T. rex Fossil Gus Heads to Sotheby's With $30 Million Valuation as Scientists Warn of Lost Access
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jul 11
T. rex Fossil Gus Heads to Sotheby's With $30 Million Valuation as Scientists Warn of Lost Access
3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jul 11
Summary
$30 million-valued T. rex fossil Gus goes to Sotheby's on Tuesday, with bidding set to start at $19 million and the specimen positioned to become one of the priciest dinosaurs ever sold.
61% of Gus's bones have been identified, making it one of the most complete and largest T. rex specimens found; excavators spent three years digging in South Dakota and three more years documenting and reconstructing it.
Scientists say prices at that level shut museums out of key specimens and can effectively remove fossils from research, because leading journals generally will not accept studies based on privately held material.
Auction prices have surged since 2020: Stan, a T. rex, sold for $31.8 million in 2020, while Sotheby's set the current dinosaur record in 2024 when Apex the Stegosaurus fetched $44.6 million.
The sale highlights a widening split in paleontology between rewarding risky private fossil recovery and keeping scientifically important specimens in public trust for long-term study and display.
When a T. rex sells for millions, is priceless scientific knowledge being locked away forever?
Can technology and new laws ensure public access to fossils discovered on private land?
The $30 Million Auction of "Gus": How a T. rex Skeleton Is Reshaping Fossil Ownership and Ethics
Overview
The T. rex fossil "Gus" is a 67-million-year-old specimen discovered in South Dakota in 2021. Exceptionally preserved, large, and complete, "Gus" stands over 12 feet tall and includes 183 bone elements, making it one of the most complete T. rex fossils ever found. Its remarkable features, such as a well-preserved skull, reconstructed pelvis, and rare furcula, have attracted significant attention. These outstanding attributes have positioned "Gus" as a highlight of the upcoming Sotheby’s auction, reflecting both its scientific importance and the growing interest in rare, high-quality dinosaur fossils.