 3. Codex Sassoon – $38.1 Million
- 4. Sherborne Missal – $21.21 Million
- 5. Gospels of Henry the Lion – $11.7 Million
- 6. The Magna Carta (1297 Version) – $21.3 Million
- 7. Northumberland Bestiary – $20 Million
- 8. St. Cuthbert Gospel – $14.3 Million
- 9. Bay Psalm Book – $14.16 Million
- 10. The Rothschild Prayerbook – $13.4 Million
1. Codex Leicester – $30.8 Million
In the early 16th century, Leonardo da Vinci wrote the Codex Leicester, which includes 72 pages. His scientific writings and theories are kept in the form of a mirror script. There are many subjects, such as astronomy, geology, the movement of water, and fossils. The notebook has more than 300 detailed drawings and sketches, showing what da Vinci thought about.
Bill Gates purchased it for $30.8 million in 1994, and its estimated value has since risen significantly, now exceeding $60 million when adjusted for inflation. Afterward, Gates shared the manuscript in exhibitions all around the world so that many people could learn from da Vinci’s brilliance.
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2. Book of Mormon Printer’s Manuscript – $35 Million
This is the original document written by hand, which became the Book of Mormon. Developed in the early 1830s, Joseph Smith shared the words, and his scribes wrote them down. The first printed edition came from the manuscript in 1830. It is important for learning the basic ideas of the Latter-day Saint movement. The LDS Church bought it in 2017 for a price of $35 million. The church thought that obtaining the relics was a major achievement for both its culture and faith.
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3. Codex Sassoon – $38.1 Million
In 2023, Sotheby’s sold the Codex Sassoon, which is one of the earliest and fullest copies of the Hebrew Bible. The late 9th or early 10th century saw its creation, which encompasses almost all the 24 books of the Hebrew Bible. It further includes Masoretic notes that helped people pronounce the sacred scripture correctly and keep it unchanged. Many Jewish families have owned the book, and it was hidden away for a very long time. Being found and sold again highlights how culturally and religiously important it is.
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4. Sherborne Missal – $21.21 Million
The Sherborne Missal, which dates to the early 15th century and was commissioned by Abbot Robert Brunyng, contains many impressive illustrations. The manuscript contains 347 vellum leaves and weighs around 20 kilograms. It was written by John Whas and drawn by John Siferwas. There are rich Gothic illustrations, images of British birds, and episodes from the life of Christ in the missal. Bought by the British Library in 1998, it is still considered one of the most famous medieval manuscripts.
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5. Gospels of Henry the Lion – $11.7 Million
In the 12th century, Brunswick Cathedral received this illuminated gospel book, which was commissioned by Duke Henry the Lion. The manuscript has 266 pages and 50 full-page miniatures. Made at Helmarshausen Abbey, it is an example of Romanesque art.
Back in 1983, the manuscript was purchased for $11.7 million, the biggest amount ever paid for a book. Its importance comes from the fact that it is rare, has a history, and has been preserved very well.
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6. The Magna Carta (1297 Version) – $21.3 Million
David Rubenstein bought the original 1297 Magna Carta for $21.3 million in 2007. The Magna Carta was first signed in 1215. It built the basis for legal rights and constitutional law. The Brudenell family owned this copy for more than 500 years. It is currently housed in the National Archives in Washington, D.C. Because the document is still influential in modern law, it is highly valued.
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7. Northumberland Bestiary – $20 Million
In the 13th century, the Northumberland Bestiary was made as a small book containing drawings of both real and imaginary animals. It was used to guide children in learning good morals in religious communities. The mixture of bright illustrations and Gothic writing makes it look like a genuine work of art.
The Getty Museum bought it in 2007, and it is thought to be worth more than $20 million. People value the book for its art, religious meanings, and knowledge about medieval beliefs.
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8. St. Cuthbert Gospel – $14.3 Million
The St. Cuthbert Gospel, which dates to the early 8th century, is the oldest book that has survived in Europe. The saint’s body was covered with the relic, and it was found in great condition. Because of its leather binding, straightforward design, and historical background, it is an important piece of history. It was purchased by the British Library in 2012 for $14.3 million. The book is an important part of both early English Christianity and the history of monasticism.
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9. Bay Psalm Book – $14.16 Million
Published in 1640, the Bay Psalm Book is the first book that was printed in British North America. Only a limited number of copies are available now: 11. It shows the deep faith of Puritan settlers and the early days of American printing. In 2013, a single copy was bought for $14.16 million. It is the book’s background in culture and history, not the pictures that makes it important.
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10. The Rothschild Prayerbook – $13.4 Million
Made in the early 16th century, this manuscript contains work from leading Flemish artists. It is defined by small painted pictures, beautiful frame edges, and verses from the Bible.
During WWII, the Austrian Rothschild family collection included the painting, and it was stolen. It was again up for auction in 2014 and sold for $13.4 million. Because it is beautiful, has a history, and is crafted with skill, it is a valuable item for collectors.
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Final Thoughts
The most valuable books are not only made up of aged pages. They act as symbols of culture and how far people have advanced. All of them are written for the purpose of telling stories about faith, science, or art. They show the ideas that were important to the period and created by those who lived in it. Even now, they increase in importance as both collectibles and as keepsakes of human history. Thanks to technological progress, books continue to prove how much we honor knowledge, history, and art.
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