Murdered Rapper's Ring Sells for $1m
July 27, 23
(IDEX Online) - A gold, ruby and diamond ring that belonged to US rapper Tupac Shakur sold for $1.02m - more than three times its high estimate - at Sotheby's New York.
It is now reported to be the most valuable hip-hop artifact ever sold at auction.
Shakur wore the ring at the MTV Video Music Awards in September 1996.
Three days later he was murdered in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas in 1996, aged 25. During his brief career he had sold more than 75m records worldwide.
He designed the ring as a medieval-style crown, set with round diamonds and cabochon rubies and inscribed "Pac & Dada, 1996", marking his engagement to actress Kidada Jones.
The ring was offered for sale by Yaasmyn Fula, his godmother, mentor and manager, with an estimate of $200,000 to $300,000.
Pic shows a Tupac Shakur CD and the ring