T. rex fossil 'Gus' sells for record Rs 430 crore at auction, becoming the world's most expensive dinosaur skeleton

A 67-million-year-old Tyrannosaurus rex fossil has smashed auction records after selling for $50.1 million (around Rs 430 crore) at Sotheby's in New York, making it the most expensive dinosaur fossil ever sold.

Nicknamed "Gus", the remarkably well-preserved skeleton was purchased by an anonymous bidder after an intense 10-minute bidding war involving seven prospective buyers. The final price comfortably exceeded its pre-sale estimate of $20-30 million.

The sale eclipses the previous auction record for a dinosaur fossil- the $44.6 million paid for the stegosaurus "Apex" in 2024. It also surpasses the $31.8 million fetched by another famous T. rex skeleton, "Stan", in 2020.

Why 'Gus' is so special

Standing about 12.5 feet (3.8 metres) tall and 38 feet (11.5 metres) long, Gus is considered one of the largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus rex specimens ever discovered.

More from Lifestyle

The fossil is approximately 61 per cent complete, featuring an exceptionally preserved skull with its iconic jaw lined with razor-sharp teeth. It also includes two well-preserved feet and several rare bones seldom found in T. rex fossils, including the furcula, or wishbone.

"Gus is not only an exceptional find, but a specimen that's been excavated, documented, prepared, and cared for with real excellence," Cassandra Hatton, Sotheby's Vice Chair, said after the sale, as reported by Associated Press. "The market responds when great specimens are taken care of in the right way."

The fossil was unearthed in 2021 on a ranch in South Dakota and was named after the property's owner, Gary Licking, who died during the nearly five-year excavation, restoration and mounting process.

A fierce bidding battle

According to Sotheby's, the anonymous buyer participated over the telephone and outbid six other collectors during the live auction.

At one point, auctioneer Phyllis Kao playfully encouraged bidders by saying, "Try a bigger bite. It's a T. rex, after all," as offers continued climbing beyond expectations.

The final hammer price reflects the growing demand for rare natural history specimens, particularly complete dinosaur skeletons that are prized by museums as well as private collectors.

Scientists hope it ends up in a museum

Not everyone is celebrating the record-breaking sale. The Society of Vertebrate Paleontology has urged the new owner to place Gus in a public museum, arguing that scientifically significant fossils should remain accessible to researchers and future generations.

"Our hope is that the new owner recognises the extraordinary scientific and educational value of Gus the T. rex and aims to keep it in the public trust by immediately donating it to an accredited natural history museum," said the society's president-elect, Kristi Curry Rogers, said in a statement as per Associated Press.

There is precedent for such an outcome. The record-holding stegosaurus Apex is currently on long-term loan to the American Museum of Natural History in New York, while the iconic T. rex Sue is displayed at Chicago's Field Museum. Meanwhile, Stan, once the world's most expensive dinosaur fossil, is exhibited at the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi.

ALSO READ | Wealthy collectors are splurging on dinosaur fossils. Here's why that is bad news for science

The king of dinosaurs

Meaning "King of the Tyrant Lizards," Tyrannosaurus rex lived during the Late Cretaceous Period, roughly 67 million years ago, and sat at the top of the prehistoric food chain.

Its massive skull, bone-crushing bite and famously tiny forelimbs have made the T. rex one of the world's most recognisable dinosaurs. It has remained a pop culture icon through books, documentaries and blockbuster franchises such as Jurassic Park, ensuring that fascination with the prehistoric predator continues to endure millions of years after its extinction.