One-of-a-kind Stegosaurus specimen up for auction, estimated at up to $6 million

The feverish passion for the dinosaurs does not seem to want to become extinct. This is demonstrated by the interest towards «Apex», a fossil of about 150 million yearsbeaten to theauction at Sotheby’s. It is the stegosaurus most complete and best preserved discovered so far, rare also for its dimensions: it measures 3.30 metres in height and over 6 metres in length.

«Stegosaurus is one of the most universally recognizable dinosaur species, whose unmistakable shape was a source of fascination and wonder for entire generations“, he has declared Cassandra HattonGlobal Head of Science & Popular Culture at Sotheby’s. In fact, with its pointed bony dorsal plates it is the best known of the armored dinosaurs.

Stegosaurus, Late Jurassic (about 161-146 million years ago). Morrison Formation, County
of Moffatt, Colorado, USA, Estimated $4,000,000 – $6,000,000, (Photo Credit: Matthew
Sherman)

«Apex» was discovered in 2022 in Coloradonear the town of Dinosaur (so called because of its proximity to the Dinosaur National Monument), after an excavation completed in October 2023. Practically complete, they were found 254 bone elementsout of an approximate total of 319. It is among the most complete dinosaur skeletons ever found, constituting an important discovery in the field of paleontology. L’prehistoric animala large adult individual, belonged to the category of herbivores. From the analyses carried out, no signs of combat or predation were found. Evidence of arthritis – because dinosaurs also suffered from it – indicates that he lived to an advanced age.

Other pieces for sale

In addition to “Apex”, the star of the auction Natural Historythere are a total of 54 lots presented. Fossils, minerals and meteorites including: a wonderful iridescent rainbow ammonite large in size; a tooth Of Tyrannosaurus Rex; one meteorite found in the Sahara of 50 kilos; a intact egg of Aepyornis Maximus, also called elephant bird; it’s a lapis lazuli from Afghanistan, famously known as “the sky-colored stone”.

Lapis Lazuli Tower, Afghanistan, (36.8 x 27.3 x 14.6 cm – 32.2 kg), Estimate $4,000 – $6,000,
(Photo Credit: Courtesy of Sotheby’s)