Montana Rancher's Dinosaur Skeleton Sets New Auction Record
A nearly complete Nanotyrannus skeleton sold in New York for $47 million after a twelve-minute bidding contest.
By Kevin Iyer ·
Fossils are a well-known feature of eastern Montana's landscape. On Monday, one such find from the state set a new benchmark in the commercial sale of prehistoric remains.
The skeleton sold for $47 million at an auction held in New York. This price establishes a record for the species and reflects high demand among private collectors. The bidding process lasted twelve minutes before the final hammer fell.
The specimen is a Nanotyrannus, a small to medium-sized carnivore that lived in North America approximately 66 million years ago. The animal measured about 20 feet in length and stood roughly 10 feet tall. Paleontologists consider this dinosaur rare, with only about three known skeletons discovered to date.
A Montana rancher originally found the remains on his property in 2019. Professional excavators subsequently removed the bones from the ground. The skeleton has been named Jodi in honor of the rancher who made the discovery.
The auction house has not disclosed the identity of the buyer or their intended use for the specimen. The sale confirms that complete dinosaur skulls from rare species command top prices in the global market.
