Tupac's Crown Ring Reaches Value Of Over $1 Million At Auction
By Afouda Bamidele on July 27, 2023 at 3:45 PM EDT
Tupac Shakur is making his money from beyond the grave!
A remarkable diamond and ruby ring, personally designed by the renowned rap legend, exceeded all expectations by selling for over $1 million, far surpassing the estimated value.
He crafted this distinctive crown ring as a symbol of celebration for his infamous agreement with Death Row Records and his release on bail from a correctional facility in New York. Tragically, the design came just before he was fatally shot in September 1996, adding a touching layer of mystery to one of the music industry's greatest enigmas.
Tupac's Crown Ring Becomes The Most Expensive Hip-Hop Item Ever Sold
Tupac's custom crown-shaped ring, which held significance as one of his last personal possessions before his passing, achieved a remarkable milestone by selling for nearly $1.02 million during a Sotheby's auction in New York. This sale set a new record for the highest value ever achieved by a hip-hop artifact at auction.
The auction featured an array of hip-hop antiquity, including autographed letters from the "2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted" rapper and a demo tape of his single "Trapped," according to a press release from the auction house. Initially estimated to sell between $200,000 to $300,000, the ring's final sale price surpassed all expectations.
The lots presented during the auction were part of a special commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the hip-hop genre, featuring memorabilia from other notable industry names such as De La Soul, Mos Def, and Wu-Tang Clan.
As Insider observed, Tupac's crown ring, crafted from 14-Karat gold and adorned with diamonds and rubies, bore a significant inscription that read "Pac & Dada 1996" – a tribute to his engagement to actress Kidada Jones.
The jewelry was offered for auction by the artist's godmother, Yaasmyn Fula, who informed Sotheby's that it was specially designed by the "All Eyez on Me" hitmaker himself and meticulously assembled by jewelers in New York City. The aforementioned press release revealed:
"Reflecting his recent affinity for Niccolo Machiavelli's political manifesto 'The Prince' (Tupac would start going by "Makaveli" after reading The Prince while incarcerated), Tupac modeled his design after the crowns of the medieval kings of Europe in 'an act of self-coronation,' according to Fula, a celebration of survival through a tumultuous year in an oft tumultuous life."
Just a few days before the record-breaking sale occurred, The Blast had reported that the car – a BMW 7 series – involved in the tragic shooting of the "Hit Em Up" Shakur had gone up for sale through a website called Celebrity Cars.
The car, which was not owned by the late artist, was driven by Suge Knight at the time of the shooting and was leased initially by Death Row Records. According to Celebrity Cars, this is the first time the vehicle has been offered for sale or public display since Tupac's passing, additionally claiming that the car has completely restored its pre-shooting condition and has been repainted.
It now rides on replaced wheels, identical to the ones it had in 1996, and the bullet holes have been addressed as part of the restoration process. The black BMW's asking price of $1,750,000 is undeniably steep, making it a purchase that would appeal to dedicated Tupac fans with significant financial means.
Tupac's Home Was Recently Searched In Connection With His Murder
In a recent development, detectives executed a search at a residence in Henderson, a suburban area near Las Vegas, where the American Music Award winner was tragically gunned down. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police, responsible for the ongoing investigation into his murder, have not provided specific details regarding the nature of the search.
Per The Blast, the prominent rapper was only 25 years old when he was fatally shot. While no arrests have been made and there are currently no suspects in custody, it is worth noting that the search location is less than 20 miles from the Las Vegas strip where Tupac was left for dead.
Following the drive-by shooting, the "Nothing but Trouble" actor was rushed to the University Medical Center of Southern Nevada, where medical professionals worked tirelessly to save his life, subjecting him to numerous surgeries. Unfortunately, despite their best efforts, Tupac ultimately succumbed to his injuries and passed away on September 13.
The investigation into his murder subsequently encountered significant challenges from the beginning, with witnesses being hesitant to come forward, hindering the case's progress.
Even though the Las Vegas police managed to interview him before his untimely death, the "Gang Related" star could not provide them with any crucial information about the identity of his attackers or the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
