The Tyrannosaurus rex (T-rex) fossil known as Gus was sold for US$50.1 million (RM203.8 million) at a Sotheby’s auction on Sunday.
According to AFP, the fossil was sold after a bidding session lasting about 10 minutes involving seven bidders. The winning buyer’s identity was not disclosed.
Gus is one of the world’s most complete T-rex skeletons, with 183 fossil bones. It was discovered on a cattle ranch in South Dakota in 2021. The skeleton measures 11.6 metres long and is estimated to contain 63% of its original structure, making it one of the largest T-rex specimens ever found.
Excavation of the fossil took three years, from 2021 to 2023, because the ground could only be excavated during warmer weather. Researchers then spent nearly another three years cleaning, studying and assembling the skeleton in a laboratory before it was displayed and auctioned.
The dinosaur is believed to have lived between 72 million and 66 million years ago, during a period of warm climate, high sea levels and extensive coastal plains that were frequently flooded.
The sale reflects the growing market value of dinosaur fossils but has also drawn criticism from palaeontologists, who are concerned that scientifically important specimens could end up in private collections.
The previous record for the most expensive fossil sold at auction was held by the Apex Stegosaurus skeleton, which was sold for US$44.6 million (RM181.43 million) in 2024 to hedge fund billionaire Ken Griffin.
Sotheby’s Head of Science and Natural History, Cassandra Hatton, said the United States is the only country where fossils like these are recognised as private property, allowing landowners to legally sell them.
