Rare US Constitution to Be Auctioned in North Carolina, Sparking Debate Over Preservation

A rare and historically significant first edition copy of the United States Constitution is set to be auctioned off at Heritage Auctions in Dallas, Texas, prompting concerns about the preservation of such important historical artifacts, CNN reports.

The document, printed in 1787, is one of only a few dozen known surviving copies of the original Constitution. It is expected to fetch a substantial price, with some estimates placing the value as high as $10 million.

The auction has attracted widespread attention from collectors and historians alike. However, the prospect of such a valuable document changing hands has raised concerns about its potential fate.

“This is a piece of American history that should be preserved for future generations,” said Dr. Peter Onuf, a historian at the University of Virginia. “Selling it off to the highest bidder could mean it ends up in a private collection and is inaccessible to the public.”

The auction has sparked debate about the balance between private ownership and public access to historical treasures. Some argue that the auction provides an opportunity for the document to be acquired by a dedicated collector who will ensure its preservation and display.

Others counter that such a valuable document belongs in a public institution, where it can be accessed by researchers and displayed for educational purposes.

“This isn’t just a piece of paper,” said Annelise Orleck, the director of the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. “It’s a document that shaped our nation, and it should be available for all to see and learn from.”

The auction is scheduled to take place on September 14 in Dallas, Texas.