A rare Nanotyrannus skeleton named Jodi is hitting the auction block in New York with a price tag of at least $6 million.
A rare dinosaur skeleton named Jodi is going up for auction in New York. Sotheby’s expects the fossil to sell for at least $6 million. Some experts once thought this creature was a young Tyrannosaurus rex. Recent research now confirms it belongs to a separate genus.
Next, the auction house will offer the skeleton on Tuesday. The specimen stands about ten feet tall. It features a nearly complete skull and over 190 fossil bones. Experts consider it one of only three such skeletons known to science.
Also, the skeleton comes from the Hall Creek Formation in Montana. Rancher Jodi Pierson discovered the bones on her property. Commercial paleontologist Clayton Phipps later excavated the site. This area is famous for yielding other significant dinosaur discoveries.
Then, scientists clarified the species last October. Researchers Lindsay Zanno and James Napoli proved the creature was distinct from a T. rex. The animal lived about 67 million years ago. It had a slender body and sharp teeth for slicing meat.
However, the sale sparks debate among the scientific community. Many researchers worry about private individuals buying important fossils. They prefer that museums house these remains for public study and education. Prof. Steve Brusatte calls the potential loss of public access harrowing.
Meanwhile, some experts offer a different perspective. Paleontologist Megan Jenkins notes the high costs of finding and excavating fossils. She points out that many private specimens eventually find their way into museums. She does not fault the owners for seeking payment for their work.
Finally, this sale follows another high-profile dinosaur auction. A T. rex skeleton named Gus recently sold for over $50 million. These events highlight a growing trend of private fossil collecting. The scientific community continues to discuss the impact of these sales on research.