Stegosaurus skeleton, 'Apex', sets new record with $44.6m sale at auction

The Stegosaurus skeleton named "Apex" has set a new auction record by selling for an astounding $44.6 million. The sale took place at Sotheby’s in New York and was acquired by an anonymous bidder on Wednesday.

The 150-million-year-old is the largest Stegosaurus skeleton ever found, measuring 11 feet tall and 27 feet long; it was discovered in Colorado in 2022.

The sale price has surpassed the presale price of $4-6 million as well as shattered the previous record of $31.8 million set by Tyrannosaurus rex, also called Stan, in 2020.

Moreover, Cassandra Hatton, who heads Sotheby's science-related business, referred Apex to a ‘colouring book of dinosaur’. This statement was made because of its well-preserved features and the pointy plates at its back.

"Apex has now taken its place in history, some 150 million years since it roamed the planet," Hatton remarked, underscoring the skeleton's historical importance.

On the contrary, some scientists criticise the idea that such fossils should be placed in museums or research centres, which more likely cannot compete in high-stake auctions.

Nonetheless, the "unknown" buyer is committed to placing this fossil Apex in the public eye.

Additionally, the name "Apex" highlights the significance of this skeleton. Usually, finding 50% of a fossil is a big deal. However, Apex carries fossils ranging from 79% to 85%.