Someone paid $440,000 for the Bible used in 'The Shawshank Redemption'

• The Bible used in "The Shawshank Redemption" sold for about $441,000 in an online auction.
• In the film, hero Andy Dufresne patiently digs himself out of prison with a tiny rock hammer.

The Holy Bible used in "The Shawshank Redemption" has been sold in a London-based online auction for £387,500, or about $440,000.

In the film, the book serves as the hiding place for hero Andy Dufresne's tiny rock hammer, which he uses to patiently dig his way out of Shawshank Penitentiary.

The 1994 film has enjoyed a lengthy spell as the top-rated title on IMDb.

It tells the story of banker Andy Dufresne, played by Tim Robbins, who is sentenced to life in prison at Shawshank State Penitentiary for the murders of his wife and her lover, despite his repeated claims of innocence. There, he befriends fellow prisoner Ellis "Red" Redding, played by Morgan Freeman.

The Bible is central to the film's plot. Early in the film, nefarious prison warden Norton hands Dufresne the Bible, telling him, "Salvation lies within."

In the film's climax, after Dufresne has escaped from prison, the warden discovers that his secret illegal bookkeeping accounts have been switched with the Bible.

He opens the book to find a handwritten message from Dufresne: "Dear Warden, you were right, salvation lay within."

Turning the page, Warden Norton reveals the outline of the hammer Dufresne used to tunnel his way out of the jail.

According to the Propstore auction listing, "only one rock hammer Bible was finished for the pivotal scene, as the process of cutting the hammer outline was precise and time-consuming."

The identity of the bidder has not been disclosed.

Propstore's entertainment-memorabilia auction ends on Sunday and is expected to bring in more than $10 million.

Other lots included Noel Gallagher's handwritten lyrics to the Oasis hit "Wonderwall," which fetched £46,875, or $53,300; and Gandalf's sword Glamdring from "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King," which fetched £262,500, or $298,650.