Record-breaking dinosaur fossil of a Juvenile Ceratosaur sold at Sotheby's for an astounding $30.5 million, making it the third most expensive dinosaur discovery at auction.
Ceratosaurus Fossil Sells for Record-Breaking $30.5 Million at Sotheby's Auction
In a historic event, a unique juvenile Ceratosaurus fossil was sold at Sotheby's natural history sale on July 16, fetching an astounding $30.5 million, including fees. This sale marked the third-highest price ever paid for a dinosaur at auction.
Discovered in Wyoming's Bone Cabin Quarry, the fossil is one of only four known specimens and is remarkable for its preservation and scientific value. The skull of the fossil is remarkably complete and fully articulated, making it a prized possession for any dinosaur enthusiast.
The Ceratosaurus fossil was initially purchased by American finance tycoon Ken Griffin. After his acquisition, Griffin has generously loaned the specimen to the American Museum of Natural History, where it is currently on long-term public display.
The sale of the Ceratosaurus fossil prompted a six-minute bidding war between six eager bidders, demonstrating the high demand for such rare and valuable fossils.
Other notable sales at the auction included a virtually complete Skull of a Pachycephalosaurus, which sold for $1.758 million, including fees, and the largest piece of Mars on earth, the Martian Meteorite - NWA 16788, which set a new world record for the most valuable meteorite ever sold at auction, fetching $5.3 million with fees.
Interestingly, all four of the top lots in the sale accepted cryptocurrency payments. This move towards digital currency reflects the evolving nature of the auction market and the growing interest in cryptocurrencies.
Prior to the auction, the fossil was exhibited unmounted at the Museum of Ancient Life in Utah. Sisson's company, responsible for its mounting, brought the fossil to Sotheby's for the auction. The identity of the unnamed buyer of the Ceratosaurus remains undisclosed, but it is reported that they intend to loan the fossil to an institution for public viewing.
In the world of dinosaur auctions, Sotheby's has a rich history. In 1997, the auction house sold the first-ever dinosaur at auction, a T. rex named "Sue," for $8.4 million. More recently, in 2022, Sotheby's sold a Gorgosaurus skeleton for $6.1 million.
The Ceratosaurus roamed the early earth approximately 154 million-149 million years ago, making it a fascinating glimpse into the prehistoric world. The sale of this remarkable fossil not only underscores the enduring fascination with dinosaurs but also highlights the growing importance of digital currencies in the auction market.
- The record-breaking sale of a Ceratosaurus fossil at Sotheby's auction has demonstrated the high demand for rare and valuable dinosaur fossils.
- The American Museum of Natural History currently houses the Ceratosaurus fossil, which was generously loaned by its owner, American finance tycoon Ken Griffin.
- Sotheby's has a rich history in the world of dinosaur auctions, having previously sold the first-ever dinosaur at auction in 1997.
- Other notable sales at the auction included a virtually complete Skull of a Pachycephalosaurus and the largest piece of Mars on earth, the Martian Meteorite - NWA 16788, which set a new world record.
- All four of the top lots in the sale accepted cryptocurrency payments, reflecting the evolving nature of the auction market and the growing interest in cryptocurrencies.
- Following the auction, the unnamed buyer of the Ceratosaurus fossil is reported to intend to loan the fossil to an institution for public viewing, contributing to lifestyle and education-and-self-development.
- The sale of the Ceratosaurus fossil, which roamed the earth approximately 154 million-149 million years ago, underscores the enduring fascination with dinosaurs while providing a fascinating glimpse into the prehistoric world, further interlinking general-news, science, and entertainment.
