Rare Ceratosaurus Fossil Sells for $30.5 Million at New York Auction

A rare juvenile Ceratosaurus fossil, one of only four known to exist and the only juvenile among them, sold for $30.5 million at a Sotheby’s auction in New York, far exceeding its initial estimate of $4–6 million. The fossil, dating back approximately 150 million years to the late Jurassic period, was unearthed in Wyoming in 1996 and had been displayed at Utah’s Museum of Ancient Life until 2024. Featuring 139 bone elements and a nearly complete skull, the specimen is regarded as one of the most complete and finest examples of its kind. The sale makes it the third most expensive dinosaur fossil ever auctioned, surpassed only by the Stegosaurus 'Apex' and the T. rex 'Stan.' The buyer, whose identity remains undisclosed, intends to loan the fossil to an institution for public display, preserving its scientific and educational value. The auction also saw a record-setting $5.3 million sale for the largest known Martian meteorite, highlighting continued fascination with natural history collectibles.