In One Ear: Lot No. 1

Published 5:00 am Thursday, February 19, 2026

Another historic gem will be on the block at Goldin’s USA 250 Auction, held in honor of the country’s semiquincentennial anniversary: One of the first copies of the Declaration of Independence, created in July 1776, officially announcing America’s separation from Great Britain.

According to Antique Trader, the document is actually called a broadside, a one-sided printed document that was read aloud in public places to inform the people around the colonies of this revolutionary news. Skirmishes that became the Revolutionary War began on April 19, 1775.

There are about 125 broadsides still existing today, but there are only 10 copies left of the edition this copy is believed to be from, a publisher in Exeter, New Hampshire.

The auction takes place this spring. So, what’s it worth? Goldin hasn’t offered an estimate yet, but according to PopSci, on Jan. 23, Christie’s sold a similar Exeter broadside for $5.7 million.

“This remarkable piece of history,” Ken Goldin, CEO and founder of Goldin, announced, “will be Lot No. 1 …”. ” (Photo: Courtesy of Goldin)