The largest stegosaurus skeleton ever discovered, dubbed Apex, fetched a staggering $44.6 million at an auction held by Sotheby’s in New York on Wednesday. This sale sets a new record in the world of paleontological auctions.
Estimated to be approximately 150 million years old, Apex is heralded as one of the most complete stegosaurus skeletons ever unearthed, boasting 254 fossil bone elements out of a total estimated at 319. Standing at 11 feet tall (3.3 meters) and stretching 27 feet in length, the specimen drew significant attention from collectors and dinosaur enthusiasts alike.
The previous record for a dinosaur skeleton sold at auction stood at $31.8 million, achieved in 2020 for a Tyrannosaurus Rex named “Stan.” Sotheby’s initial estimates for Apex ranged modestly between $4 million and $6 million. However, bidding swiftly escalated as telephone bidders fervently competed, eliciting gasps and applause within the auction hall.
Following the historic sale, the auctioneer humorously queried Cassandra Hatton, Sotheby’s global head of science, asking, “do you need a cigarette?”
Apex was first discovered in May 2022 on private land belonging to paleontologist Jason Cooper. Sotheby’s emphasized its collaboration with Cooper to meticulously document every phase of the skeleton’s journey, from excavation and restoration to its final presentation, ensuring utmost authenticity and transparency.
The auction marks a continuation of the rising trend in the sale of dinosaur remains. While stegosaurus skeletons are not uncommon in museum collections worldwide, Apex stands out as it is approximately 30 percent larger than Sophie, the most comprehensive stegosaurus skeleton on public display, housed at the Natural History Museum in London.
In a notable incident earlier this year, Christie’s auction house withdrew a T-rex skeleton from auction in Hong Kong due to authenticity concerns just days before it was set to be sold.
The sale of Apex underscores the enduring fascination and value placed on rare dinosaur fossils in the global market, where collectors vie for these prehistoric marvels to enrich both private collections and scientific understanding.
