Historic Stegosaurus Skeleton Fetches Record $44.6 Million at Auction

In a landmark event for paleontology enthusiasts and collectors alike, the largest stegosaurus skeleton ever discovered has been sold for an unprecedented $44.6 million at a New York auction. The 150-million-year-old specimen, affectionately dubbed "Apex," stands 11 feet (3.3 meters) tall and stretches 27 feet (8.2 meters) in length. The sale, conducted by Sotheby’s, saw the skeleton purchased by an anonymous American buyer, surpassing the auction house's presale estimate of $4-6 million and shattering the previous record of $31.8 million set by a Tyrannosaurus rex named Stan in 2020.

The high-profile sale of dinosaur fossils remains a contentious issue within the scientific community. Many paleontologists argue that such invaluable specimens should be housed in museums or research institutions, which often lack the financial means to compete at high-end auctions. Despite this, Sotheby’s revealed that the new owner of Apex intends to explore options for loaning the skeleton to a U.S. institution, potentially making it accessible for public viewing and scientific study.

Cassandra Hatton, head of Sotheby’s science-related business, remarked on the significance of the sale, stating, "Apex has now taken its place in history, some 150 million years since it roamed the planet." Hatton praised the skeleton's remarkable preservation, likening it to a "coloring book dinosaur" due to its distinct and well-maintained features. The stegosaurus, known for its characteristic spiked plates along its back, remains one of the most recognizable dinosaurs in the world.

Apex was unearthed in May 2022 on private land owned by paleontologist Jason Cooper near the aptly named town of Dinosaur, Colorado. Sotheby’s worked closely with Cooper throughout the entire process, meticulously documenting the discovery, excavation, restoration, preparation, and mounting of the skeleton. The collaboration ensured that every step of Apex’s journey from fossil to auction block was thoroughly recorded.

The sale of Apex follows a growing trend in the auctioning of dinosaur fossils, which has seen a surge in recent years. However, it also comes in the wake of controversy. In 2022, Christie’s was forced to withdraw a Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton from auction in Hong Kong due to questions regarding its authenticity. 

The name "Apex" reflects the skeleton's prominence within the stegosaurus family, with between 79 and 85 percent of the fossil intact – a remarkable figure considering that a 50 percent intact fossil is typically regarded as a significant find. Sotheby’s also noted that Apex had lived long enough to exhibit signs of arthritis, providing further insights into the life and times of this prehistoric giant.

While stegosaurus skeletons can be found on display in museums around the globe, Apex stands out for its size. It is 30 percent larger than Sophie, the most complete stegosaurus currently on public display at the Natural History Museum in London.

Wednesday's auction not only set a new benchmark for the sale of dinosaur fossils but also underscored the growing fascination and market for these ancient relics. As Apex finds its new home, the scientific community and the public alike will be eager to see where this storied skeleton will next be on display.