Fossil. Baby dinosaur auctioned for 26.2 million euros

The skeleton of a baby Ceratosaurus was sold for 30.5 million dollars (around 26.2 million euros) at an auction held by Sotheby's, in New York, as part of Geek Week dedicated to science, technology and culture, reports the New York Times .

The piece is considered unique in the world because it is the only known baby specimen of the species that lived during the Jurassic period, approximately 154 million years ago. To date, only four complete Ceratosaurus skeletons have been found, and this is the only one that corresponds to a baby.

The only known juvenile Ceratosaurus fossil just sold in the #SothebysNewYork sale room for a staggering $30.5 million, making it the third most valuable dinosaur fossil ever sold at auction. #AuctionUpdate

The Natural History sale continues LIVE: https://t.co/VFFgQ4UVDB pic.twitter.com/f0BlXrWwkZ

— Sotheby's (@Sothebys) July 16, 2025

The fossil surpassed its initial estimate , which ranged from four to six million dollars. The auction concluded after six minutes of intense bidding , making it the third-most expensive dinosaur skeleton ever auctioned by Sotheby's—behind only the skeleton of Stegosaurus "Apex," acquired for 40.7 million euros in 2024, and the Tyrannosaurus rex "Sue," sold for 7.5 million in 1997.

The skeleton was discovered in 1996 at the iconic Bone Cabin Quarry paleontological site in Wyoming. The specimen measures 3.2 meters long and 1.9 meters high , and includes 139 original bone elements, including a complete skull with a horn-shaped nasal protrusion and a series of plates along the back and tail. Sotheby's Vice President for Science and Natural History, Cassandra Hatton, described the fossil as "a marvel of prehistoric preservation," highlighting its scientific and aesthetic value.

Despite ongoing concerns from the scientific community regarding the sale of important fossils at private auctions—fears that these pieces will end up beyond the reach of researchers and the public—Sotheby's assured that the buyer intends to donate the skeleton to a scientific institution, thus enhancing its preservation . This practice, increasingly common among high-profile collectors, helps mitigate criticism of the privatization of globally important paleontological heritage.