Codex Sinaiticus , great bible treasure to be bought by British Museum from the Soviets for ?100 , 000 . A duplicate of the Codex Sinitaicus , one of the only two existing fourth century bibles and one of the most important manuscripts in the world , the original of which is to be bought from the Russian Government by the British Museum for ?100 , 000 . The purchase was arranged by the firm of Maggs Bros and the British Government has undertaken to make a special contribution towards the purchase price of ?1 for every ?1 subscribed by the public . 21 December 1933