The Bible is one of the oldest known books in existence and has undeniably shaped culture, morals, and values in the Western World. Though often thought of as a single, consolidated tome, the Bible has undergone countless translations, abridgments, and reimaginings since ancient times. As such, there is a small but precious number of copies out there from different eras that illustrate this long, non-linear providence. Some of these Bibles, however, are the most expensive you can buy.
Many of the most expensive Bibles retain value due to the small printing circulation. Furthermore, many of the manuscripts on this list are so expensive because they are the only known copy on earth. Some historic Bibles retain value due to anachronistic language or grammatical mistakes like the Codex Sassoon. Others are valuable because of the ornate illustrations that decorate the pages. Whatever the case, there are some manuscripts out there with prices so high they boggle the mind. In this article, we will explore 10 of the most expensive Bibles you can buy.
To compile a list of the 10 most expensive Bibles you can buy, 24/7 Tempo consulted a range of auction, investment, and historical sources including MoneyMade, The Wall Street Journal, and Antique Bible. Next, we selected Bibles with high recorded prices, often sold at auctions. From there, we confirmed aspects of different Bible’s providences and values using sites like Biblio and Sothebys. (For the most expensive items of the mammalian variety, discover 10 of the most expensive dog breeds.)
The Gutenberg Bible
One of the most expensive Bibles you can buy is The Gutenberg Bible. Inventor and printmaker Johannes Gutenberg created it in the 1450s. Furthermore, the Gutenberg Bible was one of the first books printed using the metal moveable type printing press. Though sources differ on the exact number printed back then, 49 copies of this Latin Vulgate bible still exist, making it one of the rarest books in the world.
In 1978, a complete copy of the Gutenberg Bible sold for $2.2 million. Then, only nine years later, a single volume from the complete Gutenberg Bible sold for over twice that at $5.4 million. Its current estimated value sits somewhere around $35 million, making it a boon for bibliophiles and collectors considering there are enough copies (relatively) to go around.
Bay Psalm Book
Another one of the most expensive Bibles you can buy is the Bay Psalm Book. First printed in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1640, the Bay Psalm functioned as an updated edition to older bibles. Early residents of the Massachusetts Bay Colony were dissatisfied with the Hebrew translations in some of the Bibles they brought to the New World. In response, the colonists hired thirty ministers to undertake a new translation, particularly of the Psalms. Thus, the Bay Psalm Book was born.
While this translation effort no longer appears in common Bibles, the Bay Psalm book’s artful craftsmanship acts as its selling point, since the volume features 50 pages of illustrations. The style resembles another antique bible, the Romanesque Gospel of Henry the Lion. While 11 copies remain in circulation, one of them will cost you a pretty penny. Businessman and philanthropist David Rubenstein snagged a copy for $14 million in 2013. The highest sale price for a Bay Psalm Book, however, sits at $16.5 million.
The Gospel of the Henry Lion
As mentioned in the previous entry, another one of the most expensive Bibles you can buy is The Gospel of the Henry Lion. First created in the 12th century as a consecration of the Virgin Mary for the Brunswick Cathedral, the book features beautiful, ornate illustrations throughout. Since 1983, however, the principal copy sits in Herzog August Bibliothek in Wolfenbüt as the German government currently owns it.
The Bible is so rare, that even experts aren’t sure how many copies of The Gospel of the Henry Lion exist, though the German government exhibits its copy biannually. Either way, The Gospel of the Henry Lion was valued at $11.4 million in 1983, making it worth around $34.2 million in today’s inflation-adjusted market.
The St. Cuthbert Gospel
While many of the most expensive Bibles you can buy are large, unwieldy tomes, The St. Cuthbert Gospel is quite small. Created in the 8th century as a Gospel-oriented chapbook, the St. Cuthbert Gospel remains one of the oldest manuscripts of its kind to survive into the modern world. What’s more, its quality leather binding is one of the oldest leather bookbindings to survive.
For a long time, researchers assumed the manuscript to be the personal Gospel copy of St. Cuthbert. Recent investigations, however, date the Bible to shortly after Cuthbert’s death. Either way, it’s one of the rarest Gospel-only Bibles in existence. Much like The Gospel of Henry Lion, an unknown number of copies exist. The British Library, however, bought one confirmed copy of The St. Cuthbert Gospel in 2012 for $14.3 million.
Codex Sassoon
One of the most expensive Bibles you can buy, if not the most expensive ever, is the Codex Sassoon. Comprised of all 24 books of the Hebrew Bible, researchers date the Codex Sassoon to the 10th century. Though its provenance is unique, having passed through many hands over the centuries, what makes this bible unique is just how sloppy it is. The initial scribe of the manuscript made countless grammatical mistakes, often forgetting punctuation and even vowels.
Though the life of the Codex Sassoon remained obscure for most of the Middle Ages into the Enlightenment, it resurfaced after bibliophile David Solomon Sassoon bought a copy in Turkey. With only one known copy in existence, the Codex Sassoon sold for a cool $38.1 million in 2023. This makes it the fourth most expensive book ever sold, and estimates will only grow for this rare Biblical manuscript.
(For books of a more controversial variety, discover books by American Authors the Nazis burned.)
The Wycliffite New Testament Manuscript
What makes The Wycliffite New Testament Manuscript so valuable is how complete it is. Transcribed in Middle English in the 15th century, this Bible features a white pigskin binding as well as contemporary corrections made in the margins. It takes its name from theologian John Wycliffe who is believed to have directed its creation.
Though researchers estimated its value to be between $500,000 and $800,000 in 2016, its value only increased in the following years. After the book collection of theologian Charles Caldwell Ryrie fetched over $7.3 million at a Sotheby’s auction later that year, the Wycliffite New Testament Manuscript within the collection shot up to an estimated $1.7 million. Only one known copy of this Bible exists, however.
The 1530 Tyndale Pentateuch
Another one of the most expensive Bibles you can buy is the 1530 Tyndale Pentateuch. Though William Tyndale takes credit for its initial printing, preacher and translator Myles Coverdale produced a complete version of the same manuscript in 1535. Unlike other Bibles on this list, the 1530 Tyndale Pentatuech’s providence remains guarded.
That’s because, unlike other valuable Biblical manuscripts, the Tyndale Pentateuch is the only historic bible that still sits in private hands. Furthermore, this book has avoided auctions for over 100 years. Due to it being the most complete and earliest English bible ever printed, researchers and bibliophiles still clammer for it. Estimates put its value between $300,000 and $500,000.
1616 King James Bible
Another one of the most expensive Bibles you can buy is the 1616 King James Bible. It’s also, arguably, the most beautiful. A folio edition of the authorized manuscript first printed by Robert Barker, the 1616 King James Bible features black and blue Morocco leather, and gold and silver strips. Furthermore, the contents of the manuscript feature a full map of the Holy Land, a full-page woodcut illustration of Adam and Eve, and ornate geometric designs on every page.
Though there is only one known copy in existence, its price is relatively accessible compared to other expensive historic Bibles. Just recently, Crawford Sterling Rare Books put up the singular copy for sale for $295,000. If you’re in the market for a historic Bible, the 1616 King James Bible is still available to buy online.
1611 King James Bible
Another one of the most expensive Bibles you can buy is the 1611 King James Bible. Much like the previous entry on this list, the 1611 King James Bible features the now-classic English translation of the gospels. While little information exists on the features of this manuscript, it still sold for a pretty penny.
Only five years ago, the 1611 version of the King James Bible was estimated to be worth about $50,000. Thanks to increased speculation and decreased supply, however, the 1611 King James Bible now fetches a price somewhere between $250,000 and $400,000.
Saint Jerome Vulgate Bible
Another one of the most expensive Bibles you can buy is the Saint Jerome Vulgate Bible. One of the earlier Biblical manuscripts to survive into the modern day, the Saint Jerome Vulgate Bible from the 13th century features Latin script and unique prologues attributed to the early Christian icon, Saint Jerome.
Though more copies of this manuscript exist than other entries on this list, the Saint Jerome Vulgate Bible still fetches a considerable sum at auctions. In June 2005, Sotheby’s Auction House reportedly sold a copy of this manuscript for over $1.8 million.
(For more Biblical information, test your knowledge with 15 Bible trivia questions.)