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The buyer of a record-setting stegosaurus skeleton has said it is going to ‘stay in America’, with the US$44.6m ‘Apex’ thought to be making its way to a US institution in the near future
Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 19 Jul 2024
The sale price for the 11ft dinosaur fossil has vastly outstripped pre-auction estimates Credit: Sotheby’s
A stegosaurus skeleton that just became the highest paid-for fossil in history could be making its way to an American museum.
Nicknamed ‘Apex’ the 11ft (3.4m) tall and 27ft (8.3m) long specimen is among the most complete dinosaur skeletons ever discovered.
Such is its quality, that the stegosaurus fetched a final fee of US$44.6m (€40.1m, £34m) following an auction at Sotheby’s in New York City, far exceeding its estimate, which was ranged at US$4m to US$6m.
The piece was purchased by hedge fund billionaire Ken Griffin, who hinted that it could be loaned to a US institution.
“Apex was born in America and is going to stay in America,” said Griffin, according to reports, following a purchase of a male tyrannosaurus by the government of Abu Dhabi for US$32m (€29.3m, £29.3m),
Griffin has a history with dinosaurs, dating back to 2017 when he donated US$16.5m to support the acquisition of a 122-foot-long (37.2m) tyrannosaurus rex for Chicago’s Field Museum.
"Apex lived up to its name today, inspiring bidders globally to become the most valuable fossil ever sold at auction,” said Cassandra Hatton, Sotheby's global head of science and popular culture.
“I am thrilled that such an important specimen has now taken its place in history, some 150 million years since it roamed the planet. This remarkable result underscores our unwavering commitment to preserving these ancient treasures.”
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