# Dinosaur skeleton sold for $47.3 million at Sotheby's auction

- Published: 2026-11-06 15:51 UTC
- Section: Life & Health › Biology & biochemistry
- Tags: dinosaur fossil auction, Jodi dinosaur skeleton, Nanotyrannus lancensis, Sothebys fossil sale, paleontological access, Tyrannosaurus debate
- URL: https://realtech.media/news/rt-6e7dfccf0c8ad5b968f84dfc_dinosaur_skeleton_sold/

**A 67-million-year-old fossil named Jodi was acquired for $47.3 million, sparking discussions over scientific research access.**

![Dinosaur skeleton sold for $47.3 million at Sotheby's auction](https://sgzwpqqelzmajkcubgkl.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/rt-media/2026/11/a52ad75d920bc054.jpg)
*catracalivre.com.br*

In October 2026, a fossilized dinosaur skeleton known as Jodi was sold at a Sotheby's auction for $47.3 million following a twelve-minute bidding competition, according to catracalivre.com.br [1]. The specimen had been originally discovered in 2019 on a private property in Montana by landowner Jodi Pierson, with the subsequent excavation led by her cousin Clayton Phipps [1]. The auction house had initially estimated the lot at $6 million to $9 million before six interested parties drove the final price up by more than five times [1].

## Anatomical details and classification

The fossil consists of key structural elements of a carnivorous dinosaur dating back approximately 67 million years [1]. The recovered individual measures about 5.8 meters in length and includes a skull, teeth, ribs, vertebrae, and limb bones [1]. Such structural completeness allows researchers to analyze proportions and anatomy in far greater detail than isolated bone fragments [1].

The specimen was classified as *Nanotyrannus cf. lancensis*, placing it directly into a long-standing debate among paleontologists [1]. For decades, specialists have disputed whether *Nanotyrannus* represents a distinct predatory genus or an early juvenile stage of *Tyrannosaurus rex* [1]. While studies published in 2025 supported the interpretation of a separate genus, the taxonomic distinction relies heavily on comparative morphological data such as dental, arm, leg, and cranial features belonging to the same individual [1].

## Research access and provenance

The identity of the winning bidder was not publicly disclosed, leaving future access to the physical specimen uncertain [1]. Paleontologists emphasize that scientific progress requires direct access to original bone material for cross-validation, physical measurements, and future re-evaluations [1]. While high-resolution imaging and casts provide useful documentation, private acquisitions carry no automatic guarantee of permanent access for academic teams [1]. Provenance data, rock layer positioning, and precise restoration records remain critical for interpreting the fossil's evolutionary significance [1].

## Sources

1. [catracalivre.com.br](https://catracalivre.com.br/noticias/pecuarista-encontra-esqueleto-de-dinossauro-numa-propriedade-dos-estados-unidos-em-2019-especialistas-passam-anos-discutindo-a-especie-e-fossil-e-vendido-por-us-473-milhoes-em-apenas-12-minutos)

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Source: RealTech, realtech.media — https://realtech.media/news/rt-6e7dfccf0c8ad5b968f84dfc_dinosaur_skeleton_sold/