Apex, the Largest and Most Complete Stegosaurus Skeleton, Breaks Auction Records
In a groundbreaking auction at Sotheby’s New York, the largest and most complete stegosaurus skeleton ever found, nicknamed “Apex,” was sold for an astounding $59.8 million. The fossil, estimated to be 150 million years old, shattered previous auction records, surpassing the $31.8 million fetched by a Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton in 2020.
Apex, measuring 11 feet tall and 27 feet long, includes 254 fossilized bones, making it one of the most complete dinosaur skeletons discovered. Despite an initial estimated price range of $4 million to $6 million, fierce bidding quickly inflated the price as telephone bidders competed for the rare find. The sale was a historic moment in the world of fossil auctions, with the auctioneer’s excitement palpable as the price skyrocketed.
The skeleton was unearthed in May 2022 by paleontologist Jason Cooper on private land. Notably, signs of arthritis in the fossil suggest Apex lived to an advanced age, providing additional insights into the dinosaur’s life.
The auction follows a growing trend of selling dinosaur fossils, with Apex being 30% larger than the previous record-holder, “Sophie,” on display at the Natural History Museum in London. The sale highlights the increasing value and interest in dinosaur remains, which continue to captivate collectors and paleontologists alike.
