A 13th century Koran was sold on Tuesday for a world record price of 1,140,500 pounds (2,320,917 dollars, 1,632,055 euros), auction house Christie's said.

The Islamic holy book, which had been expected to fetch between 250,000 and 300,000 pounds, was sold as part of an auction of art from the Islamic and Indian World that brought in a total of 5.9 million pounds.

Dated to 1203 and written entirely in gold, with marginal notes in silver, it is the earliest known complete, dated Koran, written in gold in the world, and broke the record for a Koran, and the record for any Islamic manuscript, sold at auction.

Also sold on Tuesday was a nearly complete 10th century Kufic Koran, which is thought to originate from North Africa or the Middle East, which fetched 916,500 pounds, compared to its pre-sale estimate of up to 600,000 pounds.

"Today's extraordinary sale total is one of the highest ever for Islamic Art at Christie's, reflecting the depth of demand and very strong prices realised throughout the field of classical Islamic Art," said William Robinson, director of Islamic Art and Carpets and Head of sale at Christie's.

"Fiercely competitive bidding on the telephone, in the room and on the Internet led to a particularly lively salesroom."

AMSI Net- MEO