KEY POINTS:
A 13th century Koran has sold for a world record price of more than $3 million, auction house Christie's says.
The religious artefact went under the hammer for $3,088,796.05
- the highest amount paid for an Islamic holy book.
Written in 1203, the tome is the earliest-known complete, dated Koran, transcribed in gold.
The book was part of a sale held in central London of art from the Islamic and Indian World.
Other highlights from the auction included an almost complete 10th century Kufic Koran, thought to be from North Africa or the near East, which sold for $2.4m. Both Korans were sold to UK trade buyers.
William Robinson, director of Islamic art and carpets and head of sale at Christie's, said: "Successions of lots exceeded their estimates, topped by the spectacular figures achieved by the two outstanding Korans consigned from the Hispanic Society of America.
"The earliest complete dated Koran written in gold, written in 1203 AD, set a new world auction record for a Koran and also a world auction record for any Islamic manuscript.
"Fiercely competitive bidding on the telephone, in the room and on the internet led to a particularly lively salesroom."
- NZPA
