This remarkable specimen is due to be sold at auction. It also highlights the intriguing debate over the sale of dinosaur fossils.
The largest and most complete stegosaurus fossil ever discovered, known as ‘Apex’, is set to be auctioned by Sotheby’s on July 17, during their ‘Geek Week’.
Excavated on private land in Moffat County, Colorado, near the town of Dinosaur between 2022-2023, Apex measures 11 feet tall and 20 feet long and includes 247 fossil bones. Believed to be between 146 and 161 million years old, this specimen is expected to fetch between $4 million and $6 million.
Apex is considered the most complete and largest stegosaurus ever unearthed. Up until now, the record has been held by a stegosaurs affectionately called ‘Sophie’, housed at the National History Museum in London. Comparing the femurs of each specimen, Apex is 30% larger.
“Stegosaurus is one of the most universally recognisable dinosaur species whose unmistakable silhouette has been a source of fascination and wonder for generations,” explains Cassandra Hatton, Sotheby’s senior vice president and global head of science and popular culture. “Through the careful process of excavation, preparation, and installation, Apex sets a new standard for all future discoveries of this magnitude, and further reinforces the enduring appeal of stegosaurus and its vaunted status in popular culture.”
This Stegosaurus fossil shows no signs of combat or predation-related injuries but does exhibit evidence of arthritis, indicating it lived to an advanced age. Discovered in a ‘death pose,’ Apex’s remains were largely confined to one location, allowing for a relatively swift excavation.
Is it ok for dinosaurs to go under the hammer?
This isn’t the first dinosaur to be sold at auction: In 1997, Sotheby’s sold a 200-pound Tyrannosaurus rex head for $8.3 million. More recently, in 2020, a T. rex skeleton named ‘Stan’ was auctioned for a record $31.8 million by Christie’s. However, this market has not been without controversy. In 2022, Christie’s had to cancel the £20 million auction of another T. rex skeleton, ‘Shen’, due to concerns over similarities with Stan.
The auction of dinosaur skeletons to private collectors is the cause of debate within the paleontological community.
Critics argue that such sales prioritise the completeness and marketability of fossils over scientific study, potentially leading to incomplete research on the surrounding environment.
There’s also the issue of the fee commanded by private landowners, who may be tempted to grant access to the person with the largest cheque book – often not scientists. And what if private collectors restrict access to these important specimens, preventing further study and public display?
However, supporters of fossil auctions point out that it is legal to sell fossils found on private property in the US, unlike in countries such as Canada, Brazil and South Africa, where the sale and export of fossils are restricted.
Hatton also makes the point that while she didn’t know how much Cooper spent to excavate this particular specimen, similar projects have cost between $600,000 and $700,000. “There’s no public fund that finances digs for dinosaur fossils,” she states, suggesting that there should be a broader debate considering whether dinosaurs should be viewed as property at all.
Where to see Apex
Apex will be exhibited at Sotheby’s galleries in New York prior to the auction, with the exhibition being free and open to the public.
What is a stegosaurus?
Stegosaurus is the best-known member of the Thyreophoran group, which featured a distinctive dermal armour.
Fossils of this group have been found in Jurassic-Cretaceous sites across Eurasia, North America and Africa.
In the Morrison Formation, Stegosaurus species are divided into two genera: Stegosaurus and Hesperosaurus, distinguished by their dorsal plates – taller and pointed in Stegosaurus, broader and rounded in Hesperosaurus. Both have four tail spikes, but only Stegosaurus has additional throat armour. The taxonomic distinctions between these genera remain debated.
Find out more about dinosaurs
Ever wondered how were dinosaur footprints preserved?, what killed the dinosaurs? or why did dinosaurs get so big? We’ve also put together a guide to the best dinosaur documentaries to watch.