As per Sotheby’s New York, a gold, ruby and diamond crown ring belonging to rapper Tupac Shakur sold for more than $1 million on Monday, shattering the record for the most valuable Hip Hop artifact ever sold at auction.
Tupac designed and commissioned the ring in 1996, which he wore in his last public appearance at the 1996 MTV Video Music Awards and it was estimated to sell for $300,000, but it reached $1,016,000 following 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.
In reference to his relationship with Kidada Jones, the daughter of Quincy Jones and Peggy Lipton, the ring’s band has “Pac & Dada, 1996” engraved on it.
The “All Eyez on Me” singer took inspiration for his design from Niccolo Machiavelli’s political treatise The Prince, which he read in prison, as well as the crowns of Europe’s medieval rulers. After reading the book, he also took on the name “Makaveli”.
Tupac’s mother, Afeni Shakur, taught him to think of himself as a “Black prince,” according to his godmother Yaasmyn Fula, who offered the ring for auction. Fula was Tupac’s godmother, advisor and lifelong supporter.