On July 17, 2024, Sothebys would make history by auctioning off Apex the Stegosaurus for a then record-breaking price of $44.6 million. This would be the highest amount ever paid for a dinosaur fossil at auction. The buyer did not stay quiet for long and was revealed to be hedge fund billionaire Ken Griffin. This sale helped establish dinosaur fossils as an elite collectible being pursued by the billionaire class. Since there are only a small number of these prehistoric relics in existence, those that can afford to play in this market are treating the remains of these magnificent creatures as an alternate asset class on par with fine art. This is causing some controversy amongst scientists and researchers who study the origins of these great beasts. Truth be told, when this sale ended, I was more upset that a Stegosaurus fossil was then the most expensive dinosaur fossil in existence. Just ask any kid who grew up in the 1980s, and we will tell you that Tyrannosaurus Rex is and always should be the real king of the dinosaurs. Luckily in just two short years, T. Rex would be back on top. Because on July 14, 2026, Sothebys would shatter their own existing auction record when the fossil of Gus the T. Rex would sell at a new record-breaking price of $50.1 million, eclipsing the sale of Apex the Stegosaurus. While the buyer has yet to come forward, the sale garnered the attention of the news media as well as creating some critics among the scientific community. For the uninitiated, Gus the T. Rex is approximately 67 million years old and contains 183 fossil bones. The skeleton is only 61 percent complete, but it was one of the most complete T. Rex examples ever discovered. Gus is also about 38 feet long and 12.5 feet tall, with a skull that has a width of 54 inches! Storing or displaying, let alone insuring, this monstrous beast is going to be no cheap and easy task. Gus was originally discovered in the Hell Creek formation located in Harding County, S.D. His discovery was very exciting news among paleontologists, and he was named Gus after the late landowner whose land the fossil was found on. Scientologists who study these relics are concerned that the few that exist are disappearing into private collections. Some of these critics lament that the sale of these artifacts should be regulated and mandated by federal laws. Buyers and collectors of these artifacts argue that is no different from collecting one-of-a-kind fine art that is also in limited supply. The controversy stems from the fact these were once living creatures that we still dont have a complete understanding of, and once one of these specimens enters private ownership, the scientific community loses the direct ability to study these specimens in greater detail. Other countries have much stricter laws on the books that can help govern the sale (or lack thereof) of similar artifacts. Many outspoken billionaires who collect these items have expressed their willingness to loan these important artifacts to museums and institutions of higher learning, but some critics within the scientific community remain skeptical. This is because when an item like this sells for over $50 million at auction, the cost of insuring the artifact falls on behalf of the institution that is taking on the item for loan. This can become very cost prohibitive as most museums rely on public support and donations to remain solvent. Insuring just one item for $50 million and having to pay storage and transportation charges as well is quite an expense. This also does not consider the time and knowledge it takes to assemble and disassemble the skeleton as it goes on display for a limited amount of time. In my studies to understand the ethics of this, I came across an interesting online debate that featured some well-known high-profile collectors within the fossil collecting community as well as some verified paleontologists who research these specimens. The discussion was quite fascinating and unlike most internet discourse in this day and age. There was no name calling or insults, but just an examination of the facts. Some members of the fossil collecting community pointed out that a lot of these specimens were found (much like Gus the T. Rex) on private land. This is a fair point as it raises the question as to whether the government has a right to dictate what is done with something of this nature that is found on land owned by a private individual. Other members of the fossil collecting community attempted to make the argument that this is no different than collecting meteors or even rock and mineral collecting. This is a valid point, but most rocks and minerals are not just found in one location and are also not as scarce as prehistoric fossils. Meteor collectors, much like fossil collectors, do get their fair share of criticism from some members of the scientific community as well. The main problem voiced by the scientific community in this debate was that once these creatures end up in private hands, having any kind of access to these artifacts is next to impossible, regardless of what the buyers of these relics want you to believe. Unfortunately, I dont think this is an issue that will be discussed by the government anytime soon. This is especially concerning given the fact that most of the people who can afford to buy these exquisite specimens as investments are well-known political party donors. Politics aside, whoever had dinosaur fossils becoming collectibles of the billionaire class on your 2026 bingo card, you win! But the real question we should be asking is, at what cost? Regardless, this is definitely a topic worth digging into (pun intended). Until next time. Shawn Surmick has been an avid collector since the age of 12. He currently resides in his hometown of Boyertown, Pa., and is a passionate collector of antiques and collectibles. His articles focus on various topics affecting the marketplace.