Apex is considered one of the most complete stegosaurus skeletons ever discovered and was found near Dinosaur, Colorado in 2022.
A stegosaurus skeleton named Apex was sold for $44.6 million at Sotheby's in New York City.
Paleontologists suggest making replicas available for those interested in owning a piece of history while keeping original specimens accessible for scientific study.
The anonymous buyer plans to loan the specimen to a U.S. institution, while some in the scientific community express concern about soaring prices pricing important fossils out of reach for museums and universities.
The sale sets a new record for the value of fossils at auction, surpassing the previous record set by a Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton named Stan.
In a record-breaking auction at Sotheby's in New York City, a massive stegosaurus skeleton named Apex was sold for an astounding $44.6 million. The sale, which far surpassed initial estimates of $4 to $6 million, sets a new benchmark for the value of fossils at auction. The anonymous buyer plans to loan the specimen to a U.S. institution, while some in the scientific community express concern that soaring prices could price important fossils out of reach for museums and universities seeking to study them.
Apex, which is considered one of the most complete stegosaurus skeletons ever discovered, was found near Dinosaur, Colorado by paleontologist Jason Cooper in 2022. The fossil's exceptional quality earned it the nickname Apex, a nod to its status as the pinnacle of its kind. The auction drew seven bidders from around the world who engaged in a heated 15-minute bidding war. Sotheby's confirmed that an American buyer secured the fossil, breaking the previous record set by a Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton known as Stan, which sold for $31.8 million in 2020.
The surge in prices for prehistoric specimens has alarmed paleontologists who worry that academic institutions and museums may be priced out of the market. Some, like Cary Woodruff, the paleontologist who discovered Apex's fossil, believe replicas should be made available for those interested in owning a piece of history while keeping the original specimens accessible for scientific study.
As concerns over accessibility to fossils grow, the record-breaking sale of Apex highlights the growing interest in and demand for prehistoric artifacts. The auction also underscores the importance of preserving and studying these ancient creatures, whose stories can provide valuable insights into Earth's history and our planet's evolution.
A large dinosaur skeleton, named Apex, was sold for $44.6m at a Sotheby's auction in New York City.
It ranks among the most complete skeletons ever found.
An anonymous buyer purchased Apex, with plans to possibly loan it to a US institution.
Apex was discovered by Jason Cooper near Dinosaur, Colorado in 2022.
Accuracy
Apex is the most expensive fossil ever sold at auction.
The stegosaurus skeleton is 11ft tall and 27ft long from nose to tail.
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(95%)
The author makes an appeal to authority by quoting Sotheby's statements about the value and completeness of the dinosaur skeleton. He also uses inflammatory rhetoric by stating that 'Apex was born in America and is going to stay in America' which implies a sense of national pride or importance.
The finest stegosaurus to appear at auction, ‘Apex’ has made history today [Wednesday] selling for $44.6 million at Sotheby’s to become the most valuable fossil ever sold at auction,
Apex was born in America and is going to stay in America
It was discovered in Colorado by a paleontologist named Cary Woodruff.
Cary Woodruff believes that fossils should not be auctioned and thinks replicas are a better solution for those who want to own them.
Accuracy
The fossil was discovered in Colorado by a paleontologist named Cary Woodruff.
Sotheby's Senior Vice President and Global Head of Science and Pop Culture Cassandra Hatton stated that clients usually purchase specimens either for museums or donate them after buying.
An anonymous buyer purchased Apex, with plans to possibly loan it to a US institution.
A stegosaurus fossil named Apex was sold at auction for a record-breaking $44.6 million.
The buyer, who intends to explore loaning the specimen to a U.S. institution, is American.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(95%)
The article contains an appeal to authority when it states 'Sotheby's sold an unusually complete stegosaurus fossil at auction on Wednesday for a staggering $44.6 million, toppling the record fossil price that had previously been set by the king of the dinosaur world, the Tyrannosaurus rex.' This statement implies that Sotheby's is an authority on fossil prices and records.
Sotheby's sold an unusually complete stegosaurus fossil at auction on Wednesday for a staggering $44.6 million, toppling the record fossil price that had previously been set by the king of the dinosaur world, the Tyrannosaurus rex.
