‘Gus’ the T. rex fetches record US$50.1 million at US auction
A T. rex skeleton named 'Gus' sold for a record US$50.1 million at a Sotheby's auction in New York. The sale has sparked debate among paleontologists regarding the privatization of significant scientific fossils.
Why it matters
The record-breaking sale highlights the growing commercialization of natural history and the tension between private ownership and scientific preservation.
A Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton nicknamed “Gus” sold on Tuesday for US$50.1 million at Sotheby’s in New York, making it the most valuable dinosaur fossil bought at auction, after a 10-minute battle between seven bidders.
The article presents the auction results neutrally while acknowledging the controversy surrounding the private sale of fossils.
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