A mounted skeleton of a Nanotyrannus dinosaur sold at Sotheby’s in New York for $47.3 million, far exceeding initial expectations of at least $9 million. The specimen, nicknamed Jodi, stands approximately 10 feet tall and consists of roughly 191 fossil-bone elements along with a nearly complete skull. The sale occurred following research confirmation last October that the skeleton represents a distinct genus rather than a juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex, as previously believed.
The Nanotyrannus specimen ranks as only the second-most valuable dinosaur fossil ever auctioned, trailing the Tyrannosaurus rex “Gus,” which sold for $50.1 million in July. A Stegosaurus named Apex previously held the third position after selling for $44.6m in July 2024. According to Sotheby’s, Jodi represents one of only three known skeletons of this species and marks the first to reach the market since scientific confirmation of the genus. A bidding competition among six interested parties lasted approximately 12 minutes, though the winning buyer’s identity remains undisclosed.
The discovery of Jodi in Montana’s Hell Creek Formation by rancher Jodi Pierson, followed by excavation by commercial paleontologist Clayton Phipps, contributed to a broader understanding of Nanotyrannus. Phipps also discovered the famous “Dueling Dinosaurs” fossil found eight miles away, which proved instrumental in research confirming Nanotyrannus as a distinct species from Tyrannosaurus rex, settling decades of scientific debate.
The auction has intensified discussion within the scientific community regarding private versus public ownership of dinosaur remains. Some paleontologists, including Prof Steve Brusatte of the University of Edinburgh, expressed concern that acquisition by wealthy collectors could remove significant specimens from public access, potentially hindering research and education. However, other researchers, including Megan Jacobs of the University of Portsmouth, noted that considerable resources are required for excavation and suggested such specimens often ultimately find their way into museums despite private ownership concerns.
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