A stegosaurus skeleton, nicknamed Apex, has set a new auction record after fetching $44.6 million (£34 million) at Sotheby’s in New York City. Standing 11 feet (3.4 meters) tall and measuring 27 feet long from nose to tail, Apex is hailed as one of the most complete stegosaurus skeletons ever discovered, according to Sotheby’s.
The fossil was acquired by an anonymous buyer who indicated, “Apex was born in America and is going to stay in America,” hinting at a possible loan to a US institution.
Discovered by palaeontologist Jason Cooper in 2022 near Dinosaur, Colorado, Apex exceeded pre-sale estimates by over 11 times and drew bids from seven buyers during the auction.
“Sotheby’s statement highlighted, “The sale of ‘Apex’ for $44.6 million has made history as the most valuable fossil ever sold at auction.”
This auction record surpasses the previous high set in 2020 when Stan, a Tyrannosaurus Rex, sold for $31.8 million.
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