Harvard discovers rare Magna Carta original in $27.50 purchase

Harvard University has confirmed that a stained and worn document purchased for $27.50 is an authentic original copy of the Magna Carta, the foundational charter that established the principle of rule of law in medieval England. The university's scholars made the identification after a detailed examination of the manuscript, which had been part of the institution's collection without its true significance being recognized.

The Magna Carta, sealed by King John in 1215, fundamentally limited royal power and established that all individuals, including monarchs, were subject to the law. Only a handful of original copies from the 13th century are known to survive worldwide, making this discovery of considerable historical and monetary value. The document had been sitting in Harvard's archives, its true nature obscured by staining and deterioration that accumulated over centuries.

The acquisition price of $27.50, equivalent to several hundred dollars in contemporary terms, highlights how institutions sometimes acquire materials without fully understanding their provenance or historical importance. Experts note that such discoveries serve as reminders of the need for comprehensive cataloguing and conservation of archival materials in major libraries and universities.

The document will now receive appropriate preservation and scholarly attention befitting its status as a rare witness to one of history's most consequential moments in the development of democratic principles. The identification adds to the body of surviving Magna Carta copies and provides researchers with additional material for studying the charter's original form and distribution.