Nanotyrannus Fossil Sells for $47.3 Million
Sotheby's auction of the Jodi skeleton drew six bidders and set a record for a Nanotyrannus specimen.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Geology
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Sotheby's sold the Nanotyrannus fossil Jodi for $47.3 million at its New York auction on October 27, far above its estimate of $6 million to $9 million. The price makes Jodi the second-most expensive dinosaur fossil ever sold, trailing only the Tyrannosaurus rex fossil Gus sold three months earlier.
Why it matters
The sale highlights growing demand for rare dinosaur specimens and renewed debate over whether Nanotyrannus is a distinct species. Research published in Nature concluded Nanotyrannus is distinct rather than a juvenile Tyrannosaurus, a finding that bears directly on how the fossil is valued.
Jodi consists of approximately 191 fossilized bones with a nearly complete skull, and Sotheby's noted over 150 morphological differences between Nanotyrannus and Tyrannosaurus. The buyer's identity and the fossil's future location were not disclosed.
The players
Sotheby's
Sotheby's is a global auction house that has handled many of the highest-profile fossil sales in recent years.
The details
Six bidders competed for 12 minutes before the hammer fell on Jodi at $47.3 million. Sotheby's has highlighted the specimen's scientific significance as a driver of its price.
Timeline
October 27, 2026: Jodi sold for $47.3 million at Sotheby's New York auction.
Three months before the Jodi sale: Tyrannosaurus rex fossil Gus sold for $50.13 million.
The Big Picture
Jodi's $47.3 million price extends a climb from the $8.36 million paid for Tyrannosaurus Sue in 1997. The sale follows Stan's $31.8475 million sale in 2020 and Apex's $44.6 million sale in 2024, marking a sustained rise in fossil valuations.
Collectors and museums now face rising costs for rare dinosaur specimens, which can shape which fossils remain in public research collections. Readers interested in paleontology may find more specimens entering private hands as valuations climb.
The takeaway
Rising auction prices for fossils raise questions about access to specimens that inform scientific research. The Jodi sale shows how scientific significance and rarity can drive valuations well above estimates.
Further reading
For more on how fossil discoveries are studied, explore Geology coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by 조선일보.
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