What Makes This Copy of the Book of Mormon Worth $100,000?

"In my almost four decades in the rare book business, this is the oldest copy in the sense of being under continuous ownership that I've ever come across before."

A piece of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints history was the focus of a segment on PBS's "Antiques Roadshow" this week, as a rare first edition copy of the Book of Mormon was appraised at between $75,000 and $100,000.

The text, which was received by the unnamed owner's family just three years after the Book of Mormon was originally written in 1830, has been passed through the generations since the owner's great great grandfather received it in 1833, reported Deseret News.

"My great great grandfather received it in Massachusetts and brought it out west through Missouri then finally to Salt Lake and then Oregon," the owner told appraiser Ken Sanders, who runs Ken Sanders Rare Books in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Five generations later, Sanders told the owner that the book, which is in good condition, is worth tens of thousands -- if not more. All of its five owners over the years have written inside the book, adding a fascinating family history to an already unique text.

"In my almost four decades in the rare book business, this is the oldest copy in the sense of being under continuous ownership that I've ever come across before," Sanders said, calling the situation surrounding the book and its condition "remarkable."

The book, he explained, is $75,000 at retail, but considering the family history, genealogy and condition of the book, the sum was elevated to $100,000.

(H/T: Deseret News)

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