A rare dinosaur nicknamed “Jodi” sold for $47.3 million (Rp 858 billion) in New York, far exceeding its estimated value.
The fossil, a Nanotyrannus, was confirmed last year as a distinct species, not a juvenile T. rex, Kabar6 reported.
The 12-minute auction at Sotheby’s saw Jodi become the second-most expensive dinosaur fossil ever sold, surpassed only by “Gus,” a T. rex that fetched $50.1 million in July. The winning bidder chose to remain anonymous.
The Nanotyrannus Distinction: A Species Reborn
For decades, a fierce debate divided paleontologists: was the Nanotyrannus a unique genus of tyrannosaurid, or merely a young Tyrannosaurus rex?
As Kompas.com noted, the confirmation that Nanotyrannus was a separate genus made Jodi the first specimen of its kind to be auctioned since that landmark discovery. Unlike its colossal relative, the adult Nanotyrannus possessed proportionally longer forelimbs, larger hand claws, and blade-like teeth, suggesting a different predatory niche.
Kabar6 reported that based on its bone development and overall size, Jodi is considered an adult specimen, not a juvenile. The fossil, standing at 2.9 meters tall and nearly 6 meters long, is approximately 70% complete, with missing parts recreated using 3D-printed elements and custom casts.
Jodi Is a Unique Nanotyrannus Species Sold for $47.3 Million
- Jodi is a scientifically confirmed adult dinosaur of a unique species, Nanotyrannus, not a young T. rex.
- Its sale for $47.3 million makes it the second-most expensive dinosaur fossil ever sold.
Selling Jodi to Private Collectors Alarms the Scientific Community
The astronomical price of Jodi has ignited a critical conversation within the paleontological community about the ethics of selling significant fossils to private collectors.
“Kita baru saja mengetahui bahwa Nanotyrannus benar-benar ada, dan sekarang salah satu kerangka terbaiknya akan dijual kepada penawar tertinggi,” said Steve Brusatte, a professor of paleontology and evolution at the University of Edinburgh, in an email.
The scientific community has only just confirmed the genus’s validity, and now, its most complete and accessible specimen is in private hands.
“Rasanya seperti ada gelembung harga dinosaurus yang pada suatu titik pasti akan pecah,” added David Hone, a paleontologist and senior lecturer in zoology at Queen Mary University of London, also speaking via email. “Harganya tidak mungkin terus naik selamanya.” Hone further noted that the scientific value of such a specimen is difficult to ascertain without rigorous, peer-reviewed study, a process that is now impossible.
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A Market of Record: The Economics of Prehistory
Sotheby’s, the auction house handling the sale, described the 191-bone skeleton as “sangat siap untuk dipamerkan” (very ready for display) and noted it was sold with “hak penuh” (full rights), allowing the new owner to create and sell replicas to museums or other collectors.
The record holders create a clear hierarchy of value: Fossil Name Species Sale Price (USD) Year of Sale Jodi Nanotyrannus $47.3 million 2026 Gus Tyrannosaurus rex $50.1 million 2026 Apex Stegosaurus $44.6 million 2024.
As Kompas.com reported, the initial estimate for Jodi was a far more conservative $9 million.
The Unanswered Question: Who Holds History Now?
While the new owner possesses full rights to create replicas, the original fossil itself remains in private hands. The potential for it to be displayed to the public in a museum setting, where it could inspire future generations of scientists and the public alike, hangs in the balance.
References
- Kompas.com
