Nanotyrannus skeleton to be auctioned in New York, estimated up to $9m

Sale of newly-confirmed dinosaur genus sparks debate over private fossil ownership

By LineZotpaper AI staff

Published27 October 2026

Updated27 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Sources3 outlets

Illustration: Nanotyrannus skeleton to be auctioned in New York, estimated up to $9m

The mounted skeleton of a Nanotyrannus, a dinosaur recently confirmed to be a distinct genus from Tyrannosaurus rex, will be auctioned by Sotheby's in New York on Tuesday with an estimate of at least $6m (£4.5m) and expected to fetch up to $9m.

Nicknamed "Jodi", the roughly 10-foot-tall (3m) skeleton consists of about 191 fossil-bone elements with a "beautifully preserved, virtually complete skull", according to Sotheby's. The auction house described it as an "excellent exhibition-ready" specimen and one of only three such skeletons known to science.

The skeleton was discovered in the US state of Montana by rancher Jodi Pierson on her land in the Hall Creek Formation. It was later excavated by commercial palaeontologist Clayton Phipps, who also discovered the famous "Dueling Dinosaurs" fossil, which shows a Nanotyrannus and a Triceratops apparently in combat. That specimen, found eight miles from "Jodi", became crucial to research published last October by Lindsay Zanno and James Napoli that classified Nanotyrannus as separate from T. rex, ending decades of debate.

The sale comes as some scientists warn that auctions could herald a new era of fossil collecting by the ultra-rich. Prof Steve Brusatte, a palaeontologist at the University of Edinburgh, told the BBC it was "harrowing" to think the skeleton "could disappear into the vaults of a collector rather than displayed on a museum where it can wow and inspire kids and families and the public at large". However, Megan Jenkins, a palaeontologist at the University of Portsmouth, acknowledged the costs involved in excavation, telling the BBC's Today programme: "I don't begrudge the people involved for wanting to sell it for such a large amount of money... a lot of them have ended up in the public eye... these things without a doubt will end up in a museum at some point."

The auction follows the sale of a Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton, dubbed "Gus", which set a record of $50.1m at Sotheby's in July.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

The auction of a rare dinosaur skeleton could set a significant price record for a Nanotyrannus specimen, highlighting the growing market for private fossil sales.
The sale occurs just months after scientific confirmation that Nanotyrannus is a distinct genus, making this skeleton one of the best examples available for study.
The outcome may influence whether future important fossils end up in museums or private collections, affecting scientific access and public education.

Background

Nanotyrannus was long believed to be a juvenile T. rex until a study published last October by US researchers Lindsay Zanno and James Napoli confirmed it as a separate genus. The two dinosaurs lived alongside each other in the Late Cretaceous period, roughly 67 million years ago. The "Dueling Dinosaurs" fossil, which preserved a Nanotyrannus and Triceratops in apparent conflict, was key to that classification. The sale of "Jodi" follows a record $50.1m auction of a T. rex skeleton in July and raises ongoing questions about whether scientifically important fossils should be sold privately.

Key Perspectives

Prof Steve Brusatte (palaeontologist, University of Edinburgh): Said it was "harrowing" that the skeleton could disappear into a private collection rather than be displayed in a museum where it could inspire the public. He previously called the auction of the T. rex skeleton "concerning" and said he hoped such sales would not become a trend. Megan Jenkins (palaeontologist, University of Portsmouth): Acknowledged the time, effort and money that go into excavating specimens, saying she did not "begrudge the people involved for wanting to sell it for such a large amount of money". She added that many such fossils ultimately end up in museums.

What to Watch

The final sale price when bidding ends on Tuesday, and whether it reaches the $9m upper estimate.
Whether the buyer is a museum or a private collector, and if any public display conditions are attached.
Potential impact on future fossil auctions, including whether scientists will have access to the specimen for study.

Sources

Nanotyrannus skeleton goes to auction in New York with £4.5m price tag · BBC News
Nanotyrannus skeleton goes to auction in New York with £4.5m price tag · BBC News
Nanotyrannus skeleton goes to auction in New York with £4.5m price tag · BBC News

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 9 supported.

Show each claim

Partly supportedThe headline describes $9m as the skeleton’s estimate, rather than as the amount it is expected to fetch.BBC News: “The Late Cretaceous carnivore is expected to fetch up to $9m when it goes under the hammer on Tuesday.”
Partly supportedThe sale sparks debate over private fossil ownership.BBC News: “The sales comes as some in the scientific community debate whether dinosaur remains should be sold privately.”
SupportedNanotyrannus was confirmed as a distinct genus from T. rex.BBC News: “The sale comes a year after researchers confirmed that the skeleton belongs to a distinct genus.”
SupportedThe skeleton has a price tag of at least $6m (£4.5m) and is expected to fetch up to $9m.BBC News: “with a price-tag of at least $6m (£4.5m). The Late Cretaceous carnivore is expected to fetch up to $9m”
SupportedThe skeleton will be auctioned by Sotheby’s in New York on Tuesday.BBC News: “Nicknamed “Jodi”, the roughly 10-foot-tall (3m) skeleton will be auctioned by Sotheby’s in New York.”
SupportedBrusatte called it “harrowing” to think the skeleton could disappear into a collector’s vaults rather than be displayed publicly.BBC News: “it’s harrowing to think it could disappear into the vaults of a collector rather than displayed on a museum where it can wow and inspire kids and families and the public at large”
SupportedJenkins said she did not begrudge those involved for wanting to sell the skeleton and said such specimens would end up in a museum.BBC News: “I don’t begrudge the people involved for wanting to sell it for such a large amount of money,” she said. “Although its a scary prospect, actually a lot of them have ended up in the public eye... these things without a doubt will end end up in a museum at some point.”
SupportedThe skeleton is roughly 10 feet (3m) tall and has about 191 fossil-bone elements.BBC News: “Nicknamed “Jodi”, the roughly 10-foot-tall (3m) skeleton”
Partly supportedThe “Dueling Dinosaurs” specimen was found eight miles from Jodi and became crucial to research published last October by Zanno and Napoli.BBC News: “That specimen, which shows the remains of a Nanotyrannus and Triceratops apparently in combat, was found eight miles (13km) away from “Jodi” in 2006. The “Dueling Dinosaurs” discovery became crucial to the research published by Lindsay Zanno and James Napoli”
SupportedSotheby’s described Jodi as exhibition-ready, with a virtually complete skull, and as one of only three such skeletons known to science.BBC News: “Sotheby’s described “Jodi” as an “excellent exhibition-ready” skeleton with about 191 fossil-bone elements and a “beautifully preserved, virtually complete skull”. The auction house added that the Nanotyrannus is “one of only three such skeletons known to science.””
SupportedRancher Jodi Pierson discovered the skeleton on her land in Montana’s Hall Creek Formation, and Clayton Phipps later excavated it.BBC News: “The skeleton was discovered in the US state of Montana by rancher Jodi Pierson on her land in the Hall Creek Formation, a heavily studied geological site. It was later excavated by commercial palaeontologist Clayton Phipps.”
SupportedThe auction follows Sotheby’s July sale of Gus for a record $50.1m.BBC News: “The auction comes after Sotheby’s sold a Tyrannosaurus rex, dubbed “Gus”, for a record $50.1m (£37.4m) in July.”