Gus T. Rex Fossil Expected to Fetch $20-30 Million at Sotheby's

On July 14 in New York, Sotheby's Natural History Auction will feature a 67-million-year-old Tyrannosaurus rex fossil known as Gus, which is projected to fetch between $20-30 million—the highest estimate ever for a dinosaur skeleton. This specimen was unearthed over three summers from 2021 to 2023 on land owned by the late rancher Gary "Gus" Licking in Harding County, South Dakota, by Thomas Heitkamp and his team from Theropoda Expeditions. Gus is roughly 63 percent intact, comprising 183 fossil bones, including a well-preserved skull, two feet, and a rare pair of humeri. Measuring approximately 38 feet long and 12.5 feet tall, Gus ranks among the most complete T. rex skeletons, alongside Stan and Sue. Sotheby's vice-chairman Cassandra Hatton emphasized that Gus offers a unique opportunity for collectors and museums. The dinosaur market has experienced skyrocketing prices, with Stan selling for $31.8 million at Christie's in 2020 and Apex, a Stegosaurus skeleton, achieving $44 million at Sotheby's in 2024. Gus will be displayed at the Breuer building from July 1-14.