161-Year-Old Stegosaurus with Arthritis, Apex, Goes to Auction in NY

The nearly complete fossilised remains of a 161-million-year-old stegosaurus, discovered in Colorado in 2022, will be auctioned by Sotheby's in New York next week, according to auction house officials. The dinosaur, named Apex by Sotheby's, stands 11 feet (3.3 metres) tall and measures 27 feet (8.2 metres) from nose to tail, said Cassandra Hatton, Sotheby's global head of science and popular culture.

Apex was unearthed in May 2022 on private land near the town of Dinosaur, Colorado. The excavation concluded in October 2023, as reported by Sotheby's. Despite the belief that stegosauruses used their tail spikes for combat, this specimen shows no signs of fighting. However, it does exhibit evidence of arthritis, indicating that Apex lived to an advanced age.

Distinctive Features and Auction Details

The stegosaurus is easily recognisable due to its unique pointy dorsal plates. Hatton described Apex as "a colouring book dinosaur." She also noted that Apex was found "with the tail curled up underneath the body," a common death pose for animals. The dinosaur will be auctioned on July 17 as part of Sotheby's "Geek Week" series.

Sotheby's estimates that Apex will sell for between USD 4 million and USD 6 million, although this is just an educated guess. "This is an incredibly rare animal," Hatton said. "A stegosaurus of this calibre has never sold at auction before, so we will find out what it is actually worth."

Stegosauruses are among the world's most recognisable dinosaurs due to their distinctive dorsal plates. The fossilised remains of Apex provide valuable insights into the life and characteristics of these ancient creatures.

Hatton highlighted the significance of this discovery and its rarity in the auction world. The sale of Apex will be a notable event for both palaeontology enthusiasts and collectors alike.

The auction of Apex offers a unique opportunity to own a piece of prehistoric history. The fossil's condition and completeness make it a significant find in the field of palaeontology.

The discovery and subsequent auction of Apex underscore the ongoing fascination with dinosaurs and their enduring legacy in popular culture. This event is expected to attract considerable attention from both scientific communities and private collectors.

The auction will take place on July 17 during Sotheby's "Geek Week," a series dedicated to celebrating science and popular culture. This event highlights the intersection of scientific discovery and public interest in ancient life forms.

The sale of Apex represents a rare chance to acquire a nearly complete stegosaurus fossil, a testament to the enduring allure of these prehistoric giants. As Hatton noted, "We will find out what it is actually worth" when it goes under the hammer.