Billionaire investor Ken Griffin, founder and CEO of hedge fund Citadel, has set a new record in the world of paleontology. Griffin recently made headlines by purchasing a late Jurassic stegosaurus skeleton for a whopping $44.6 million at a Sotheby’s auction. The price tag on this incredible fossil makes it the most valuable ever sold at auction, far surpassing initial expectations.
The stegosaurus, named “Apex,” is a 150 million-year-old specimen that stands 11 feet tall and measures nearly 27 feet long from nose to tail. What makes this fossil even more remarkable is that it is a nearly complete skeleton, consisting of 254 fossil bone elements. Despite initial estimates predicting a sale price of arounda mere $6 million, Griffin managed to secure the winning bid after a 15-minute bidding war with six other competitors.
Following his victorious bid, Ken Griffin expressed his intention to loan the stegosaurus skeleton to a U.S. institution. This move indicates Griffin’s desire to share this incredible discovery with the public and further contribute to scientific research and education. “Apex was born in America and is going to stay in America!” Griffin proudly declared after the sale.
Apex was excavated on private land in Moffat County, Colorado, where it was discovered in pristine condition. The stegosaurus shows no signs of combat-related injuries or post-mortem scavenging, according to Sotheby’s. This well-preserved specimen provides valuable insights into the ancient world and adds to the growing body of knowledge about dinosaurs.
Ken Griffin’s acquisition of Apex is not the first time that he has made headlines for his generous contributions to the scientific community. In 2018, Griffin donated $16.5 million to Chicago’s Field Museum to support the display of a touchable cast of a massive dinosaur from Argentina. Additionally, in 2021, he outbid a group of cryptocurrency investors to acquire a first-edition copy of the U.S. Constitution for $43.2 million, which he later loaned to the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Arkansas.
Ken Griffin’s purchase of the stegosaurus skeleton known as Apex represents a significant moment in the world of paleontology. Not only has Griffin set a new record for the most valuable fossil ever sold at auction, but he has also demonstrated his commitment to furthering scientific research and education. By sharing this incredible discovery with the public, Griffin is contributing to the preservation and appreciation of our planet’s ancient history.