Record $50m: T. rex fossil tops auction charts

Sotheby's auction in New York saw a 67‑million‑year‑old T. rex, nicknamed "Gus", fetch a staggering £37.4 million ($50.1 million). The nearly 12‑foot specimen, with 60% of its bones preserved, is among the most complete fossils discovered.

The sale surpassed the previous stegosaurus record and marks the first auction to cross the $50 million threshold, igniting speculation about a new era of fossil collecting by the ultra‑rich.

The winning bidder remains undisclosed. Gus was found on a remote South Dakota ranch in 2021 and was excavated over three summers, followed by three years of lab reconstruction.

"This result has been years in the making," said Cassandra Hatton, Sotheby's worldwide head of science and natural history. "Gus is not only an exceptional find, but a specimen that has been excavated, documented, prepared, and cared for with real excellence."

The bones revealed a skull with bite marks and healed ribs, suggesting injuries from scavenging or combat. While the buyer is not yet known, the T. rex may eventually be loaned to a museum similar to how the stegosaurus Apex was loaned to the American Natural History Museum for four years.

With this unprecedented sale, the fossil trade enters a new phase, blending scientific significance with the appetite of affluent collectors.