Sotheby's Puts 67-Million-Year-Old T. Rex Up for $30 Million, Stirring Science Fears
Updated
Updated · WIRED · Jul 14
Sotheby's Puts 67-Million-Year-Old T. Rex Up for $30 Million, Stirring Science Fears
3 articles · Updated · WIRED · Jul 14
Summary
$30 million is Sotheby’s estimate for Gus, a 67-million-year-old T. rex skeleton billed as one of the largest and most complete ever found.
The 183-bone specimen is about 61% complete, and paleontologists say that quality makes it scientifically significant if it remains accessible for future study.
Researchers warn a private sale could remove Gus from public repositories, where permanent access is required for reproducible science and publication in major journals.
Those concerns have grown as ultrarich buyers dominate fossil auctions: Sotheby’s sold Apex the Stegosaurus for $44.6 million in 2024 and a juvenile Ceratosaurus for $30.5 million last year.
Scientists also dispute some auction-house marketing claims about Gus—especially alleged bite marks—and are urging any buyer to place the fossil in a museum rather than a private collection.
When a T. rex sells for millions, is priceless scientific knowledge being locked away forever?
Can technology and new laws ensure public access to fossils discovered on private land?
The $30 Million Auction of "Gus": How a T. rex Skeleton Is Reshaping Fossil Ownership and Ethics
Overview
The T. rex fossil "Gus" is a 67-million-year-old specimen discovered in South Dakota in 2021. Exceptionally preserved, large, and complete, "Gus" stands over 12 feet tall and includes 183 bone elements, making it one of the most complete T. rex fossils ever found. Its remarkable features, such as a well-preserved skull, reconstructed pelvis, and rare furcula, have attracted significant attention. These outstanding attributes have positioned "Gus" as a highlight of the upcoming Sotheby’s auction, reflecting both its scientific importance and the growing interest in rare, high-quality dinosaur fossils.