Dinosaur Fossil Up for Auction
Sotheby's to sell rare Nanotyrannus skeleton for $6-9 million. The fossil, named Jodi, is one of only three known skeletons of its kind.
Global Newsflix 2 min read
Sotheby's will auction a rare Nanotyrannus skeleton, named Jodi, on October 27. The fossil is estimated to sell for $6-9 million.
Jodi is one of only three known Nanotyrannus skeletons. It measures approximately 6.5 feet tall and 19.6 feet long.
The Nanotyrannus was a fast, highly specialized carnivorous tyrannosaurid that lived alongside Tyrannosaurus rex. It had over 150 morphological differences that distinguish it from its larger cousin.
Some of the distinguishing features of Nanotyrannus include proportionally and absolutely longer forelimbs, larger hand claws, and a greater number of teeth.
The public can view Jodi at Sotheby's galleries in New York from October 13.
Nanotyrannus was confirmed as a distinct genus last year, challenging long-held assumptions that Tyrannosaurus rex was the sole large predator of the Cretaceous.
The sale of Jodi follows the record-breaking sale of another dinosaur, Gus, which sold for $50.1 million at Sotheby's New York earlier this year.
Key facts
- Jodi is one of only three known Nanotyrannus skeletons.
- The fossil is estimated to sell for $6-9 million.
- Nanotyrannus had over 150 morphological differences that distinguish it from Tyrannosaurus rex.
- The public can view Jodi at Sotheby's galleries in New York from October 13.
Three perspectives
Neutral
The sale of Jodi is a significant event in the world of paleontology. The auction will be closely watched by collectors and scientists. The outcome of the sale will depend on the interest of bidders.
Positive
The sale of Jodi provides an opportunity for a collector or institution to acquire a rare and significant fossil. The auction will also raise awareness about the importance of paleontology and the study of dinosaurs.
Negative
The sale of Jodi has raised concerns about the commercialization of fossils and the potential for them to be lost to private collectors. Some have also questioned the ethics of selling fossils for profit.
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