A 67-Million-Year-Old Dinosaur Fossil Could Fetch $9 Million at Sotheby's
A rare Nanotyrannus skeleton named Jodi is heading to Sotheby's New York, carrying a multimillion-dollar estimate following a significant scientific reclassification.
Sotheby's is preparing to auction Jodi, a 67-million-year-old dinosaur skeleton estimated to sell for $6 million to $9 million USD. Scheduled for October 27, 2026, in New York, the sale presents one of only three Nanotyrannus skeletons currently known to science.
The fossil previously appeared at Frieze London in 2023 under the name Chomper, identified at the time as a juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex and offered for $20 million. Subsequent paleontological research, including a study published in Nature, supported the recognition of Nanotyrannus as a distinct genus rather than an immature T. rex. The reclassification has given the specimen a new scientific identity and a substantially lower market estimate.
Measuring approximately 19.6 feet long and 6.5 feet tall, Jodi is estimated to be 55% complete. Its preserved remains include a nearly complete skull with 35 teeth, four claws, a pelvis and several major bones. The fossil was discovered in 2019 by rancher Jodi Pierson in Montana's Hell Creek Formation and later excavated by commercial paleontologist Clayton Phipps.
The upcoming sale marks the first time a Nanotyrannus skeleton has entered the market since scientific research confirmed the genus's validity. Beyond its rarity, Jodi highlights the growing intersection of paleontology, scientific discovery and high-value collecting.
Online bidding opens October 13, ahead of the live auction at Sotheby's New York on October 27, 2026.
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