Harvard's Hidden Treasure: A Rare 1300 Magna Carta Discovered

Harvard Law School's overlooked document has been identified as a valuable original Magna Carta from 1300, previously mistaken for a later copy.

l 33%

c 56%

r 11%

Harvard bought a copy of the Magna Carta for $27.50. It's actually rare and likely worth millions.

CBS News

Harvard thought its faded Magna Carta was a cheap copy. It's actually more than 700 years old

PBS NewsHour

Harvard learned it has an authentic Magna Carta. In 1946, it paid less than $28 for it

NPR

Harvard bought a Magna Carta copy for $27. It turned out to be an original from 1300.

USA TODAY

"Copy" Of Magna Carta Bought For $27.50 Turns Out To Be A 1300 CE Original

IFL Science

Harvard Law School bought a copy of Magna Carta for $27. Turns out, it’s actually an original

CNN

Lost Magna Carta Original Identified in $27.50 Harvard Deal

Newsmax

Harvard thought it had a cheap copy of the Magna Carta. It turned out to be extremely rare

Associated Press

Harvard cut-price Magna Carta 'copy' now believed genuine

BBC News

Overview

A summary of the key points of this story verified across multiple sources.

Harvard University discovers its long-misidentified Magna Carta is actually a rare original from 1300, valued at millions. Historians David Carpenter and Nicholas Vincent confirmed its authenticity. The document's lineage traced back to a British auction house in 1945, highlighting its historical significance. As a fundamental icon of constitutional law, this document reinforces the principles of individual liberty and governance, especially relevant amid current political discourse regarding institutional autonomy.

Content generated by AI—learn more or report issue.

Get both sides in 5 minutes with our daily newsletter.

Analysis

Compare how each side frames the story — including which facts they emphasize or leave out.

A Harvard manuscript once thought to be a mere copy of the Magna Carta has been confirmed as a rare original from 1300, signaling a monumental find for historians and scholars.
The discovery exemplifies the importance of digitization in academia, allowing historical documents to be re-evaluated and appreciated for their true significance.
This revelation comes at a crucial time for Harvard, as debates around authority and governance on campus echo the themes of individual liberty and law that the Magna Carta represents.

How we categorize media bias