A Stegosaurus skeleton has broken records as the most valuable fossil ever sold at auction, fetching $44.6 million in New York. The sale, handled by Sotheby’s, saw the fossil, nicknamed “Apex,” attract bids from seven interested parties before being claimed by an anonymous buyer.
Stegosaurus Skeleton Sets Auction Record https://t.co/RtsTEgzYuT
— NahBabyNah #Trump (@NahBabyNah) July 18, 2024
The fossil’s final price far exceeded its pre-sale estimate of $4 million to $6 million. Discovered by commercial paleontologist Jason Cooper in 2022 on private land in Moffat County, Colorado, Apex was remarkably well-preserved in hard sandstone, protecting the bones from distortion. The skeleton stands 11 feet tall and measures nearly 27 feet in length, comprising 254 fossil bone elements out of an estimated total of 319, suggesting it was a large, robust adult.
The Stegosaurus skeleton is more than 150 million years old and sold for more than any other fossil in history.https://t.co/F1rFvy5muI
— The Daily Beast (@thedailybeast) July 18, 2024
Interestingly, there is evidence that Apex might have had arthritis, indicating it lived to an advanced age. Despite the commercial interest in such fossils, some paleontologists argue that they should be displayed in museums for public education rather than sold to private collectors. Steve Brusatte, a paleontology professor at the University of Edinburgh, expressed his disappointment, noting the educational potential of such significant fossils.
Brusatte highlighted the scarcity of well-preserved Stegosaurus skeletons compared to other famous dinosaurs like T. rex and Triceratops. He hoped wealthy buyers would consider donating such fossils to museums. Sotheby’s noted that the buyer of Apex intends to explore loaning the specimen to a U.S. institution, ensuring it remains accessible for study and public display.
DINOSAURS
Ken Griffin pays $45 million for ‘nearly intact’ stegosaurus skeleton.
A win for fake skeletons (probably stitched together by random bones of 50 animals, who knows) and junk science of paleontology.
I woke up to dino hoax 10 years ago…😬https://t.co/IwsqQoOjSs
— Sanjay “John” (@sanjay_world) July 18, 2024
The successful buyer expressed a commitment to keeping Apex in the United States, reflecting a sense of national heritage. This sale follows previous high-profile auctions of dinosaur fossils, including “Sue,” a Tyrannosaurus rex sold for $8.4 million in 1997, also handled by Sotheby’s.
Key Points:
- A Stegosaurus skeleton named “Apex” sold for $44.6 million, setting a record for the most valuable fossil ever auctioned.
- Discovered in Colorado, Apex is a well-preserved specimen standing 11 feet tall and nearly 27 feet long.
- Some paleontologists argue fossils like Apex should be in museums for public education.
- The anonymous buyer plans to explore loaning Apex to a U.S. institution.
- Previous notable fossil auctions include “Sue,” a Tyrannosaurus rex sold for $8.4 million in 1997.
Charles William III – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
