World's Priciest Dino Fossil 'Apex' Makes Triumphant Return to NYC Museum

The iconic Stegosaurus fossil, affectionately nicknamed "Apex," has been unveiled at a New York City museum, where it will be available for public viewing over the next four years. Known for its immense scientific and cultural significance, the fossil offers visitors a rare opportunity to experience one of history's most fascinating prehistoric creatures up close. Museum officials anticipate that the exhibit will attract global attention and inspire future generations of paleontology enthusiasts.

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The 150-million-year-old fossil of a Stegosaurus, nicknamed "Apex," has been unveiled at the American Museum of Natural History in Manhattan. The fossil, which became the most expensive dinosaur fossil ever sold earlier this year at $44.6 million, was purchased by billionaire Kenneth C. Griffin, founder of the hedge fund Citadel. Griffin has generously loaned the specimen to the museum, where it will remain on display for the next four years. Afterward, a cast will replace the original fossil.

Museum President Sean M. Decatur emphasized the significance of Apex, saying, "It’s one of the dinosaurs that every kid knows how to draw. This is a unique opportunity to have something that resonates in the public imagination but also serves as a critical specimen for research."

Griffin shared his excitement about making Apex accessible to the public, stating, "The joy and awe every child feels coloring a Stegosaurus with their crayons will now be brought to life for millions of people."

The fossil, revealed to reporters and museum employees, will officially open to the public on Sunday, Dec. 8. This marks another milestone in Griffin’s history of supporting paleontology, following his $16.5 million donation to Chicago’s Field Museum in 2017 to exhibit the largest Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton ever discovered.

Museum officials anticipate Apex will inspire awe among visitors while advancing scientific understanding of the prehistoric era.

Discovered in 2022 by paleontologist Jason Cooper on his private land in Colorado, the Stegosaurus fossil nicknamed "Apex" has captivated the world with its nearly complete and remarkably preserved skeleton. Measuring 11 feet tall and 27 feet long, Apex fetched a record-breaking $44.6 million at auction earlier this year, surpassing the previous record of $31.8 million set by a Tyrannosaurus rex in 2020.

Originally expected to sell for $6 million, Apex's value soared due to intense bidding from six participants. Billionaire Kenneth C. Griffin secured the fossil and generously loaned it to the American Museum of Natural History, where it will be on display for four years before a cast replaces it.

The Stegosaurus, known for its iconic double row of kite-shaped plates and spiked tail, lived as a herbivore during the late Jurassic period, approximately 155-150 million years ago. Though armored, the dinosaur was relatively modest in size, reaching up to 30 feet in length and weighing two to three metric tons.

Apex’s discovery and exhibition not only mark a significant moment in paleontology but also offer the public an unprecedented glimpse into the prehistoric world.

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Source: NDTV‍