AssetID: 55852415
Headline: 'Gus' the T. Rex skeleton sells for record $50 million
Caption: BY MARK WORGAN One of the largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeletons ever discovered has been sold for $50.1 million (£37 million) at auction, becoming the most expensive ever. The specimen, known as "Gus", was the star attraction at Sotheby's Natural History sale in New York on Tuesday (14July2026), surpassing its pre-sale estimate of $20 million-$30 million. Standing around 12.5ft (3.8m) tall and stretching 38ft (11.6m) in length, the dinosaur is regarded as one of the most scientifically important T. rex specimens to reach the private market. The sale eclipses the previous auction record set in 2024 by the Stegosaurus known as Apex, which sold for $45 million. The identity of the buyer was not immediately disclosed. "Gus" is considered exceptional not only for its size but also for its remarkable state of preservation. The fossil comprises 183 original bones, making it around 61% complete by bone count and representing an estimated 75% to 80% of the dinosaur's total bone mass. Experts say this places it among the most complete T. rex skeletons ever unearthed. Its skull is especially well preserved, with around 82% of its bones intact, including all six tooth-bearing elements. The specimen also includes a rare wishbone, both upper arm bones, a complete pelvis and unusually well-preserved feet — a feature seen in only one other known T. rex specimen. The dinosaur also bears evidence of a violent life. Researchers identified healed fractures in several ribs and stomach ribs, along with bite marks on parts of the skull and other bones that may have been inflicted during combat or scavenging. The fossil was discovered in Harding County, South Dakota, by palaeontologist Thomas Heitkamp and his team after three consecutive excavation seasons between 2021 and 2023. The site lay on a cattle ranch owned by the late Gary "Gus" Licking, after whom the dinosaur was named. Licking had long suspected that something significant lay beneath his land, having found fossil teeth and bone fragments over many years. He invited professional fossil hunters to investigate, personally indicating the area where he believed they should begin searching. That location proved to contain one of the finest T. rex skeletons ever discovered. Sadly, Mr Licking died during the excavation and never saw the completed specimen assembled. Speaking before the auction, Mr Heitkamp described the painstaking process of uncovering the dinosaur. "This specimen took three years to excavate, with the team sometimes working for weeks without finding a thing," he said. "We documented every stage with quarry maps, inventories and collection data. In the end, our diligence paid off and we discovered what turned out to be a huge and incredibly complete T. rex specimen. "It really does feel like tackling the world's hardest puzzle, except we have to find all the pieces first." Following excavation, the skeleton underwent a further three years of laboratory preparation before each fossil was cleaned, catalogued and mounted. Tyrannosaurus rex lived around 67 million years ago, during the Late Cretaceous period, when much of what is now western North America consisted of warm coastal floodplains and river systems rich in wildlife. Growing to immense size, the predator possessed an enormous skull, powerful jaws lined with serrated teeth, keen eyesight and an exceptional sense of smell, making it one of the dominant hunters of its era. Today, T. rex remains the world's best-known dinosaur, featuring prominently in films, museums and popular culture. Despite its fame, complete specimens remain exceptionally rare. The first T. rex fossil was discovered in 1902 by American palaeontologist Barnum Brown. In the more than 120 years since, scientists have identified only around 32 specimens, many consisting of only a handful of bones. Only a tiny number are regarded as substantially complete. The sale has reignited debate over whether scientifically important fossils should be sold into private ownership. Many palaeontologists have argued that significant specimens belong in public museums, where they remain accessible for research and education. Others say responsible private collectors have helped preserve important fossils that might otherwise never have been excavated. Sotheby's has increasingly become a major marketplace for rare dinosaur fossils. Its first landmark sale came in 1997 with Sue, the first dinosaur ever auctioned. That specimen is now displayed at Chicago's Field Museum. More recently, the auction house sold Apex for $45 million, with the fossil subsequently placed on long-term loan to the American Museum of Natural History in New York. Ahead of Tuesday auction, "Gus" was exhibited free to the public at Sotheby's New York galleries as part of its annual Geek Week programme, attracting thousands of visitors eager to see one of the largest and most complete predators ever to have walked the Earth. With its $50 million sale price, "Gus" has now secured its place not only in the fossil record but also in auction history.
Keywords: feature,photo,video,t rex,auction,fossil,dinosaur,sotheby's
PersonInImage: Bidding war over Gus the T. Rex skeleton.