An old filing cabinet containing a rare copy of the US Constitution is set to be sold at auction.

A first edition of the United States Constitution, signed by Secretary of Congress Charles Thomson, was discovered at a North Carolina estate.

The revolutionary document was discovered in 2022 at Hayes Farm, in Edenton.

An auction of items will take place in Asheville, North Carolina, by Brunk Auctions.

An old filing cabinet in North Carolina was searched for a rare piece of history during the preparation of a house for sale, which will later be transformed into a public historic site, as stated in Brunk Auctions' press release.

According to the release, the 184-acre plantation property was originally acquired by former North Carolina Governor Samuel Johnston in 1765.

One of eight surviving signed ratification copies and the only one in private ownership is the document.

According to auctioneer Andrew Brunk, James Madison believed that the Constitution was merely a plan until it was given life and validity by the voice of the people, as expressed through State Conventions.

The starting bid for the item is $1 million, but it is predicted to fetch a higher price.

Seth Kaller, a historical document expert collaborating with Brunk, stated that this is a unique opportunity to own a cornerstone of our democracy, particularly at this time in our nation's history. It also reminds us of the crucial role New York played in the founding of America.

According to Brunk Auctions, the last recorded sale of a similar document occurred in 1891.

The 237th anniversary of Congress passing the ratification resolution will coincide with the sale of the rare document at Brunk Auctions on Sept. 28.

The location where the Confederation Congress met in 1787 and resolved to send the Constitution to the States for ratification is now open to the public to view a piece of American history.

The event will take place on Friday, September 13, from 1:00 to 4:30 PM at Federal Hall National Memorial located at 26 Wall Street in New York, New York.