T rex fossil ‘Gus’ sells for $50.1m at New York auction, setting new record

Key Points:

• A fossilized Tyrannosaurus rex named Gus sold at Sotheby’s New York auction for $50.1 million, setting a new record for the most valuable dinosaur fossil sold at auction, far exceeding the pre-sale estimate of $20-30 million.
• Gus is one of the largest and most complete T. rex skeletons ever found, excavated in South Dakota, and is approximately 67 million years old, standing 3.8 meters tall with 183 fossil bone elements recovered.
• The skeleton shows signs of injuries and bite marks, providing insights into the life of the dinosaur, but its sale to a private bidder has sparked concerns among paleontologists about limiting scientific research access.
• Experts warn that the increasing commercialization and high auction prices of fossils risk placing important specimens out of reach for museums and researchers, potentially hindering paleontological studies.
• While legal in the US due to landowner rights, the sale raises ethical questions, especially since some countries consider fossils state property, highlighting differing international approaches to fossil ownership and research access.