Want to own a real T. rex? It could cost you $30 million
A rare and nearly complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton named 'Gus' is set to be auctioned at Sotheby's with an estimated value of up to $30 million. The fossil was discovered on private land in South Dakota and represents a significant specimen for paleontological study.
Why it matters
The sale of high-profile fossils to private collectors often sparks debate within the scientific community regarding the accessibility of specimens for public research.
If you ever wanted to own an actual T. rex and not just a toy, you now have a chance. But it's going to cost you some bones. Millions of them.
The Tyrannosaurus rex fossil known as "Gus" will go up for auction Tuesday morning at Sotheby's New York City office. The starting bid for the dinosaur is $19 million and the auction house estimates it could sell for $20 to $30 million.
Gus was found in Harding County, S.D., on private land in 2021, according to Sotheby's. The T. rex skeleton, which is 38 feet long and 12 and half feet tall, is believed to be from the late Cretaceous period from about 67 million years ago.
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