One of the largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeletons ever discovered—dubbed ‘Stan’—has gone on display in New York ahead of its highly anticipated auction at Sotheby’s on July 14. Estimated to sell for between $20 million and $30 million, the fossil could set a new world record for a dinosaur specimen sold at auction.
A Remarkable Discovery
‘Stan’ was unearthed in South Dakota during excavations conducted between 2021 and 2023. The dinosaur lived approximately 66 to 72 million years ago, during the Late Cretaceous period. Measuring 11.6 meters (about 38 feet) in length, it ranks among the largest T. rex specimens ever found.
Scientific Significance
The skeleton comprises 183 individual bones and is approximately 63% complete—a rarity among T. rex fossils. Its exceptional preservation makes it one of the most scientifically valuable and visually striking examples of the species known to date.