ASHEVILLE, N.C. – A rare, nearly 237-year-old copy of the U.S. Constitution discovered inside a dusty filing cabinet has fetched a whopping $11 million at auction, setting a record for historical documents. The sale, which took place on Thursday at Brunk Auctions in Asheville, North Carolina, captured national attention after the forgotten artifact’s unexpected discovery.
The document was found in 2022 in a metal filing cabinet on Hayes Farm, an old plantation in Edenton, North Carolina, once owned by Samuel Johnston, a former governor and key figure in North Carolina’s ratification of the Constitution. As the historic property was being cleared for conversion into a public site, workers stumbled upon the rare find—unaware of its immense value. Andrew Brunk, owner of Brunk Auctions, called it “one of the most incredible discoveries of my career.”
The auction was fast-paced, with bids rapidly climbing in $500,000 increments over seven minutes. “It was remarkable to see how quickly the price rose,” Brunk said. Bids came from all over the country, most placed over the phone. Only one bidder was physically present at the auction, but the buyer who won the document has chosen to remain anonymous.
Initially scheduled for September 28, the auction was delayed due to Hurricane Helene. The rescheduled sale drew heightened interest, with many anticipating a high final bid. The hammer price settled at $9 million, but with the buyer’s premium added, the total sale reached $11,070,000. The figure makes this copy one of the most expensive American documents ever sold.
Historians are thrilled by the discovery, as only a handful of these original 1787 copies are known to exist today. This particular copy was printed shortly after the Constitutional Convention, where delegates framed the blueprint for the U.S. government. The documents were sent to states for ratification, serving as vital instruments in the nation’s founding.
“This is more than a historical artifact; it represents the birth of American democracy,” Brunk said. “To find it hidden in a filing cabinet, only to have it sell for $11 million, is truly astonishing.” The copy of the Constitution is believed to be one of the eight remaining, with the majority held by museums and public institutions.
Experts in historical documents, like appraiser Seth Kaller, emphasize the document’s significance. “It’s not every day you encounter such a pivotal piece of history,” Kaller told the Associated Press. “It’s rare enough to find a document from this period, let alone one of this magnitude.” Kaller, who has worked with historic documents for decades, added, “Most discoveries don’t end up having this kind of monumental importance.”
The Hayes Farm discovery reminds us of the potential for hidden treasures in seemingly ordinary places. Johnston, who owned the property in the late 18th century, played a significant role in the Constitution’s ratification process. How this copy was forgotten in a filing cabinet remains unclear, but its rediscovery has reignited interest in the plantation’s history.
Brunk Auctions has handled numerous high-profile sales over the years, but this Constitution copy is among the most significant. “We often get calls about supposed historical artifacts, but very few turn out to be authentic,” Brunk said. “This document is in a league of its own.”
As the document transitions to its new, anonymous owner, historians, and enthusiasts celebrate this incredible find’s preservation and impact. “This is a tangible piece of the very foundation of our nation,” Brunk concluded. “We’re honored to have played a role in its journey back into the public eye.”
