In a landmark auction event, billionaire Ken Griffin has shattered records by purchasing a stegosaurus skeleton for an astonishing $44.6 million, marking it as the most valuable fossil ever sold at auction. The acquisition of the 150-million-year-old skeleton, nicknamed “Apex,” highlights both the fascination with ancient history and the immense wealth of the buyer.
The stegosaurus skeleton, aptly named “Apex,” stands at an impressive 11 feet tall and spans 27 feet in length, making it the largest of its kind ever discovered. Excavated in Colorado in May 2022, Apex is nearly complete with 254 out of approximately 319 bones intact. The fossil, known for its distinctive spiked tail and plated back, represents a significant find from the late Jurassic period. Ken Griffin, founder and CEO of Citadel, emerged victorious at the Sotheby’s auction in New York after outbidding six other contenders in a fierce 15-minute bidding war. Griffin’s purchase price far exceeded initial expectations, which estimated the skeleton to sell for around $6 million. His acquisition of Apex at 11 times its low estimate underscores the rarity and cultural value attributed to such extraordinary specimens. Griffin, a prominent figure in finance with a net worth of approximately $37.8 billion, expressed his intention to potentially loan Apex to a US institution, ensuring the fossil remains accessible for public appreciation and scientific study.
Apex’s sale to Ken Griffin not only sets a new benchmark in the auction history of fossils but also raises questions about the intersection of private wealth and public heritage. The immense price tag reflects the growing market for rare artifacts and the deep-pocketed collectors willing to invest in pieces of natural history. As Apex joins the ranks of significant scientific discoveries, its future display in a public institution promises to enrich our understanding of prehistoric life for generations to come.
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