Apex: A Remarkable Discovery
Apex, aged around 150 million years, stands 11 feet tall and 27 feet long. Composed of 254 fossilized bones out of a total of 319, it is one of the most complete stegosaurus skeletons ever discovered. The skeleton was found in May 2022 on the private land of renowned paleontologist Jason Cooper, who collaborated closely with Sotheby’s throughout the process.
Comparisons and Controversies
The previous auction record for a dinosaur skeleton was held by “Stan,” a T-Rex, which sold for $31.8 million in 2020. Apex’s sale not only shattered this record but also highlighted the growing interest and value placed on dinosaur fossils. Notably, Apex is 30% larger than “Sophie,” the most complete stegosaurus currently on public display at the Natural History Museum in London.
Ensuring Authenticity and Transparency
Sotheby’s emphasized the transparency of the sale, reassuring potential buyers of the skeleton’s authenticity. This stands in contrast to an incident in 2022 when Christie’s had to withdraw a T-Rex skeleton from auction in Hong Kong due to authenticity concerns. Apex’s sale, managed with meticulous care, ensures that it is a legitimate and scientifically valuable specimen.
The Future of Apex
While the identity of the buyer remains undisclosed, there is potential for Apex to be loaned to a public institution for display, allowing the public to appreciate this extraordinary piece of natural history. The sale of Apex not only marks a significant moment in paleontology but also underscores the immense interest and value attributed to such rare and remarkable discoveries.
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