In an astonishing event at a New York auction, the largest stegosaurus skeleton ever found, named Apex, was sold for a record-breaking $44.6 million. This impressive specimen, dating back 150 million years, stands 11 feet tall and spans 27 feet in length. The sale price far surpassed Sotheby’s initial estimate of $4-6 million, even beating the previous record held by a tyrannosaurus rex named Stan, which sold for $31.8 million in 2020.
Apex: A Dinosaur of Historical Significance
Cassandra Hatton, who leads Sotheby’s science-related business, described Apex as a « coloring book dinosaur » due to its well-preserved features. This stegosaurus, known for its distinctive pointy plates along its back, has captured the fascination of many. Discovered in May 2022 by paleontologist Jason Cooper on his private land near Dinosaur, Colorado, Apex’s journey from excavation to auction was thoroughly documented by Sotheby’s.
Controversy in Fossil Sales
While the sale of dinosaur fossils continues to draw immense interest and high bids, it remains controversial within the scientific community. Many scientists argue that such valuable specimens should be housed in museums or research centers rather than sold at high prices that institutions cannot afford. However, the anonymous buyer of Apex has expressed an intention to potentially loan the skeleton to a U.S. institution for public display.
A Remarkable Find
Apex is a significant discovery, with between 79 and 85 percent of the fossil intact, a notable achievement given that 50 percent is typically considered a significant find. The skeleton even shows signs of arthritis, indicating that Apex lived a long life. Compared to other notable finds, Apex is 30 percent larger than Sophie, the most complete stegosaurus on public display, housed at the Natural History Museum in London.
The Growing Trend of Dinosaur Auctions
This sale highlights the increasing trend of auctioning dinosaur remains. Despite the controversies, these sales continue to attract high bids and public interest, marking a fascinating intersection of paleontology, private ownership, and public exhibition.
