The Record-Breaking Sale of the Stegosaurus Skeleton Named Apex
Sotheby’s auction house recently made headlines with the auction of a remarkable find – the remains of a Stegosaurus named Apex. Billed as “the finest Stegosaurus on the market,” this ancient creature fetched a jaw-dropping $45 million at the auction.
Exceeding Expectations
The auction price far exceeded Sotheby’s initial estimate of $4 million to $6 million. The mounted Stegosaurus skeleton ultimately sold for $44.6 million, setting a new record for dinosaur fossils.
The Unveiling of Apex
Sotheby’s revealed that the iconic skeleton, approximately 161 million years old, stands 11 feet tall and stretches nearly 27 feet in length from nose to tail. The skeleton is mounted on a custom steel frame in an aggressive attack stance, making it a truly impressive display piece.
Apex was excavated between 2022 and 2023 on private land near the town of Dinosaur in Moffat County, Colorado. The fossil remains virtually intact, with signs of arthritis indicating that Apex lived a long and eventful life.
A Historic Sale
Apex’s sale marks a significant event in the world of paleontology auctions. While this Stegosaurus skeleton fetched a staggering $45 million, it is not the first dinosaur to be sold at auction. In 1997, a Tyrannosaurus rex fossil went for $8.4 million, and in 2020, another Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton sold for $32 million.
Two years later, in 2022, Sotheby’s auction house sold the fossil of a human dragon for more than $6 million, showcasing the enduring fascination and value placed on these ancient artifacts.
In conclusion, the auction of Apex at Sotheby’s has set a new standard for fossil sales, demonstrating the enduring appeal and value of these prehistoric relics. The $45 million price tag reflects both the rarity of the find and the fascination that dinosaurs continue to evoke in people around the world.