A fossilized Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton, known as "Gus," was auctioned for US$ 50.1 million in an auction held in the United States, setting a new price record for fossils. This specimen, excavated between 2021 and 2023, is considered one of the most complete ever discovered.
Approximately 11.5 meters long, the "Gus" fossil was found in the American state of South Dakota. The fragments were discovered after farmer Gary "Gus" Licking, the landowner, randomly found teeth and bones, which led paleontologists to the site. The excavation revealed 183 T. Rex bones, corresponding to about 61% of the total bones of a complete skeleton, or 75-80% of the bone mass.
Sotheby's, which managed the auction, detailed that the skeleton exhibits several pathologies, including bite marks from a tyrannosaurid on the skull and post-cranial parts, indicating fights or necrophagy. Consolidated fractures were also observed in several ribs, signs of injuries sustained during the animal's life. The estimated age of the fossils is 67 million years.
The auction took place at Sotheby's headquarters in New York and lasted ten minutes. With this sale, Gus surpassed the stegosaurus "Apex," which held the title of most expensive dinosaur fossil since 2024, when it was sold for US$ 44.6 million. The identity of the buyer, who placed the bid by phone, remains unknown.
Members of the scientific community expressed criticism regarding the commercialization of the specimen, warning that such practices can compromise scientific advancement. The American Society of Vertebrate Paleontology issued a statement arguing that newly discovered fossils of scientific importance should be kept under the custody of public institutions to ensure future research. Scientists point out that when these finds move into private collections without guaranteed access, the chances for research, education, and scientific dissemination can be drastically reduced.
Ben Miller, curator at the Field Museum in Chicago, opined that although the skeleton might end up in a museum, the real risk lies in the high values that incentivize harmful behaviors, such as illegal looting of fossils from public or indigenous lands. He emphasized that while in countries like Brazil and Mongolia fossils are inalienable national heritage, in the US, private owners hold possession of fossils excavated on their properties.
Cassandra Hatton, head of the science and natural history department at Sotheby's, told AFP that the United States is the only country where fossils like this are considered private property, allowing the landowner to have the right to sell them.
The fossil of a tyrannosaurus named 'Gus' achieved its dream, spending 67 million years underground before appearing in New York and becoming the most expensive dinosaur sold at auction.
Sotheby's auction house sold the tyrannosaur skeleton on Tuesday for $50.1 million (equivalent to R820.6 million), including commissions. The bidding lasted 10 minutes and involved seven buyers, including one anonymous telephone bidder.
The auction house expected the price for 'Gus' to be between $20 and $30 million. However, the final price significantly exceeded the previous auction record for dinosaurs, which was set in 2024 when a Stegosaurus named Apex was sold by Sotheby's for $44.6 million (R730.5 million).
This skeleton, approximately 67 million years old, received the nickname 'Gus' after the late rancher Gary 'Gus' Liking, who lived in Harding County, South Dakota, and owned the land where the specimen was found. He passed away in 2022, one year after the excavation of the fossil began.
According to Sotheby's, 'Gus' includes 183 bone elements, as well as 30 rare abdominal ribs known as gastralia. The official lot description states that the skeleton is completed by about 61% in terms of bones and 75–80% in terms of bone mass, and it has an 'exceptionally well-preserved skull' containing all six tooth rows. The skull is so heavy that Sotheby's displayed the actual specimen separately in the lobby, while a replica head was placed on the mounted skeleton.
CBS News reports that Thomas Hightcamp led the excavations, while The Guardian claims that the commercial firm Theropoda Expeditions conducted the work. Sotheby's Vice President Cassandra Hatton called the result 'the work of many years,' noting that 'Gus' is not only an exceptional find but also a specimen that was 'researched, documented, prepared, and cared for with true perfection.'
The bones also bear traces of a complex life and possibly a difficult afterlife. Sotheby's notes that the skull and the right tooth row show signs of tyrannosaurid bites, as well as healed fractures in several ribs and gastralia.
Paleontologist Professor Richard Butler of the University of Birmingham told The Guardian that fossils sold to private individuals may 'be lost to research' if they do not end up in a recognized museum collection.
