T Rex ‘Gus’ Sells for Record $50.1 M at Auction
Collected Photo
A legendary 67-million-year-old Tyrannosaurus rex smashed global records on Tuesday after selling for a staggering $50.1 million (£37.4 million) at a Sotheby’s auction. This sale establishes the predator as the most expensive dinosaur in history.
The specimen, famously known as “Gus,” stands over 12 feet tall. Sotheby’s experts describe it as one of the “most complete” T rex fossils ever discovered, as researchers recovered more than 60% of its original bones. The identity of the winning bidder remains confidential.
Discovery of the fossil occurred in 2021 on a secluded ranch in South Dakota. Cassandra Hatton, Sotheby’s worldwide head of science and natural history, praised the achievement. “This result has been years in the making,” Hatton remarked.
“Gus is not only an exceptional find, but a specimen that’s been excavated, documented, prepared, and cared for with real excellence.”
This auction marks the first time a fossil has surpassed the $50 million milestone, overtaking the previous record set by a stegosaurus in 2024. Hatton noted that the high price reflects the immense resources and time invested in the specimen’s recovery.
However, some scientists told the BBC that the sale could indicate a new trend of ultra-wealthy individuals dominating fossil collection.
The recovery process involved three years of summer excavations from 2021 to 2023, followed by another three years of meticulous lab work to reconstruct the skeleton.
This detailed analysis uncovered bite marks on the skull and healed ribs, suggesting the dinosaur survived intense battles or scavenging encounters during its life.
While the public awaits the buyer’s reveal, history offers hope for museum-goers. Billionaire Kenneth Griffin, who purchased the previous record-holder - a stegosaurus named Apex - loaned that specimen to the American Natural History Museum for a four-year period. Experts suggest Gus may similarly appear in a public museum soon.
Source: BBC (adapted)
