Tupac Shakur’s gold, ruby, and diamond crown ring sold for over $1 million at auction, becoming the most valuable Hip Hop artifact ever sold.
A gold, ruby, and diamond crown ring, designed and worn by the late US rapper Tupac Shakur during his last public appearance in 1996, is displayed during a press preview at Sotheby’s in New York City on July 20, 2023. A gold, ruby and diamond crown ring worn by rap legend Tupac Shakur during his last public appearance sold for $1 million at auction in New York on July 25, 2023. The winning bid was well above Sotheby’s pre-sale estimate of between $200,000 and $300,000 and becomes the most valuable hip-hop artifact ever sold, the auction house said.
A gold, ruby and diamond crown ring that belonged to rapper Tupac Shakur sold for over $1 million on Monday, breaking the record for the most valuable Hip Hop artifact ever sold at auction, according to Sotheby’s New York.
The ring, which Tupac designed and commissioned in 1996 and wore at his last public appearance at the 1996 MTV Video Music Awards, was expected to sell for $300,000 but fetched $1,016,000 after a bidding war.
“This one-of-a-kind, custom ring was meticulously designed by Pac and is among the final products of his boundless creative energy a unique artifact from a period of time that is a testament to his enduring influence on Hip Hop,” said Cassandra Hatton, Sotheby’s Global Head of Science and Popular Culture.
The ring has “Pac & Dada, 1996” engraved on the band, a reference to his relationship with Kidada Jones, the daughter of Quincy Jones and Peggy Lipton.
The “All Eyez on Me” singer’s design was inspired by the crowns of the medieval kings of Europe and by Niccolo Machiavelli’s political treatise The Prince, which he read while in prison. He also adopted the alias “Makaveli” after reading the book.