{"id":2108,"date":"2023-02-22T19:29:00","date_gmt":"2023-02-22T19:29:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/moneymade.wpenginepowered.com\/?p=2108"},"modified":"2025-06-03T16:35:39","modified_gmt":"2025-06-03T16:35:39","slug":"antique-bible","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/moneymade.io\/learn\/articles\/antique-bible\/","title":{"rendered":"Hallelujah: Most Expensive Antique Bible Investments"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Discover the world of antique Bibles.<\/em><\/strong> From their ornate beauty to history, learn why these collectibles can fetch such high prices.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Antique Bibles are an unlikely-yet-sought-after collectible. Of the over 750 million printed books were sold in 2020, 20 million of those were Bibles. Religious books are a huge market, raking in over $700 million in 2021, according to Statista.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vintage scripture with strong provenance\u2014like Elvis Presley\u2019s 1977 Bible, which fetched $94,000 in a 2012 auction\u2014can be worth a fortune.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Antique Bibles are popular investments because they\u2019re rare and possess sentimental and historical value. They\u2019re great collectibles to invest in because they\u2019re the intersection of rare antiques and sought-after literature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Codex Sassoon cost \u00a3350 in 1929 and is worth up to $50 million today\u2014a 14,000% rise in value.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s look at some of the most expensive antique Bibles and why they reach such heavenly prices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why are rare Bibles so valuable?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Antique Bibles have gained immense value due to their rarity and history. Over 6 billion copies of the Bible have been printed since 1815, with fewer than 100 antique editions remaining.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Collectors usually pursue bibles with particular provenance, like family Bibles of celebrities and historical figures or bibles containing particular family trees, maps, or rare notes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most valuable antique Bibles are one-of-a-kind or first edition holy books made between the invention of the printing press in 15th century to the early 19th century. These old Bibles usually stand out for their ornate beauty, prestigious craftsmanship, and fine materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, illustrations by renowned artists like Marc Chagall and Gustave Dor\u00e9 adorned rare editions with inventive forms of embroidery and photography. The year of printing may also be of particular interest\u2014as is the case with a 1776 printing of the Saur Bible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The value of these collectibles varies greatly depending on their edition and condition. For instance, two copies of the Holy Bible, Book of Common Prayer, Psalms of David, and the Week\u2019s preparation for the Lord\u2019s Supper autographed by Nicholas Robinson fetched $9,911.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most expensive antique Bibles ever sold<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Codex Sassoon, Gutenberg Bible, Bay Psalm Book, St. Cuthbert Gospel, Gospel of Henry Lion, Wycliffite New Testament Manuscript, and 1616 King James Bible are some of the most valuable ancient Bibles in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These rare artifacts provide insight into theological history and are highly sought-after investments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Codex Sassoon<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n