Mini T. Rex Fossil Sells for $47.3 Million at New York Auction

A dinosaur skeleton resembling a miniature Tyrannosaurus rex has sold for $47.3 million at a Sotheby's auction in New York City, far surpassing its estimated value. The fossil, nicknamed “Jodi,” was confirmed as a Nanotyrannus, a distinct genus and a distant cousin of T. rex, rather than a juvenile specimen.

The sale on Tuesday drew bids from online participants and phone bidders, with the anonymous buyer ultimately securing the specimen for more than five times the projected $6 to $9 million. This price point makes “Jodi” the second-most expensive dinosaur fossil ever sold, trailing only a T. rex fossil named “Gus” which fetched $50.1 million earlier this year.

“Jodi” stands 6.5 feet tall and measures nearly 20 feet long, with approximately 70% of its skeleton intact. The Nanotyrannus coexisted with T. rex during the Cretaceous period, approximately 67 million years ago. It is distinguished from T. rex by its relatively longer forelimbs, larger hand claws, and more slender, blade-like teeth.

This particular skeleton is one of only three known Nanotyrannus specimens. It was discovered in 2019 by Montana rancher Jodi Pierson, after whom the fossil is named. The excavation and preparation of the specimen were featured in the 2020 Discovery Channel series “Dino Hunters.”

Cassandra Hatton, Sotheby's head of science and natural history, acknowledged the efforts of the professional fossil hunters involved in the discovery and excavation. However, the sale has also drawn criticism from some scientists who advocate for such significant fossils to be housed in museums or public institutions for research and public viewing. Debate among paleontologists regarding whether Nanotyrannus was a distinct species or a juvenile T. rex persisted for decades until research published last year concluded it was indeed a separate genus.