A history of the most expensive teeth sold at auction and famous mouths they came from

You can find all sorts of unique and one-of-a-kind items going under the hammer at auction houses.

From famous artworks and movie props to diamond-encrusted jewellery and designer fashion, people will part with great sums to get their hands on these very special items.

Many people want a little piece of their favourite celebrity to call their own, but would you ever bid on an actual bit of that celebrity?

Back in 2011, Dr Michael Zuk (Canada) bought what became the most expensive tooth sold at auction for an eye-watering £23,010 ($36,857). The tooth in question used to belong to Beatles legend John Lennon.

He dropped the cash (£19,500 for the tooth and £3,510 commission for the auction house) at the Omega Auction House in Stockport, Cheshire, UK.

The story goes that Lennon had the tooth extracted at the dentist as it had a large cavity, and that he gave that tooth to his housekeeper Dot Jarlett, who he affectionately called “Aunty Dot”.

It’s said Lennon wrapped the tooth in a piece of paper and asked Dot to throw it away, before changing his mind and suggesting she give it to her daughter, who was a big Beatles fan.

Dot's daughter kept it for many years before it eventually found its way to auction.

Dr Zuk is said to have told Canadian broadcaster CTV News after his record-breaking purchase: “This tooth just represents a major celebrity that we don't have anymore.

“I just think it’s priceless.”

Find more fascinating tales like this in our Human Body section.

Lennon’s tooth isn’t the first holder of this record.

His £23,000 price tag broke the record of £11,000 (then $19,140) that was used to buy an upper right canine extracted from the mouth of Napoleon Bonaparte (Napoleon I of France) in 1817.

It sold in 2005 at the Dominic Winter auction in Wiltshire, UK.

It’s believed the tooth was extracted after the general was diagnosed with scurvy in 1816 by physician Barry O’Meara.

This happened during Napoleon’s exile on the South Atlantic British island of St Helena following his defeat in the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.

Before Napoleon’s tooth went under the hammer, the most expensive one ever sold belonged to Sir Isaac Newton.

A nobleman bought it in London in 1816 for £730 (now worth around £62,000 or $81,000) and had it set in a ring.

Header image: Photo by Colourblind Kevin on Unsplash