Nanotyrannus Skeleton Sold for $47.3 Million at Auction in New York

At an auction held in New York, Jodi, a rare dinosaur skeleton standing approximately 3 meters tall, was sold for $47.3 million. Confirmed by research last year not to be a juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex but belonging to a distinct genus, this fossil of the Nanotyrannus species draws attention with its approximately 191 bone fragments and nearly perfectly preserved skull.

During the auction conducted by Sotheby's, while revenues of around $9 million were anticipated, the skeleton reached a price far exceeding expectations. The identity of the buyer was not disclosed. This sale follows the Tyrannosaurus rex fossil named Gus, which was sold for $50.1 million in July.

Evaluation: Such high-priced sales have reignited ethical debates within the scientific community regarding the sale of fossils to private collectors versus their display in publicly accessible museums. The fact that the skeleton is ready for exhibition has made it stand out in terms of collection value as well as its scientific value.