Mini T. Rex Fossil Fetches $47.3 Million at New York Auction
The Nanotyrannus skeleton, known as 'Jodi,' sold for more than five times its expected price, becoming the second most expensive dinosaur fossil ever sold.
A dinosaur skeleton resembling a miniature Tyrannosaurus rex has sold for $47.3 million at auction in New York City, making it the second-most expensive dinosaur fossil ever to be sold. The skeleton, nicknamed "Jodi," was confirmed as a Nanotyrannus, a distinct genus of dinosaur and a distant relative of the T. rex.
The skeleton sold for significantly more than its estimated price of $6 million to $9 million, according to Sotheby's, where the auction took place on Tuesday. The anonymous buyer outbid five other prospective buyers through online and phone participation in a sale that lasted approximately 12 minutes. This sale places "Jodi" behind only the "Gus" T. rex fossil, which sold for a record $50.1 million earlier this year.
The Nanotyrannus is estimated to be about half the length of an adult T. rex and coexisted with its larger cousin during the late Cretaceous period, approximately 67 million years ago. It is characterized by relatively longer forelimbs, larger hand claws, and more slender, blade-like teeth compared to the T. rex.
"Jodi," which stands 6.5 feet tall and stretches nearly 20 feet long, is considered nearly 70% complete and is one of only three known Nanotyrannus skeletons. It was discovered on the land of Montana rancher Jodi Pierson in 2019, and its excavation and preparation were featured in the Discovery Channel series "Dino Hunters."
Sotheby's commended the team of fossil hunters for their work in preserving the specimen. "Their commitment to understanding and preserving this remarkable specimen has helped bring us to this moment, a testament to the fact that we can all make major contributions to science," stated Cassandra Hatton, Sotheby's head of science and natural history.
However, the sale of such significant fossils to private collectors has drawn criticism from some scientists who argue that these specimens should be available for public viewing and scientific study in museums. The scientific community has debated for decades whether Nanotyrannus was a distinct species or simply a juvenile T. rex, a debate that research published last year concluded in favor of it being a separate genus.