A Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton nicknamed 'Gus' sold at Sotheby's auction in New York on July 14, 2026, for $50.1 million, setting a new world record for the highest price paid for a dinosaur fossil at auction [1, 2, 3]. The fossil represents one of the most complete T. rex skeletons ever discovered, with 61-63% completeness by bone count and 75-80% by bone mass, containing 183 fossil bone elements [1, 4, 5]. The skeleton measures approximately 11.5 to 11.6 meters (about 38 feet) long and stands about 12 to 12.5 feet tall [1, 6, 5].
'Gus' was found in 2021 on a cattle ranch in Harding County, South Dakota, named after Gary "Gus" Licking, the ranch owner who passed away in 2022 before excavation finished [1, 6, 7]. Excavation took place over three summers from 2021 through 2023, followed by nearly three years of laboratory preparation to assemble and restore the specimen [1, 3, 7]. The skeleton shows signs of injury, including healed broken ribs and bite marks on the skull, likely from scavenging or confrontations with other dinosaurs [1, 5].
Cassandra Hatton, Sotheby’s head of science and natural history, said the sale reflects strong public interest. "It's really incredible to see and to have the level of public interest. I think anytime you've got this, it is good for science," she said, adding it encourages more museum visits and raises awareness of natural history [1]. Hatton also noted that "The United States is the only country in the world where fossils like this are considered personal property. If you own the land, you own the fossil and you have the right to sell it. So if you want a dinosaur, this is the only place that you can get it" [6]. On the quality of the specimen, she said "Gus is not only an exceptional find, but a specimen that's been excavated, documented, prepared, and cared for with real excellence. The market responds when great specimens are taken care of in the right way" [7].
The buyer chose to remain anonymous. The previous record for a fossil sold at auction was held by a stegosaurus skeleton named 'Apex,' which sold for $44.6 million in 2024 [1, 6, 5].
The auction capped off years of work since the discovery of Gus in 2021, marking a milestone in private fossil sales. The fossil's future is uncertain due to private ownership, which some paleontologists criticize for limiting research access [1, 8].
