The Discovery
A rare mounted dinosaur skeleton nicknamed "Jodi" was recently purchased at a Sotheby's auction in New York City for $47.3 million. Discovered in 2019 by rancher Jodi Pierson on her land in Montana, the fossil was excavated by professional fossil hunters whose work was featured in the 2020 documentary series "Dino Hunters." The specimen stands 9 feet 6 inches tall, stretches nearly 20 feet long, and is considered almost 70% complete.
During a live auction lasting roughly 12 minutes, an anonymous buyer placed the winning bid, outbidding five other prospective buyers who participated online and by phone. The identity of the buyer is not specified in the source; please check the official notice. Originally expected to fetch between $6 million and $9 million, "Jodi" became the second most expensive dinosaur skeleton ever sold, behind a T. rex named "Gus" that fetched $50.1 million.
What Scientists Found
"Jodi" is one of only three known Nanotyrannus skeletons in existence. The creature coexisted with Tyrannosaurus rex during the Cretaceous period roughly 67 million years ago. While researchers debated for decades whether Nanotyrannus was a unique species or simply a juvenile T. rex, study results published last year confirmed it as a distinct genus and a distant cousin.
Distinct physical features of Nanotyrannus include:
- A overall length about half that of an adult T. rex.
- Relatively longer forelimbs with larger hand claws.
- Teeth that are more slender and blade-like compared to its larger cousin.
Why It Matters
The record-setting sale highlights the growing financial value placed on rare prehistoric remains. Cassandra Hatton, Sotheby's head of science and natural history, commended the excavation team for helping advance the preservation and understanding of the specimen. However, the transaction has drawn opposition from scientists who argue against private fossil sales. These critics contend that major discoveries like "Jodi" should reside in museums or institutions where researchers can study them and the general public can view them.
Source: dinosaur fossil discovery - BingNews · Published October 28, 2026 · Photo by Aditya Vyas on Unsplash
