Tyrannosaurus rex most expensive dinosaur ever sold
The dinosaur skeleton, which roamed the planet 67 million years ago, was sold by Sotheby's in New York.
Tyrannosaurus rex sets record as most expensive dinosaur sold
A 67 million-year-old Tyrannosaurus rex has fetched £37.4 million ($50.1 million) at a Sotheby's auction in New York, marking the highest price ever paid for a dinosaur.
This renowned predator's fossil measures over 12 feet (4 meters) in height, and with more than 60% of its bones recovered, it is considered one of "the most complete" specimens ever discovered, according to Sotheby's.
The identity of the winning bidder from Tuesday's auction has not yet been revealed.
Affectionately named Gus, this T. rex was unearthed in 2021 on a secluded ranch in South Dakota.
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"It's truly remarkable to witness and to have such a high level of public interest," stated Cassandra Hatton, Sotheby's global head of science and natural history.
"I believe that whenever you have this kind of attention, it benefits science. Generally, more individuals will visit museums, and it brings dinosaurs and natural history into public discourse."
The sale surpassed the previous record held by a stegosaurus in 2024 and is the first to break the $50 million mark.
Some scientists have suggested to the BBC that this auction could signal a new era in fossil collecting among the ultra-wealthy.
The skull of the T. rex, nicknamed Gus, shows evidence of a perilous life.
Hatton noted that the price reflects the extensive time and resources dedicated to excavating the specimen.
The bones were dug up over three summers, from 2021 to 2023, when the ground was warm enough to thaw.
It then took an additional three years in the laboratory to reconstruct the T. rex.
This process revealed that the skull bore bite marks and previously fractured ribs that had healed during its lifetime.
Both injuries may have been incurred while scavenging or during confrontations with other dinosaurs.
While it may take some time before the buyer is disclosed, Apex, the stegosaurus that previously held the record, was loaned to the American Natural History Museum for four years by its billionaire owner, Kenneth Griffin.
Thus, even if Gus has attracted a wealthy buyer, it could still end up in a museum near you in the near future.