Apex, the most expensive dinosaur fossil ever discovered, is going on view at the American Museum of Natural History, a major scientific and cultural institution.
Thought to be the largest and one of the most complete stegosaurus specimens ever found, the 150-million-year-old fossil goes on display on 8 December.
The specimen measures 11.5 feet tall and 27 feet long and is nearly 80 percent complete. It will be located inside the entrance to the Gilder Center, the museum’s new wing.
Apex is on loan from American hedge fund manager, entrepreneur and investor Ken Griffin, who bought it at an auction this summer for $45 million, the most ever paid for dinosaur remains.
“I am grateful that millions of visitors and researchers will now be able to see and learn from this magnificent specimen of the late Jurassic Period,” said Griffin.
“The joy and awe every child feels coloring a stegosaurus with their crayons will now be brought to life for the millions of people who have the opportunity to see this epic dinosaur in person.”
Apex was discovered in May 2022 by commercial paleontologist Jason Cooper. The fossil is set to be on view at the museum for four years, after which a cast will take its place.
“This partnership allows Apex to have pride of place at a museum world-renowned for its dinosaur collection and for its longstanding leadership in paleontology and, even more exciting, enables us to pursue specialized stegosaurus research centered around this extraordinary and scientifically important specimen,” said Sean Decatur, president of the American Museum of Natural History.
Apex to be studied at AMNH
“We hope our millions of visitors are as awe-struck as we are by Apex and look forward to the research breakthroughs ahead.”
Roger Benson, the museum’s curator of paleontology, added: “As exciting as is it is to have this dinosaur on display, it is even more exciting to have the opportunity to study it and make important scientific data available for research.”
Images courtesy of the American Museum of Natural History
