5. St. Cuthbert Gospel – $14.3 million ($14.7 million in 2016)
Also known as the Stonyhurst Gospel, the St. Cuthbert Gospel may not be the most expensive book, but it is definitely the most ancient on our list. It came from the 7th century.
The writer of this pocket book remains unknown. Its leather binding survived centuries of usage and storage. It was found within the Saint Cuthbert’s coffin. Apparently, it was either belonged to him or written as a dedication to the saint after his passing.
In April 2012, this original St. Cuthbert Gospel was sold to The British Library for $14.3 million. The book is not just precious in religious point of view. It also holds an important historical value.
The St. Cuthbert Gospel is arguably the oldest European book to survive the centuries of age and still fully intact.
