Tyrannosaurus Skull Fossil to Be Auctioned... Estimated Top Price 27.5 Billion KRW

76-million-year-old skull... Teeth perfectly preserved
Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton to be showcased at Hong Kong auction

On the 4th, Cassandra Hatton, head of science and popular culture at Sotheby's, is pointing at a Tyrannosaurus rex skull in Harding County, New York City. Photo by AP Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Culture Young Intern Reporter] A 76-million-year-old Tyrannosaurus skull fossil is scheduled to be auctioned in the United States next month. The estimated highest bid is $20 million (approximately 27.5 billion KRW).

On the 8th (local time), The Guardian reported that the best-preserved Tyrannosaurus skull fossil discovered to date will be auctioned at Sotheby's in New York on the 9th of next month.

Nicknamed 'Maximus,' this skull fossil weighs 91 kg and measures 2 meters in length. It was excavated in Harding County, South Dakota, USA. This area is known as the 'capital of Tyrannosaurus' because Tyrannosaurus fossils have been found there twice in the past.

The fossil discoverers themselves are putting this skull fossil up for auction. While most countries designate dinosaur fossils as national property, in the United States, the discoverer holds ownership rights.

The media described it as "one of the most complete specimens discovered so far," adding that "its preservation state is similar to that of museum collections." Henry Gallano, a paleontology consultant at Sotheby's, stated, "Most Tyrannosaurus skull fossils have been destroyed by erosion," and evaluated, "This fossil retains its original form, with even fine and small parts such as teeth well preserved."

This Tyrannosaurus is presumed to have died after fighting with another dinosaur. Cassandra Hatton, head of science and popular culture at Sotheby's, said, "There are two large holes in the skull, suggesting the possibility of a fierce battle with another dinosaur."

Meanwhile, dinosaur fossils are consistently appearing at auctions and fetching high prices. The Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton 'Tyrannosaurus Shen' is scheduled to be presented at the Hong Kong Evening Auction on November 30, with an estimated price of 1.2 to 2 billion Hong Kong dollars (approximately 22 to 36.5 billion KRW). This dinosaur, introduced for the first time in an Asian auction, is estimated to have lived about 66 to 68 million years ago during the Cretaceous period.

Previously, in 2020, the Tyrannosaurus skeleton 'Tyrannosaurus Stan' was sold for a record high of $31,847,500, and in May this year, a raptor skeleton was sold for $12,412,500. Additionally, in July, a Gorgosaurus fossil, known as the most fearsome and fierce carnivorous dinosaur, was sold to an anonymous bidder for $6.1 million (approximately 839 million KRW) at Sotheby's auction in New York.