Fossil of Nanotyrannus, cousin of T. rex, sells at auction for $47-million
A rare Nanotyrannus skeleton, nicknamed 'Jodi,' sold at a Sotheby's auction for $47.3 million, significantly exceeding its initial estimate. The fossil is considered one of the most complete specimens of its kind and is now the second-most expensive dinosaur skeleton ever sold.
Why it matters
The record-breaking sale highlights the booming market for high-end natural history collectibles and the ongoing debate regarding the commercialization of scientific fossils.
Jodi, a mounted Nanotyrannus skeleton of the Cretaceous Period, approximately 67 million years ago, is displayed at Sotheby's on Oct. 13 in New York. Yuki Iwamura/The Associated Press
A dinosaur that looks like a miniature T. rex is now one of the world’s most expensive fossils.
The rare skeleton of a Nanotyrannus – recently confirmed to be a distant cousin of Tyrannosaurus rex, not just a young specimen – sold for US$47.3-million to a mystery buyer at auction in New York City on Tuesday, according to Sotheby’s. The auction house had expected it to fetch anywhere from US$6 to US$9-million.
The blockbuster price tag for “Jodi,” as the skeleton is nicknamed, makes it the second-priciest set of dinosaur bones ever sold. This summer, a T. rex fossil known as “Gus” sold for a record US$50.1-million at Sotheby’s.
Headlinne story · 4 newsrooms
Rare Nanotyrannus Skeleton Fetches Millions at New York Auction
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