The Apex Stegosaurus, the most expensive dinosaur fossil ever sold at auction, is now on public display at the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) in New York City. Unveiled in July 2024, Apex was purchased by billionaire hedge fund manager Kenneth C. Griffin for a staggering $44.6 million, surpassing the previous record-holder, the T. rex “Stan”, which sold for $31.8 million in 2020.
Unearthed in May 2022 near Dinosaur, Colorado, by commercial paleontologist Jason Cooper, Apex was discovered in the Morrison Formation, a sedimentary rock layer dating back to the Late Jurassic period, around 150 million years ago. The fossil is exceptional not only because of its high price tag but also due to its remarkable completeness. Around 80% of the skeleton’s bones are preserved, making it one of the most complete Stegosaurus fossils ever found.
Standing at 11.5 feet (3.5 meters) tall and stretching 27 feet (8.2 meters) long, Apex is displayed in a dynamic pose, with its spiked tail raised, as though preparing to defend itself. While the specimen belongs to Griffin, it has been generously loaned to the museum for public display and research.
The fossil will be on exhibit at the AMNH for four years, after which a cast will replace the original bones. During its time at the museum, Apex will be made available to the research community, with a focus on species identification and studying metabolism and growth in stegosauruses. Researchers will also conduct detailed CT scans and analyze bone samples, including a thigh bone, to further scientific understanding.
In addition to loaning the fossil, Griffin has funded a three-year postdoctoral fellowship dedicated to studying Apex, ensuring that the dinosaur’s scientific value is preserved for years to come.