A massive dinosaur skeleton has achieved a record-breaking sale of $44.6 million (£34 million) at a Sotheby’s auction in New York City, marking the highest price ever paid for a fossil. The plant-eating stegosaurus, named Apex, stands 11 feet (3.4 meters) tall and stretches 27 feet long from nose to tail. According to Sotheby’s, it “ranks high among the most complete skeletons ever found.”
The skeleton was purchased by an anonymous buyer who commented, “Apex was born in America and is going to stay in America,” hinting that it might be loaned to a US institution. Apex was serendipitously discovered in 2022 by a paleontologist near the aptly named town of Dinosaur in Colorado.
“Apex, the finest stegosaurus to ever appear at auction, has made history today by selling for $44.6 million at Sotheby’s, becoming the most valuable fossil ever sold at auction,” Sotheby’s said in a statement. The fossil’s final price surpassed its pre-sale estimates by over 11 times, drawing applause after a 15-minute bidding war. Seven buyers vied for this extraordinary specimen.
The discovery of Apex is credited to Jason Cooper, a professional fossil hunter, who named it for its impressive size, suggesting it was a dominant creature in its ecosystem. Apex is believed to have lived around 150 million years ago during the Late Jurassic Period.
The previous record for a dinosaur fossil sale was set in 2020 when a Tyrannosaurus Rex named Stan sold for $31.8 million.
The excitement surrounding Apex’s sale highlights the growing interest and value placed on well-preserved dinosaur fossils. Such fossils not only captivate the public imagination but also hold significant scientific importance, offering insights into the prehistoric world.
Sotheby’s noted that the auction was a significant event, attracting attention from paleontologists, collectors, and enthusiasts alike. The high bidding activity reflects both the rarity and the exceptional condition of Apex. With such a well-preserved skeleton, researchers have the opportunity to study the anatomy and possibly the behavior of the stegosaurus in greater detail.
The anonymous buyer’s hint at loaning Apex to a US institution has sparked speculation about which museum or research facility might house the fossil. If loaned to a public institution, Apex could become a centerpiece exhibit, drawing visitors and fostering educational opportunities about the Late Jurassic Period and the creatures that roamed the Earth during that time.
 at a Sotheby's auction in New York City){kind=link}