Young Dinosaur Skeleton Fetches $30.5 Million at Auction
The Ceratosaurus is described as a swift and agile predator, likely similar to its distant cousin the T-rex
A juvenile Ceratosaurus skeleton estimated to be around 150 million years old shattered presale estimates on Wednesday, when a six-way bidding war ended with a final sale price of $30.5 million. The specimen, measuring 6 feet, 3 inches tall and 10 feet, 8 inches long, is only the fourth known Ceratosaurus skeleton; this is the only known juvenile.
According to Sotheby’s, which auctioned the specimen as part of its Natural History sale, the 139 fossils were first unearthed at Bone Cabin Quarry in Wyoming in 1996, and had been exhibited unmounted at the Museum of Ancient Life in Utah. The Ceratosaurus is described as a swift and agile predator, likely similar to its distant cousin the T-rex, although much smaller and separated by about 100 million years.
“This juvenile Ceratosaurus is a marvel of prehistoric preservation—an extraordinary specimen that bridges scientific rarity with natural beauty,” says Cassandra Hatton, Vice Chairman, Science and Natural History. “Among the very finest dinosaur fossils to ever be offered at auction, this unique specimen underscores Sotheby’s ongoing commitment to presenting the most important and precious treasures from our planet’s deep past.”
Prior to the auction, the Ceratosaurus was mounted for the first time in history, and on public view. It is now the third-highest price for a dinosaur sold at auction. Not long after, the largest piece of Mars on Earth sold for $5.3 million, which set a new record for the most valuable meteorite sold at auction. The NWA 16788, a 54-pound specimen, sparked a 15-minute bidding battle between online and phone bidders before the final hammer.
The Natural History category is part of the auction house’s Geek Week sale, which is also comprised of a History of Science and Technology category and a Space Exploration category.