‘Gus’ the T. rex fetches record US$50.1 million at US auction

A Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton, nicknamed "Gus," sold for US$50.1 million at Sotheby's in New York on Tuesday. This sale marks the highest price ever paid for a dinosaur fossil at auction, following a ten-minute bidding war involving seven participants. "Gus" is recognized as one of the most complete T. rex skeletons globally, comprising 183 fossilized bones. The specimen was unearthed in 2021 on a cattle ranch located in South Dakota. This ancient creature roamed the Earth approximately 72 to 66 million years ago, during a geological era defined by a warm climate, elevated sea levels, and extensive floodable coastal plains.

A 67-million-year-old Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton, affectionately named Gus, has become the most expensive dinosaur ever sold, fetching £37.4 million ($50.1 million) at a Sotheby's auction in New York. Discovered in 2021 on a South Dakota ranch, the fossil stands over 12 feet tall and is considered one of the most complete T. rex specimens ever found, with over 60% of its bones recovered. The sale, which took place on Tuesday, surpassed the previous record set by a stegosaurus in 2024 and is the first dinosaur sale to exceed the $50 million mark. The identity of the winning bidder remains undisclosed. Sotheby's noted that such sales can generate public interest in science and natural history.

A Tyrannosaurus rex fossil nicknamed Gus sold for $50.1 million at Sotheby's in New York, setting a new record for a dinosaur fossil at auction. The skeleton, excavated in South Dakota between 2021 and 2023, is considered one of the largest and most complete T-rex specimens ever found. The sale price significantly exceeded its pre-sale estimate of $20 million to $30 million. While the sale is legal, some paleontologists expressed concern that such high prices could limit scientific research by placing fossils out of reach for academic institutions. Gus, estimated to be 67 million years old, was presented as an exhibition-ready mounted skeleton.

A nearly complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton, nicknamed "Gus," is being auctioned by Sotheby's in New York with an estimated price of $20 million to $30 million. Discovered in South Dakota and excavated between 2021 and 2024, the 67-million-year-old fossil is expected to fetch a high price, potentially exceeding previous records for dinosaur fossils. Palaeontologists express concern that the increasing commercialization and high prices of dinosaur fossils are detrimental to scientific research, as fossils in private collections are inaccessible for study. While legal in the US, this trend prevents museums and universities from acquiring these specimens, hindering scientific progress and the ability to conduct repeatable research.