Record-Breaking Sale of Apex, the Largest Stegosaurus Skeleton
A remarkable fossil, nicknamed Apex, has set a new world record at auction, fetching a staggering $44.6 million in New York. This Stegosaurus skeleton, estimated to be around 150 million years old, was sold by Sotheby's on Wednesday, surpassing all expectations. The auction house had initially estimated its value between $4 and $6 million.
Unearthing and Preservation of Apex
Discovered in May 2022 in Colorado, Apex was found in an exceptional state of preservation on the private land of a renowned paleontologist, Jason Cooper. The skeleton, which stands 3.3 meters high and 6 meters long, is one of the most complete ever found, comprising 254 bone fossils out of a total of 319. Sotheby's worked closely with Cooper from the beginning to ensure transparency in the sale process.
Apex Compared to Other Famous Fossils
Apex's sale broke the previous record for a fossil sold at auction, which was held by a T-Rex skeleton named Stan, sold for $31.8 million in 2020. Apex is also 30% larger than Sophie, another nearly complete Stegosaurus skeleton displayed at the Natural History Museum in London. The auction of Apex lasted over 15 minutes, drawing remote bidders and resulting in applause when the final bid was announced. The identity of the buyer remains undisclosed.
- The Stegosaurus, a herbivorous dinosaur from the Jurassic period, is known for its distinctive kite-shaped plates along its back and spike-tipped tail. These features have made it one of the most recognizable dinosaurs.
- The Morrison Formation, where Apex was found, is a significant stretch of sedimentary rock that spans across parts of 13 U.S. states, known for yielding numerous dinosaur fossils.
- Sotheby's highlighted that the Apex fossil showed signs of arthritis, suggesting that the dinosaur lived to an old age. The auction house emphasized the importance of this find, with Cassandra Hatton, Sotheby's global head of science and popular culture, noting that Apex is one of the finest fossils of its kind ever unearthed.
