One of the most complete T-Rex specimens in the world will be auctioned at a sale organized by Christie’s on October 6 in New York, and could break the record in the matter.
Seven to eight tons during his lifetime, 4 meters high, 12 long, Stan is a worthy representative of the queen species of dinosaurs, which fascinates the whole world.
67 million years old, it was discovered in 1987 near Buffalo, South Dakota.
Paleontologists at the Geological Research Institute in Black Hills, South Dakota, spent more than 30,000 labor hours digging it up and rebuilding its 188-bone skeleton.
It has since been used in casts intended for dozens of museums around the world, eager to acquire a copy of this exceptional Tyrannosaurus rex, who died at the age of twenty, according to researchers’ estimates.
After a trip to Japan, it has been exhibited since 1996 at the Black Hills Institute museum.
The sale comes following a dispute between directors of the institute, explained James Hyslop, head of the scientific instruments, globes and natural history department at Christie’s in London.
The law authorizes the sale when the specimen has been discovered on private land, which is the case here.
The fossilized skeleton is estimated at between 6 and 8 million dollars, which puts it within reach of the absolute record in the matter, set by Sue, another T-Rex sold in October 1997 at Sotheby’s for 8.4 million dollars at the Field Chicago Museum of Natural History.
Only about fifty T-Rexs have been discovered since the first, in 1902.
“There aren’t a lot of complete skeletons,” said James Hyslop. “The opportunities to acquire such a complete T-Rex only present themselves once in a generation. “
Christie’s expects sustained interest from foreign collectors. “It would become the centerpiece of any natural history museum,” argues James Hyslop.
“The T-Rex has iconic status,” he says, which is reflected in its price. “It’s THE dinosaur that draws the crowds. “
Stan will be on display in one of the windows at Christie’s headquarters in New York City from Wednesday through October 21.
The head being too heavy, a replica was placed on the skeleton. The real one is presented alongside.
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