Rare dinosaur skeleton sparks controversy ahead of multi-million dollar auction

A rare dinosaur skeleton of “Nanotyrannus” is set to go on auction at Sotheby’s in New York, with an estimated value of $6 million to $9 million, reigniting a scientific and commercial debate that has persisted for decades.

The skeleton, named “Judy,” is significant as one of only three known specimens of this species and the first to be offered for sale after its scientific identity was firmly established as a genus distinct from Tyrannosaurus rex.

The story dates back to 1946, when a skull discovered in Montana sparked prolonged controversy among paleontologists over whether it belonged to a juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex or to a separate species.

A study published in October 2025 resolved the dispute after identifying more than 150 differences between the two groups, confirming that Nanotyrannus was smaller and more agile.

The specimen on offer measures approximately 6 meters (19.7 feet) in length and 2 meters (6.6 feet) in height, and dates back around 67 million years. However, its sale has also reignited criticism from researchers who argue that private auctions may remove rare fossils from museums and universities, limiting their availability for scientific research and public access.