Sotheby’s to Auction Nanotyrannus Skeleton on October 27

The fossil, known as Jodi, will be auctioned in New York City amid ongoing research into the genus's status.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Life Sciences

A mounted dinosaur skeleton stands in a stark, dimly lit gallery space under sharp overhead lighting. — Sotheby's will auction a rare Nanotyrannus skeleton named Jodi in New York City on October 27, with expected proceeds up to $9 million. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Sotheby's will offer a rare Nanotyrannus skeleton known as Jodi at an auction in New York City on October 27, 2026. The specimen is expected to fetch between $6 million and $9 million.

Why it matters

The sale follows significant scientific debate regarding whether Nanotyrannus is a unique, mature genus or simply a juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex. Recent studies have analyzed bone structures to provide evidence for its status as a distinct species.

Researchers utilized microscopic examination of bone growth rings to identify a cessation of growth in the throat bone. The specimen stands 6.5 feet tall and 19.6 feet long, comprising 191 elements and 35 teeth.

The players

Sotheby's

This international auction house handles high-value sales of art, luxury goods, and natural history specimens.

Clayton Phipps

He is a professional fossil hunter who discovered the Jodi specimen in the Hell Creek Formation.

The details

Discovered in the Hell Creek Formation of Montana in 2019 by Clayton Phipps, the Jodi skeleton offers a rare look at the anatomy of this controversial predator. Scientists previously analyzed throat bone structures to conclude that the creature had reached physical maturity.

1942: Discovery of a Nanotyrannus skull in Montana.
2019: Jodi fossil discovered in Montana.
2020: North Carolina museum acquired Dueling Dinosaurs fossil.
October 2025: Publication of Nature study regarding Nanotyrannus maturity.
October 27, 2026: Scheduled auction of the Jodi skeleton.

The Big Picture

This auction follows the precedent set by the 2020 acquisition of the Dueling Dinosaurs fossil by the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. The sale reflects a broader trend of high-stakes commercial interest in significant paleontological discoveries.

The public auction of this specimen highlights the ongoing shift in how significant scientific discoveries are preserved and accessed. The sale may influence future funding for private excavations and the availability of specimens for peer-reviewed anatomical studies.

The takeaway

The auction of Jodi serves as a reminder of the intersection between commercial fossil trading and active paleontological research. Enthusiasts can track the development of the Nanotyrannus classification debate through upcoming peer-reviewed studies published in major scientific journals.