Most Expensive Fossil in the World: Dinosaur Skeleton Sold for $45 Million

In 2022, archaeologists made an astonishing discovery when they found a well-preserved skeleton of a Stegosaurus in the state of Colorado.

Affectionately nicknamed "Apex," the skeleton measured approximately six meters long and 3.5 meters high.

According to experts, the 150-million-year-old skeleton is considered to be "incredibly well preserved."

Now, the dinosaur skeleton has once again made headlines. During a recent auction in New York, Apex was sold for a whopping $45 million, setting a new record for the most expensive fossil ever sold.

The Sale

As reported by Die Presse, the Stegosaurus skeleton was auctioned for $44.6 million (approx. 40 million euros) by Sotheby's in New York.

The auction saw a fierce fifteen-minute bidding war among seven interested parties, with an anonymous bidder ultimately winning. The auction house had initially estimated the skeleton would fetch up to $6 million.

The buyer intends to lend the skeleton to an American museum institution.

In recent years, dinosaur skeletons and parts of them have fetched millions of dollars at auctions.

Despite the high prices and public interest, many experts are critical of auctioning scientifically valuable skeletons. They argue that such sales can limit scientific access and study, potentially hindering research and education.