NEW YORK – A dinosaur that looks like a miniature T. rex is now one of the world’s most expensive fossils.
Recently, a rare skeleton of a dinosaur called a Nanotyrannus was sold for an astonishing $47.3 million at an auction in New York City. This auction, hosted by Sotheby’s, far exceeded expectations; they had anticipated the fossil would sell for between $6 to $9 million.
The skeleton, affectionately nicknamed “Jodi,” is now the second-priciest set of dinosaur bones ever sold. Earlier this summer, a T. rex fossil known as “Gus” set a record when it sold for $50.1 million at the same auction house.
The identity of the new owner of “Jodi” remains a mystery, as they chose not to reveal themselves after outbidding several other buyers during the live auction, which lasted about 12 minutes.
The Nanotyrannus, which lived during the Cretaceous period around 67 million years ago, is about half the size of an adult T. rex. It had unique features, such as longer forelimbs and larger hand claws, alongside slender, blade-like teeth that set it apart from its famous cousin.
“Jodi” is one of only three known skeletons of its kind and measures 6.5 feet (2 meters) tall and nearly 20 feet (6 meters) long. It has been on display at Sotheby’s headquarters in Manhattan and is considered to be almost 70% complete.
The dinosaur is named after Jodi Pierson, the Montana rancher who discovered it on her property in 2019. This remarkable find has been highlighted in the Discovery Channel documentary series “Dino Hunters,” which showcased the efforts of professional fossil hunters who excavated the specimen.
Cassandra Hatton, Sotheby’s head of science and natural history, expressed gratitude towards the team involved in the discovery, stating, “Their commitment to understanding and preserving this remarkable specimen has helped bring us to this moment, a testament to the fact that we can all make major contributions to science.”
However, the sale of “Jodi” has sparked debate among scientists. Many argue that significant fossils like this one should be displayed in museums or other institutions, where they can be studied by researchers and enjoyed by the public.
For many years, scientists were uncertain whether Nanotyrannus was a distinct type of dinosaur or merely a juvenile T. rex. Recent research published in 2022 has confirmed that it is indeed a separate genus, adding to the fascinating story of these ancient creatures.
