T-Rex Skeleton 'Gus' to Auction for Up to $30 Million in July

The most complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton ever offered at auction, nicknamed Gus, is expected to fetch between $20 million and $30 million when it goes under the hammer at Sotheby's New York on July 14, 2026. The 67-million-year-old fossil, discovered in 2021 on a ranch in Harding County, South Dakota, comprises 183 bones representing roughly 63% of the animal's total skeleton Source: portafolioco.

Discovery and Naming

The specimen was unearthed over three excavation seasons from 2021 to 2023 on the property of rancher Gary "Gus" Licking, who initially found teeth and bone fragments. Licking died shortly after the dig began, and the skeleton was named in his honor Source: excelsiormx. The paleontological team led by Thomas Heitkamp spent three additional years preparing and restoring the remains.

Scientific Significance

Gus stands out for its completeness and size: it measures 11.5–11.6 meters in length and 3.8 meters in height, with a femur longer than that of the famous T. rex Stan. Its skull is 82% intact, including rare preserved teeth. The skeleton also shows evidence of healed fractures and bite marks from other tyrannosaurs, providing clues about cannibalistic or scavenging behavior Source: portafolioco.

Auction Context

The $20–30 million estimate is the highest ever assigned to a dinosaur fossil at auction, surpassing the $31.8 million paid for Stan in 2020 and the $44 million for the stegosaur Apex in 2024 Source: excelsiormx. Before the sale, Gus will be displayed free of charge at Sotheby's Breuer building as part of Geek Week.