The most complete and largest stegosaurus fossil ever discovered, known as “Apex,” sold for an astonishing $44.6 million at Sotheby’s in New York on Wednesday. This sale has set a new record for the highest price ever paid for a fossil at auction.
The sale of Apex is significant for several reasons. First, it has become the “most valuable fossil ever sold at auction,” according to Sotheby’s. Initially expected to fetch between $4 million and $6 million, Apex far surpassed these estimates, highlighting the increasing value and interest in prehistoric fossils. This sale shattered the previous record of $31.8 million, set in 2020 by the sale of a Tyrannosaurus rex fossil. The growing demand for such fossils has led to concerns among paleontologists that scientists could be priced out of the market. This trend, noted by the New York Times, raises questions about the accessibility of important scientific specimens for research and public display.
Apex measures approximately 11 feet tall and 27 feet long, making it an impressive specimen of the stegosaurus species. Discovered in 2022 on privately owned land in Moffat County, Colorado, near the aptly-named town of Dinosaur, the fossil’s quality is exceptional. According to Cassandra Hatton, Sotheby’s senior vice president and global head of science and popular culture, even impressions of the dinosaur’s skin have been preserved, adding to its scientific and aesthetic value.
Ken Griffin, the founder and CEO of hedge fund Citadel, purchased Apex with the intention of loaning it to a U.S. museum. As reported by the Wall Street Journal, Griffin stated, “Apex was born in America and is going to stay in America.” This decision ensures that the fossil will be accessible to the public and researchers, maintaining its educational and scientific importance.
The sale of Apex for $44.6 million at Sotheby’s marks a historic moment in the auction world and underscores the soaring demand for dinosaur fossils. While this trend brings excitement and attention to paleontology, it also poses challenges for the scientific community in terms of access and affordability. As Apex finds its way to a museum, it will continue to inspire and educate, highlighting the enduring fascination with the prehistoric past.