Article created by: Saulė Tolstych

Collectors and folks who are directly affected by scarcity will know exactly what it means to have just one of something in existence. Even more of a reason to celebrate what we have, right?

Well, there is a dedicated online community that does just that. r/UniqueArtifacts posts and shares pictures of one of a kind artifacts throughout history. Mostly, it’s stuff archaeologists had to dig out from the ground, but there are some more modern submissions there as well.

Whatever the case, scroll down, check it out, and share some of your insights into whatever you see in this list, or share some artifacts that should have made it up here!

More Info: r/UniqueArtifacts

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#1

The Only Surviving Handwriting Of A Roman Emperor (Theodosius II)

Ancient handwritten manuscript on fragile papyrus, one of the rare artifacts considered unique today by an online community.

RelaxedOrange Report

Final score:
2points
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RELATED:
    #2

    Tombstone Of Marcus Caelius, The Only Known Example Of Direct Reference To The Varus Disaster During Which 20,000 Men Were Lost To Ambush

    Ancient carved stone artifact featuring three figures and Latin inscriptions, one of 24 unique artifacts left today.

    Translation:
     
    "To Marcus Caelius, son of Titus, of the Lemonian voting tribe, from Bologna, a centurion in the First Order of legio XVIII, aged 53; He fell in the Varian War. His bones - if found - may be placed in this monument. Publius Caelius, son of Titus, of the Lemonian voting tribe, his brother, set this up."

    reddit.com Report

    Final score:
    2points
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    #3

    The Pons Fabricus Is The Only Ancient Bridge In Rome Still In Its Original Location And Condition. The Last Major Repairs Occurred In 23 BCE

    Ancient stone bridge over river, one of the only artifacts of its kind preserved and highlighted by an online community.

    reddit.com Report

    Final score:
    1point
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    #4

    One Of The Last Two Preserved Jolly Roger Pirate Flags Left In Existence

    Ancient rare artifact showing a faded skull and crossbones on a worn fabric hanging on display.

    RelaxedOrange Report

    Final score:
    1point
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    #5

    The “Iron Man” Buddha - The Only Statue Carved From A Meteor

    Ancient rare artifact sculpture of a seated figure with halo, one of the only ones of its kind left today.

    RelaxedOrange Report

    Final score:
    1point
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    #6

    The Sword Of Goujian Was Discovered Untarnished And Retains Sharp Edges After ~2500 Years

    Ancient sword with intricate patterned blade, displayed as a rare artifact considered one of its kind left today.

    reddit.com Report

    Final score:
    1point
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    #7

    The Only Known Color Photograph Of The Russian Czar's Fabled "Amber Room" - Looted By The Nazi's This Unique, Priceless Work Of Art Was Lost For Ever (Maybe?). St Petersburg, 1943

    Ornate golden room with a unique equestrian statue and antique furniture, showcasing one of the rare artifacts today

    RelaxedOrange Report

    Final score:
    1point
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    #8

    One Of Only Three Papyrus Fragments Written In The Phoenician Language

    Ancient fragile artifact with faded inscriptions on aged material, one of the rare artifacts considered unique today.

    RelaxedOrange Report

    Final score:
    1point
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    #9

    Intact Bottle Of Ancient Roman Wine From 325ad

    Two photos of a unique artifact bottle displayed in a museum, representing one of the only artifacts of its kind today.

    RelaxedOrange Report

    Final score:
    1point
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    #10

    This Julio-Claudian Rock Crystal And Silver Spoon Is The Only Example Of Its Kind Known To Exist

    Rare artifact featuring a vintage magnifying glass with a detailed silver handle, unique collectible item preserved today.

    RelaxedOrange Report

    Final score:
    1point
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    #11

    The Only Surviving Example Of An Iconic Roman “Scutum” Shield

    Ancient red artifact with intricate black and gold designs, considered to be one of the only ones of its kind left today.

    RelaxedOrange Report

    Final score:
    1point
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    #12

    The Only Natural Fossil Of A Scorpion Made Entirely Out Of Copper

    Rare artifact resembling a lobster covered in mineral deposits, one of the unique artifacts considered the only ones of their kind left today.

    RelaxedOrange Report

    Final score:
    1point
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    #13

    Ancient Roman-Egyptian Crocodile Armor

    Ancient rare armor made from reptile skin, displayed as one of the unique artifacts considered the only ones left today.

    RelaxedOrange Report

    Final score:
    1point
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    #14

    The Only Surviving Example Of A Crest From A Roman Centurion's Helmet

    Ancient unique artifact displayed in a glass case with preserved hair and metal ornaments as rare historical items.

    RelaxedOrange Report

    Final score:
    1point
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    #15

    The Vergilius Augusteus, One Of Only Two Surviving Ancient Manuscripts To Be Painstakingly Written In Roman Square Capitals

    Ancient manuscript page featuring rare Latin script, one of the 24 artifacts considered unique today by online community.

    RelaxedOrange Report

    Final score:
    1point
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    #16

    First Ever Intact Ballista Arrow Uncovered In Utrecht (Augusta Treverorum), Netherlands

    Rusty metal artifacts lying on a white surface, showcasing some of the only artifacts of their kind left today.

    gravitone Report

    Final score:
    1point
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    #17

    The Only Intact Bronze Lantern From Ancient Rome Next To A Reproduction. Housed In The Museo Archeologico Girolamo Rossi In Ventimiglia, Italy

    Ancient rare lantern artifacts displayed side by side, showcasing unique metalwork and historical design features.

    reddit.com Report

    Final score:
    1point
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    #18

    The Only Time A Monumental Column Was Erected And Adorned With A Statue That Was Not An Emperor Was The Early 2nd Century Gilded Bronze "Emona Citizen". Housed In The Roman Lapidarium Of The National Museum Of Slovenia

    Ancient gold statue artifact with intricate draped clothing, considered a unique surviving artifact today.

    reddit.com Report

    Final score:
    1point
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    #19

    1961 Photo Of A Screw Press Used To Iron Clothes From The Bottega Del Lanarius Or Workshop Of Lanarius In Herculaneum. This Was The Only Artifact Found In The Shop, Along With Bourbon Tunnels. No Other Examples Exist

    Antique historical artifact displayed indoors, representing one of the only remaining unique artifacts found today.

    reddit.com Report

    Final score:
    1point
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    #20

    The Only Surviving Example Of Roman “Cestus” Boxing Gloves

    Rare artifact showing unique wooden hands with worn black gloves displayed against a blurred background in an online community.

    RelaxedOrange Report

    Final score:
    1point
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    #21

    The Earliest Example Of A Proper “Book”, Written In A Totally Unique Style

    Ancient manuscript fragment with faded Latin script, one of the rare artifacts considered the only ones of their kind left today.

    RelaxedOrange Report

    Final score:
    1point
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    #22

    The Misenum Statue Is The Only Surviving Bronze Imperial Image To Have Been Altered As A Result Of Condemnation. Domitian's Facial Features Have Been Severed From The Back Of The Head And Replaced With A New Face Representing Nerva

    Rare artifact of a bronze equestrian statue featuring a Roman figure on a horse, considered one of its kind left today.

    reddit.com Report

    Final score:
    1point
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    #23

    The Barber Cup & Crawford Cup, The Only Two Examples Of Ancient Roman Vessels Carved From Fluorite

    Ancient unique artifact cup with intricate patterns, considered the only one of its kind left today in an online community.

    RelaxedOrange Report

    Final score:
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    See Also on Bored Panda
    #24

    One Of The Two Coins Found Of The Roman Usurper Silbannacus, Who Would've Been Unknown Otherwise

    Ancient rare coin artifact, one of the only ones of its kind left today, displayed with detailed engravings and inscriptions.

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    Final score:
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