Tyrannosaurus rex most expensive dinosaur ever sold
A 67-million-year-old Tyrannosaurus rex fossil named Gus has sold for a record-breaking £37.4 million at a Sotheby's auction in New York. The sale marks the highest price ever paid for a dinosaur specimen, sparking debate among scientists regarding the impact of private fossil collecting on scientific research.
Why it matters
The record-breaking sale highlights the growing trend of high-value fossil collecting among the ultra-wealthy, which some experts fear may limit public and academic access to significant natural history specimens.
Image source, Matthew Sherman By Esme Stallard Climate and science reporter Published 22 minutes ago A 67 million-year-old Tyrannosaurus rex has been sold for £37.4m ($50.1m) at a Sotheby's auction in New York - the most ever paid for a dinosaur.
The fossil of this infamous predator stands more than 12 feet (4m) tall, and with over 60% of its bones recovered is one of "the most complete" specimens ever found, according to Sotheby's.
The winning bidder at the sale on Tuesday has not yet been disclosed.
Gus, as the T. rex has been affectionately named, was discovered in 2021 on a remote ranch in the US State of South Dakota.
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Published 3 days ago "It's really incredible to see and to have the level of public interest," said Cassandra Hatton, Sotheby's worldwide head of science and natural history.
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