Current:Home > InvestStegosaurus sells for almost $45 million at Sotheby's auction, the most for any dinosaur fossil -VisionFunds
Stegosaurus sells for almost $45 million at Sotheby's auction, the most for any dinosaur fossil
Poinbank Exchange View
Date:2025-04-07 01:24:14
Sotheby's has auctioned off the skeleton of a stegosaurus named Apex, billed as "the finest for Stegosaurus to ever come to market," for almost $45 million, a record.
The sale price far exceeds the estimate of $4 million to $6 million that Sotheby's had assigned to the lot. Described as a mounted Stegosaurus skeleton, the exact sale price was $44.6 million, surpassing earlier sales records for dinosaur fossils.
Sotheby's, which said the auction closed Wednesday morning, did not immediately disclose the buyer's identity.
"'Apex' lived up to its name today, inspiring bidders globally to become the most valuable fossil ever sold at auction," Cassandra Hatton, Sotheby's global head of science & popular culture said in a statement following the sale.
"This sale has been years in the making, and at every turn, we have worked closely with Jason Cooper, from the moment of its discovery in Dinosaur, Colorado, to its sale in New York," she added, making reference to the paleontologist who discovered the specimen.
The iconic skeleton is approximately 161 million years old, according to Sotheby's, and measures 11 feet tall by nearly 27 feet long from nose to tail. According to the auction house's listing, Apex "is mounted in an aggressive attack pose on a custom steel armature."
It was excavated on private land in Moffat County, Colorado, near the town of Dinosaur, between 2022 and 2023.
The fossil of one of the world's most recognizable dinosaurs is nearly completely intact, according to Sotheby's. The fossil also shows signs of arthritis, suggesting that Apex lived a long life.
Apex is not the first dinosaur to sell at auction. In 1997, a Tyrannosaurus rex fossil sold for $8.4 million and in 2020, another T. rex skeleton fetched $32 million. Two years later, in 2022, Sothebys sold a Gorgosaurus skeleton for over $6 million.
— The Associated Press contributed to this report
- In:
- Sotheby's
- dinosaur
Megan Cerullo is a New York-based reporter for CBS MoneyWatch covering small business, workplace, health care, consumer spending and personal finance topics. She regularly appears on CBS News 24/7 to discuss her reporting.
veryGood! (7239)
Related
- North Carolina trustees approve Bill Belichick’s deal ahead of introductory news conference
- Mother and grandparents indicted on murder charge in death of emaciated West Virginia girl
- What will become of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ musical legacy? Experts weigh in following his indictment
- Kim Kardashian and Kanye West's 4 Kids Look So Grown Up in Back-to-School Photos
- Where will Elmo go? HBO moves away from 'Sesame Street'
- Most maternal deaths can be prevented. Here’s how California aims to cut them in half
- 'Bachelorette' contestant Devin Strader's ex took out restraining order after burglary
- Xandra Pohl Fuels Danny Amendola Dating Rumors at Dancing With the Stars Taping
- DoorDash steps up driver ID checks after traffic safety complaints
- Kate Middleton Reaches New Milestone After Completing Chemotherapy for Cancer
Ranking
- Civic engagement nonprofits say democracy needs support in between big elections. Do funders agree?
- O'Doul's in Milwaukee? Phenom Jackson Chourio can't drink in Brewers postseason party
- Speaker Johnson takes another crack at spending bill linked to proof of citizenship for new voters
- Prosecutors charge 10 with failing to disperse during California protest
- As Trump Enters Office, a Ripe Oil and Gas Target Appears: An Alabama National Forest
- 3 dead in wrong-way crash on busy suburban Detroit highway
- Ringo Starr guides a submarine of singalongs with his All Starr band: Review
- Michael Hill and April Brown given expanded MLB roles following the death of Billy Bean
Recommendation
'Kraven the Hunter' spoilers! Let's dig into that twisty ending, supervillain reveal
Harassment case dismissed against Alabama transportation director
Boar's Head to 'permanently discontinue' liverwurst after fatal listeria outbreak
Singer JoJo Addresses Rumor of Cold Encounter With Christina Aguilera
Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
US Army conducts training exercise on Alaskan island less than 300 miles from Russia
Washington gubernatorial debate pits attorney general vs. ex-sheriff who helped nab serial killer
How much do you tip? If you live in these states, your answer may be lower.