NEW YORK — A Tyrannosaurus rex fossil, among the largest and most complete ever found, sold for a record $50.1 million at Sotheby’s on Tuesday. This 67-million-year-old fossil, nicknamed “Gus,” surpassed the previous highest sale for dinosaur bones — a nearly complete stegosaurus sold for almost $45 million in 2024.
The previous record was held by “Stan,” another T. rex skeleton, which sold for close to $32 million in 2020.
“Gus is not only an exceptional find, but a specimen that’s been excavated, documented, prepared, and cared for with real excellence,” said Cassandra Hatton, Sotheby’s vice chair following the sale. She emphasized the market’s keen interest in well-preserved and meticulously handled specimens.
Why the Bidding for ‘Gus’ Was Intense
Standing upright with an extended tail and raised right foot, “Gus” is an adult dinosaur specimen measuring about 12 ½ feet tall and 38 feet long. The fossil is approximately 61% complete and includes an “exceptionally preserved” skull, described by Sotheby’s, with a gaping jaw of powerful teeth. It also has two “well represented” feet and several rarely found bones, such as the furcula or wishbone.
“Gus” was discovered in 2021 on a ranch in South Dakota and was named after the property owner, Gary Licking, who passed away during the fossil’s extensive excavation and preparation.
The auction saw a total of seven bidders, with the winning bid coming from an anonymous participant over the phone. Bidders competed intensely for about ten minutes, surpassing the pre-sale estimate of $20 to $30 million. Auctioneer Phyllis Kao encouraged bidders by saying, “Try a bigger bite; it’s a T. rex, after all.”
Scientific Community’s Interest
The Society of Vertebrate Paleontology stressed the importance of publicly displaying such significant fossils. Their hope is for “Gus” to be accessible for scientific research and public viewing in museums. “Our hope is that the new owner recognizes the extraordinary scientific and educational value of Gus the T. rex,” said Kristi Curry Rogers, the society’s president-elect. She urged the donation of the specimen to a natural history museum.
Earlier, “Apex,” the stegosaurus, was placed on long-term loan to the American Museum of Natural History in New York. “Sue” the T. rex has found a home at the Field Museum in Chicago, while “Stan” is displayed at the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, engaged in a dramatic pose over a triceratops fossil.
A Cretaceous King in Pop Culture
The Tyrannosaurus rex, known as the “King of the Tyrant Lizards,” was a dominant predator in the late Cretaceous period. It is famous for its powerful jaws and distinctive short arms, becoming iconic in popular culture through children’s shows like Barney and movies such as “Jurassic Park.” The grand Titan soared over the western part of North America when high sea levels and warm climates created lush environments.