A $45M Stegosaurus stuns New York as it joins the ranks of the most expensive dinosaurs ever sold in history. Let’s Take A Look

A Stegosaurus specimen that became the most expensive dinosaur fossil ever sold earlier this year is now on display at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. But it is not the only dinosaur fossil to have sold for staggering amounts.

The 150-million-year-old Stegosaurus skeleton, known as Apex, sold for $44.6 million at an auction hosted by Sotheby’s. Mounted in a defensive pose, with its spiked tail raised in the air, the dinosaur stands around 11.5 feet tall and measures roughly 27 feet in length.

The extraordinary specimen, thought to be one of the largest and most complete Stegosaurus skeletons ever found, was discovered by commercial paleontologist Jason Cooper in 2022 on his property just outside the town of Dinosaur, Colorado.

Stegosaurus is a type of large, herbivorous dinosaur from the Late Jurassic period, known for its distinctive double row of kite-shaped plates along its back and spiked tail. Apex is particularly well-preserved example of these dinosaurs, with the skeleton featuring more than 254 bone elements out of a total of around 320. Missing bones have been filled in using 3D-printed and sculpted components.

The “Apex” Stegosaurus specimen sold for almost $45 million at a Sotheby’s auction. The skeleton is the most expensive dinosaur fossil ever sold. Matthew Sherman/Sotheby’s

The fossil skeleton exceeded its pre-sale low estimate by more than 11 times at auction, which took place in New York in July. Seven bidders went toe to toe trying to secure the purchase. The specimen was eventually sold to billionaire hedge fund manager Kenneth C. Griffin, who has since loaned the fossil to the natural history museum.

The sale surpassed the previous record for a dinosaur fossil sale by some distance. Below are some of the other most valuable specimens ever sold.