A rare juvenile ceratosaurus specimen, discovered by Utah state paleontologist James Kirkland over 50 years ago, has been sold at a Sotheby’s auction in New York for a record-breaking $26 million. The sale marked the highest bidder’s unexpected surprise, with prices reaching as high as $30.5 million after fees.
The ceratosaurus is one of only four known skeletons of its kind, and this particular specimen was found in Wyoming’s historic Bone Cabin Quarry. It is notable for being the only juvenile of its species, measuring 11 feet long and standing six feet tall. The fossil was meticulously prepared by Sotheby’s auctioneer Phyllis Kao and features a distinctive horn on its nose.
Kirkland, who named three more dinosaurs this week, expressed hope that some of the funds generated from the sale will support scientific work in Utah paleontology. Fossilogic founder Brock Sisson, the fossil’s owner before the sale, also stated his intention to contribute to paleontology projects in Utah.
The $26 million sale makes it the third-most expensive dinosaur fossil sale on record, according to The New York Times.
Source: https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/northern-utah/lehi-museum-sells-150-million-year-old-dinosaur-fossil-one-of-four-ever-found