BY ALBERT CHEN
The stegosaurus known as “Apex” has set a new record, selling for $44.6 million at Sotheby’s auction in New York on July 17, 2024, making it the most valuable fossil ever sold. This significant sale exceeded its pre-sale low estimate by over 11 times and concluded with applause after 15 minutes of bidding.
Seven bidders competed for “Apex” during the live auction, with an anonymous buyer ultimately securing the fossil. The buyer intends to explore loaning the specimen to a U.S. institution, stating, “Apex was born in America and is going to stay in America!”
“Apex was born in America and is going to stay in America!”
Cassandra Hatton, Sotheby’s Global Head of Science & Popular Culture, expressed her excitement about the sale: “’Apex’ lived up to its name today, inspiring bidders globally to become the most valuable fossil ever sold at auction. This sale has been years in the making, and at every turn, we have worked closely with Jason Cooper, from the moment of its discovery in Dinosaur, Colorado, to its sale in New York. I am thrilled that such an important specimen has now taken its place in history, some 150 million years since it roamed the planet. This remarkable result underscores our unwavering commitment to preserving these ancient treasures.”
Discovered in 2022 by commercial paleontologist Jason Cooper on his property in Dinosaur, Colorado, “Apex” measures 11 feet tall and 27 feet long from nose to tail. The specimen is notable for its completeness, with 254 fossil bone elements out of an approximate total of 319.
This large, robust adult stegosaurus shows evidence of arthritis, indicating it lived to an advanced age, and exhibits a number of interesting pathologies without signs of combat-related injuries or post-mortem scavenging.
The bones are preserved in exquisite detail, including seldom-preserved skin impressions, fragile cervical dermal plates, and throat armor. The fossilization is superb, with the bone being thoroughly mineralized, dense, and heavy, with surface coloration consistent with fossils from the Morrison Formation in Colorado.
“Apex” was the highlight of Sotheby’s Natural History Auction, which included fossils, meteorites, minerals, gogottes, and, for the first time, paleolithic tools. The sale achieved a total of $45.8 million, the highest ever for a Natural History auction, far surpassing its pre-sale estimate of $4.9 – $7.4 million.
This event follows a tradition of significant dinosaur sales at Sotheby’s, with “Apex” surpassing previous records set by “Sue” the T. rex, sold for $8.4 million in 1997, and “Stan,” sold for $31.8 million in 2020 at Christie’s.
The discovery and sale of “Apex” represent a landmark moment in paleontology and the auction world, showcasing the enduring fascination and value of these ancient treasures.
Established in 1744, Sotheby’s is the world’s premier destination for art and luxury. Sotheby’s promotes access to and ownership of exceptional art and luxury objects through auctions and buy-now channels, including private sales, e-commerce, and retail. Our trusted global marketplace is supported by an industry-leading technology platform and a network of specialists spanning 40 countries and 70 categories.
These categories include Contemporary Art, Modern and Impressionist Art, Old Masters, Chinese Works of Art, Jewelry, Watches, Wine and Spirits, and Design, as well as collectible cars and real estate. Sotheby’s believes in the transformative power of art and culture and is committed to making our industries more inclusive, sustainable, and collaborative.
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