Nearly flawless 150-million-year-old Stegosaurus fossil to be auctioned off for as much as $6M
This dino is going from the Mesozoic era to Manhattan.
A nearly perfect 150-million-year-old Stegosaurus fossil named Apex will soon hit the auction block — and is expected to fetch as much as $6 million.
The impressive skeleton — which stands 11 feet tall and is 27 feet long from nose to tail — was uncovered in May 2022 just outside of Dinosaur, Colorado.
![150-million-year-old fossil of Stegosaurus specimen is on display at Sotheby's in New York on July 10, 2024](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/2024-fossil-dubbed-apex-paleontologist-85226451.jpg?w=1024)
Nearly 80% of Apex’s bones — 254 out of an estimated 319 — were recovered, making it one if not the most complete and best preserved of its kind.
Bids will start at a cool $3 million when the Sotheby’s auction in New York begins July 17.
The auction house estimates the dino will go for $4 million to $6 million.
A majority of recovered skeletons are never actually completed, with the first full skeleton found in 2020, according to the University of Cambridge.
Many dinosaurs on display around the world, including Apex, have additional 3D-modeled or sculpted bones added on to make it appear complete.
![150-million-year-old fossil of Stegosaurus specimen is on display at Sotheby's in New York on July 10, 2024](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/2024-fossil-dubbed-apex-paleontologist-85226376.jpg?w=1024)
A stegosaurus named Sophie previously held the honor of being the largest and, technically, is still the most complete with 85% of its bones.
However, Apex is 30% larger than Sophie and is the third dinosaur the fine arts company has auctioned off in the last six years.
Based on its remains, Apex was likely a relatively unbothered king of Colorado, only ailed by arthritis with no evidence of any combat-related injuries or scavenging after passing.
The Big Apple is no stranger to notable fossil auctions, with Leonardo DiCaprio and Nicolas Cage locking horns in a fight over a tyrannosaurus skull in 2007.
Apex will be featured at Sotheby’s New York City galleries until the auction.
The display is free and open to the public and could be the last chance to see the dinosaur depending on who the lucky bidder is.