Ken Griffin Acquires Largest Stegosaurus Fossil Ever Found
Billionaire hedge fund owner Ken Griffin has made headlines with his purchase of the largest stegosaurus fossil ever discovered, known as “Apex,” for a record $44.6 million. The acquisition, made at a Sotheby’s auction in New York, significantly surpassed the initial estimate of $6 million.
A high-profile purchase
While Sotheby‘s did not disclose the buyer’s identity, sources close to Griffin confirmed to the Financial Times that he was the successful bidder. Griffin, the founder of Citadel hedge fund, plans to loan the 11-foot-tall, 27-foot-long fossil to a U.S. institution.
This purchase adds to Griffin’s collection of notable artifacts. In 2018, he donated $16.5 million to Chicago’s Field Museum for the display of the largest known dinosaur, a titanosaur. In 2021, he paid $43.2 million for a copy of the U.S. Constitution, which he loaned to the Crystal Bridges Museum in Arkansas.
Sotheby’s collaborated closely with the owner throughout the process to ensure the highest standards of documentation and transparency. The auction house has a history of selling significant dinosaur fossils, having first auctioned “Sue” the Tyrannosaurus rex in 1997.
The significance of ‘Apex’
Discovered in May 2022 in Colorado’s Morrison Formation near the town of Dinosaur, the “Apex” fossil was fully excavated by October 2023. Sotheby’s named it “Apex” to highlight its prominence within the Stegosaurus family. The fossil’s excavation, preparation, and sale set a new standard for future discoveries.
Universal fascination with stegosaurus
Cassandra Hatton, Sotheby’s Global Head of Science & Popular Culture, emphasized the importance of “Apex,” calling it “one of the best fossils of its kind ever unearthed.” She noted the enduring appeal of the Stegosaurus, whose distinctive silhouette has fascinated generations.
The buyer’s identity was first reported by the Wall Street Journal.