$30 Million Copy of Magna Carta Goes to Auction

Valued at up to $30 million dollars, this 710 year old copy of the Magna Carta is one of only twenty copies ever produced throughout history. Courtesy of the Perot Foundation It has found its way to Sotheby's Auction House in New York.

Yahoo News Reports, The famous Magna Carta was signed by King John in 1215 under the force of rebellious barons, the document was written to establish the rights of the English people and curb the powers of the king. According to Sotheby's the Magna Carta was enacted as law in 1297 by the British Parliament when it was reissued by King Edward I. This copy was created in 1297. As one of only two copies outside of Britain, this copy has been on display National Archives and Records Administration in Washington D.C., the other copy also created in 1297 is owned by the Australian Government. Sotheby's Vice Chairman, David Redden says the document,

symbolizes mankind's eternal quest for freedom; it is a talisman of liberty.

. The Perot Foundation created by former U.S. Presidential candidate and billionaire, Ross Perot, plans to use money from the sale for their charities. The foundation purchased the Magna Carta in 1984.