Australia’s Magna Carta: precious document bought in 1952 for £12,500 now worth $35m

Then prime minister Tony Abbott in 2015 marks the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta, which should be back on display by the end of next year. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian

Australia’s 1297 edition of Magna Carta, bought in 1952 for £12,500, is now worth $35m.

The precious document, the “foundation stone of constitutional and parliamentary government”, is in storage at Parliament House in Canberra while a new display case is built.