Nanotyrannus Skeleton Sells for $47.3M at Auction

A rare Nanotyrannus skeleton named 'Jodi' has sold for $47.3 million (€42 million) at Sotheby's in New York, making it the second most valuable dinosaur fossil ever to go under the hammer. The twelve-minute bidding war, which involved six collectors online and by telephone, shattered the pre-sale estimate of $6 million to $9 million and reignited debate over private fossil ownership.

What Is Nanotyrannus?

Nanotyrannus is a genus of tyrannosauroid dinosaur that lived in western North America during the Late Cretaceous, approximately 67 million years ago. For decades, paleontologists debated whether Nanotyrannus was a distinct species or simply a juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex fossil discoveries. Recent research, including a 2025 revision by Lindsay Zanno and James Napoli, supports its status as a separate genus, citing more than 150 morphological differences such as a slender skull, longer legs, and unserrated front teeth.

The specimen known as 'Jodi' is exceptionally complete: it measures 19.6 feet (4.7 meters) from nose to tail and stands about 9.6 feet (2.7 meters) tall on its armature. It comprises roughly 191 fossil bone elements and a virtually complete skull. Only three substantial Nanotyrannus skeletons are known to science, making this one of the rarest dinosaur fossils ever offered at auction.

Record-Breaking Auction at Sotheby's

Discovered in 2019 by rancher Jodi Pierson on private land in Montana's Hell Creek Formation, the skeleton was excavated and mounted before being consigned to Sotheby's. The auction house expected the lot to fetch between $6 million and $9 million, but the final price of $47.3 million places it second only to the Tyrannosaurus rex 'Gus', which sold for $50.1 million earlier this year.

“Potentially scientifically important fossils may be lost to research and the public if they are in private hands,” a university lecturer told The Guardian, adding: “The total costs of excavating and mounting a skeleton like this are probably at most a million dollars.”

The buyer has not been identified. The rapid sale mirrors the market for rare dinosaur fossil auctions, where private collectors increasingly outbid museums and research institutions.

Why Scientists Are Concerned

The record sale has drawn sharp criticism from paleontologists who warn that high-profile auctions divert scientifically valuable specimens away from public collections. Museums and universities often cannot compete with wealthy private buyers, meaning important fossils may become inaccessible for study or display.

This controversy is part of a broader debate over commercial fossil collecting ethics and the role of auction houses in the paleontological marketplace. While private land discoveries are legally owned by landowners in the United States, researchers argue that unique specimens like Jodi belong in institutions where they can be studied and shared with the public.

FAQ

How much did the Nanotyrannus skeleton sell for?

The Nanotyrannus skeleton named Jodi sold for $47.3 million (€42 million) at Sotheby's in New York.

Where was the Nanotyrannus fossil found?

It was discovered in 2019 by rancher Jodi Pierson on private land in Montana's Hell Creek Formation.

Why is the Nanotyrannus skeleton so rare?

Only three substantial Nanotyrannus skeletons are known to science, and Jodi is among the most complete, with about 191 fossil bones and a nearly complete skull.

Was Nanotyrannus a juvenile T. rex?

For years it was debated, but recent research supports Nanotyrannus as a distinct genus with over 150 morphological differences from Tyrannosaurus rex.

Who bought the Nanotyrannus skeleton?

The buyer has not been publicly identified, following a common practice in high-value fossil auctions.