On Wednesday, July 17, 2024, a remarkable auction was held at Sotheby’s auction house in New York, attracting the attention of paleontology enthusiasts and collectors from around the world. Among the items up for sale was an impressive stegosaurus skeleton named “Apex,” which is considered the most beautifully preserved specimen ever to hit the market. Auction of stegosaurus skeleton attracted attention of many paleontology enthusiasts, investors and collectors.
Auction of stegosaurus skeleton – an unusual event at Sotheby’s
In addition to the “Apex,” the auction catalog included other unique artifacts, such as a megalodon tooth, an egg of Aepyornis Maximus (known as the elephant bird) and numerous meteorite fragments. The auction included a total of 54 items, which came from various eras and places on Earth, from the Jurassic period to the Miocene. However, it was the auction of the stegosaurus skeleton that attracted the most attention.
Price of stegosaurus “Apex”
The “Apex” skeleton is a monumental exhibit that measures about 11 feet high and nearly 27 feet long. Its price was estimated at $4,000,000 – $6,000,000, and the current bid was $3,500,000. “Apex” came from the Morrison Formation in Moffat County, Colorado, USA, and was excavated on private property in 2022-2023. The skeleton is nearly complete.
It has 254 bone parts (out of a total of about 319), and missing parts were filled in with 3D printed replicas.
Is it worth investing in dinosaur skeletons?
Investment in dinosaur skeletons and fossil fragments is a debatable topic. For collectors and museums, owning such an exhibit can be a priceless attraction and a source of education. However, for the average investor, purchasing such items can be risky due to the high cost of purchase, preservation and transportation. Additionally, the fossil market is niche and unpredictable. It can affect the value of an investment in the future. However, during the auction of the stegosaurus skeleton, there were many willing buyers.
Other interesting exhibits
The Sotheby’s auction was also open to bidding:
- Megalodon tooth – Prices for these impressive fossils ranged from $3,000 to $6,000.
- Aepyornis Maximus egg – The estimated price was $30,000-50,000.
- Meteorite fragments – Including, among others, a complete Seymchan meteorite plate (estimated at $25,000 – $35,000) and a Brahin meteorite plate (estimated at $3,000 – $5,000).
The auction of the stegosaurus skeleton at Sotheby’s was an extraordinary opportunity to acquire exceptional pieces of natural history. And treasures were plentiful. A meteorite fragment or a megalodon tooth on a desk is not only a sign of passion, but also a symbol of prestige. Although investing in dinosaur skeletons may be seen as a fad, for many collectors it represents an invaluable opportunity to own unique artifacts. “Apex” stegosaurus was the star of this auction, which attracted attention and may have reached a record price.
Luxury News Editor
Joanna Baran
source: sothebys.com
Fitma: Sotheby’s
