The Most Expensive Birth Certificate

Have you ever wondered whose birth Certificate in the world is the most expensive? Is it a President, a Celebrity, or just a layman? Find out here.

The Most Expensive Birth Certificate

Source:https://www.indiamart.com/proddetail/birth-certification-services-20144710862.html

In March 1997, the world’s most expensive original birth certificate was auctioned off in Tokyo, for a sum of $84,146. This birth certificate belonged to Sir Paul McCartney, the English singer-songwriter, musician, and record producer who was known worldwide as a member of the band, The Beatles. The certificate states Paul McCartney was born on June 18, 1942, at 107 Rice lane, to James McCartney a “center lathe turner” and Mary Patricia McCartney, of 10, Sunbury Road, Liverpool.



Tracing the history of the certificate

The Most Expensive Birth Certificate

Source: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Paul-McCartney

Paul McCartney’s birth certificate was given to his family when he was born and was with the family until the death of McCartney’s father. The first time the certificate was sold off to someone was In the early 1990s, when Angela Williams, McCartney’s stepmother sold off his original birth certificate to a young boy, Brian Taylor after the demise of McCartney’s father. However, the certificate wasn’t kept for too long by its new owner as it was sold for the second time In 1997. The birth certificate was auctioned off as a part of the memorabilia, which was brought about by the relatives and colleagues of the members of the Beatles. The birth certificate of Paul McCartney was put up for auction by a record collector from California and was sold to an unidentified buyer in London. It was in the second sale where it proved to be the most expensive birth certificate in the world.


Why was the birth certificate so expensive?

The reason why the certificate sold off for such a high price was that around the 1997s there was a new wave of Beatle popularity. It was at this time the internet was beginning to grow and people had easy access to their songs. This made the Beatles more popular than they already were. People all across the world were being introduced to the Beatles once again, while many people were reminiscing their old records. This wave of popularity made their belongings all the more precious.

Although the Beatles disbanded a while before McCartney’s certificate was sold, McCartney had managed to keep his fanbase intact, which allowed for his birth certificate to be sold at such a high price. McCartney went on to become a solo artist and collaborated with other renowned artists which managed to keep him in the sphere of fame.

As a layman, one would never think a birth certificate is something that can be sold or auctioned off for such a large amount of money. Paul McCartney worked hard to come to the position where he is respected and loved by people all over the world. People were and still are awestruck by him and his talent and want to treasure any proof of his existence and the price of his birth certificate shows how much of a treasure he is. The lesson we learn from the life of Paul McCartney is that keep all the mundane things you own close, you never know who and when it may be treasured.