The skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus rex, recognized as one of the largest and most complete specimens ever preserved, has been sold at a Sotheby's auction for a record $50.1 million, the Associated Press reports.

According to Sotheby's, the specimen, named “Gus,” became the most expensive dinosaur fossil ever offered at auction, surpassing the nearly $45 million paid for a stegosaurus in 2024. Previously, the record belonged to the T. rex skeleton “Stan,” which was sold in 2020 for $32 million.

The fossil is about 67 million years old. The specimen is approximately 61% complete, including a well-preserved skull, two feet, and a number of rare bones. The skeleton stands about 3.8 meters tall and measures 11.5 meters in length. The fossil was discovered in 2021 on a ranch in South Dakota and was named after the landowner, Gary Leiking.

The winning bidder, who participated by phone and wished to remain anonymous, outbid six rivals during a ten-minute round. Before the auction began, the lot had been estimated at $20 million to $30 million.

The Society of Vertebrate Paleontology urged the new owner to transfer the specimen to a museum, noting its scientific importance and the need to ensure access for researchers. Previously, record-breaking dinosaur specimens — the stegosaurus “Apex,” the tyrannosaurs “Sue” and “Stan” — were transferred to major museums in the United States and the UAE.