Rare dinosaur skeleton up for auction at $9 million price tag

An unusually complete skeleton of Nanotyrannus, a diminutive relative of Tyrannosaurus rex, is heading to auction following its discovery six years ago. The fossil, which has remained in private hands since its excavation in 2019, is expected to fetch approximately $9 million when it goes on sale.

Nanotyrannus specimens are considered scientifically valuable due to their scarcity in the fossil record. The dinosaur, which roamed North America during the Late Cretaceous period, was significantly smaller than its famous cousin Tyrannosaurus rex, typically measuring around 5-6 meters in length. Well-preserved skeletal remains of this species are rarely available for public sale.

The specimen's quality and completeness have drawn considerable interest from both private collectors and paleontological institutions ahead of the auction. The sale represents one of the most significant offerings of theropod dinosaur material in recent years.

Private sales of dinosaur fossils have become increasingly common, though they remain contentious within the scientific community. Paleontologists have expressed concerns that important specimens entering private collections limit their accessibility for research purposes. Nevertheless, auction houses continue to facilitate sales of significant fossil material to collectors worldwide.