Rare Nanotyrannus Skeleton 'Jodi' Fetches $47.3 Million at Sotheby's Auction Amid Scientific Debate

Paleontologists have debated whether Nanotyrannus is a distinct genus or a juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex. The Nanotyrannus discovery site sits near the location of the Dueling Dinosaurs fossil. Researchers found that fossil in 2006. The specimen proved critical to recent taxonomic reclassification. Organizers exhibited the Jodi skeleton as a juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex at the Frieze Masters art fair in London in October 2023.

1. The $47.3 million sale price makes 'Jodi' the second most valuable, falling just short of the record set by the T. rex "Gus", which sold for $50.1 million at an auction in July 2026.

2. The 12-minute auction drew six bidders and exceeded the initial $6 million to $9 million estimate.

3. Commercial paleontologist Clayton Phipps excavated the skeleton. The remains contain approximately 191 fossil bone elements. Phipps discovered the "Dueling Dinosaurs" fossil in 2006. Researchers used the discovery to classify Nanotyrannus as a distinct genus.

4. Megan Jacobs noted that the high cost of excavation often necessitates private sales. She argued that many privately sold fossils eventually find their way into public museum collections for display and study.

5. Only three substantial Nanotyrannus skeletons are known to science.

1. Paleontologist Thomas R. Holtz Jr. criticized the sale. He argued that museums should use such funds for operations. Holtz warned that private ownership risks making the rare fossil inaccessible to research.

2. The sale continues a series of high-value fossil auctions. A Tyrannosaurus rex named Gus sold for $50.1 million in July 2026. A Stegosaurus named Apex sold for $44.6 million in July 2024.