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1,500-Year-Old Ten Commandments Tablet Sold for $5.04 Million at Sotheby's in New York

Dec 19, 2024, 01:00 AM

A 1,500-year-old marble tablet inscribed with the Ten Commandments was auctioned at Sotheby's in New York for $5.04 million. The tablet, weighing 52 kilograms and dating from between 300 and 800 A.D., is considered the oldest known complete example of its kind. Discovered in 1913 during railroad excavations in what is now Israel, it was initially used as a paving stone for about 30 years before its historical significance was recognized. The tablet features inscriptions in Paleo-Hebrew script, containing nine of the commandments found in the Bible and Torah, but omits the third commandment against taking the Lord's name in vain. Instead, it includes a directive to worship on Mount Gerizim, a site sacred to the Samaritans. The final sale price exceeded the pre-sale estimate of $1 million to $2 million following over 10 minutes of intense bidding. The anonymous buyer plans to donate the artifact to an Israeli institution.

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Anonymous buyer of Ten Commandments Tablet identified by end of 2024?

Ten Commandments•New York•Israel•Bible•Torah•Mount Gerizim•Samaritans•Israeli

Resolution / Starting Odds

No • 50%

Yes • 50%

News reports or official statements revealing the buyer's identity

Ten Commandments Tablet displayed in a museum by end of 2025?

Ten Commandments•New York•Israel•Bible•Torah•Mount Gerizim•Samaritans•Israeli

Resolution / Starting Odds

Yes • 50%

No • 50%

Public announcements or press releases from museums or the buyer

Ten Commandments Tablet returned to Israel by end of 2025?

Ten Commandments•New York•Israel•Bible•Torah•Mount Gerizim•Samaritans•Israeli

Resolution / Starting Odds

Yes • 50%

No • 50%

Official announcements from the Israeli government or relevant institutions

Will another artifact from 300-800 A.D. sell for over $5 million by end of 2025?

Ten Commandments•New York•Israel•Bible•Torah•Mount Gerizim•Samaritans•Israeli

Resolution / Starting Odds

No • 50%

Yes • 50%

Auction house records or media reports on auction results

Will the buyer of the Ten Commandments Tablet be revealed by end of 2025?

Ten Commandments•New York•Israel•Bible•Torah•Mount Gerizim•Samaritans•Israeli

Resolution / Starting Odds

No • 50%

Yes • 50%

Media reports or official statements identifying the buyer

Will there be a legal dispute over the Ten Commandments tablet ownership by end of 2025?

Ten Commandments•New York•Israel•Bible•Torah•Mount Gerizim•Samaritans•Israeli

Resolution / Starting Odds

No • 50%

Yes • 50%

Legal filings or court announcements related to the ownership of the tablet

Will the Ten Commandments Tablet be displayed in an Israeli museum by end of 2025?

Ten Commandments•New York•Israel•Bible•Torah•Mount Gerizim•Samaritans•Israeli

Resolution / Starting Odds

No • 50%

Yes • 50%

Public announcements or press releases from Israeli museums or cultural institutions

Will the Ten Commandments tablet be donated to an Israeli institution by end of 2025?

Ten Commandments•New York•Israel•Bible•Torah•Mount Gerizim•Samaritans•Israeli

Resolution / Starting Odds

No • 50%

Yes • 50%

Public announcement or confirmation from the Israeli institution receiving the artifact

Will the Ten Commandments tablet be publicly exhibited in Israel by end of 2025?

Ten Commandments•New York•Israel•Bible•Torah•Mount Gerizim•Samaritans•Israeli

Resolution / Starting Odds

No • 50%

Yes • 50%

Public exhibition announcements or museum press releases in Israel

Insurance value of Ten Commandments Tablet by end of 2025?

Ten Commandments•New York•Israel•Bible•Torah•Mount Gerizim•Samaritans•Israeli

Resolution / Starting Odds

No insurance • 25%

Yes, less than $5 million • 25%

Yes, $5-$10 million • 25%

Yes, over $10 million • 25%

Insurance policy disclosures or news reports

Ten Commandments Tablet part of major international exhibition by end of 2025?

Ten Commandments•New York•Israel•Bible•Torah•Mount Gerizim•Samaritans•Israeli

Resolution / Starting Odds

Yes, in North America • 25%

No • 25%

Yes, in Asia • 25%

Yes, in Europe • 25%

Exhibition announcements or museum press releases

What type of artifact will next sell for over $5 million at Sotheby's by end of 2025?

Ten Commandments•New York•Israel•Bible•Torah•Mount Gerizim•Samaritans•Israeli

Resolution / Starting Odds

Historical Sculpture • 25%

Other • 25%

Ancient Manuscript • 25%

Rare Coin • 25%

Auction results from Sotheby's or media reports

What type of institution will receive the Ten Commandments tablet in Israel by end of 2025?

Ten Commandments•New York•Israel•Bible•Torah•Mount Gerizim•Samaritans•Israeli

Resolution / Starting Odds

Museum • 25%

University • 25%

Religious institution • 25%

Other • 25%

Public announcement or confirmation from the receiving institution

What will be the price range for the next ancient artifact auctioned at Sotheby's by end of 2025?

Ten Commandments•New York•Israel•Bible•Torah•Mount Gerizim•Samaritans•Israeli

Resolution / Starting Odds

$3 million - $5 million • 25%

Above $5 million • 25%

Below $1 million • 25%

$1 million - $3 million • 25%

Auction results published by Sotheby's

Which auction house will next sell an artifact for over $5 million by end of 2025?

Ten Commandments•New York•Israel•Bible•Torah•Mount Gerizim•Samaritans•Israeli

Resolution / Starting Odds

Christie's • 25%

Other • 25%

Bonhams • 25%

Phillips • 25%

Auction results from major auction houses or media reports

Which Israeli institution will receive the Ten Commandments Tablet by end of 2025?

Ten Commandments•New York•Israel•Bible•Torah•Mount Gerizim•Samaritans•Israeli

Resolution / Starting Odds

Israel Museum • 25%

Israel Museum, Jerusalem • 25%

Bible Lands Museum • 25%

Hebrew University • 25%

Other • 25%

Yad Vashem • 25%

Tel Aviv Museum of Art • 25%

Official announcements from the institutions or the anonymous buyer

Will the Ten Commandments tablet be featured in a major international exhibition by end of 2025, and where?

Ten Commandments•New York•Israel•Bible•Torah•Mount Gerizim•Samaritans•Israeli

Resolution / Starting Odds

Yes, in North America • 25%

Yes, in Europe • 25%

Not featured • 25%

Yes, in Asia • 25%

Exhibition announcements or press releases from major museums

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