Home / Arts and Entertainment / Notorious B.I.G.'s $594,750 Crown: The Iconic Accessory's Remarkable Journey
Notorious B.I.G.'s $594,750 Crown: The Iconic Accessory's Remarkable Journey
28 Oct
Summary
- Biggie's iconic crown sold for $594,750 at Sotheby's auction in 2020
- Crown was originally bought for just $6 by photographer Barron Claiborne
- Biggie's crowned image transformed him into a "king of hip hop" figure
In the weeks leading up to October 31, 2025, a video of a teen strutting in Timberland boots and a denim outfit reminiscent of Notorious B.I.G.'s style went viral, amassing over 8 million views. The iconic image that inspired this video was taken by photographer Barron Claiborne in 1997 as part of the "KONY (King of New York)" photoshoot for Rap Pages magazine.
The crown worn by Biggie in this portrait was a mere $6 novelty item, but it has since become a priceless symbol of the rapper's legacy. Signed just three days before his tragic death, Biggie's crown was auctioned by Sotheby's in 2020 for an astounding $594,750 - far exceeding its estimated value of $200,000 to $300,000.
Claiborne reflects that with Biggie's passing, the image of the crowned rapper transformed him into an "aristocratic or saint-like figure" - the "King of New York" and one of the greatest artists of all time. Nearly three decades later, this iconic imagery continues to captivate and inspire hip-hop fans around the world.
