Triceratops Skeleton ‘Trey’ Heads to Auction in Singapore

A remarkably well-preserved Triceratops skeleton, nicknamed “Trey,” is set to be auctioned in Singapore, marking a rare event for a dinosaur that once resided in a Wyoming museum. The auction, scheduled from March 17 to 31 on the online platform Joopiter, comes as the market for dinosaur fossils experiences record-high prices.

From Wyoming Museum to Singapore Freeport

Trey was discovered in 1993 near Lusk, Wyoming, by Lee Campbell and the late Allen Graffham, a commercial paleontologist. The 17-foot-long herbivore was a prominent feature at the Wyoming Dinosaur Center in Thermopolis, Wyoming, beginning with the museum’s 1995 grand opening, remaining on loan until 2023. Wyoming News Now reports the fossil was recently sold in a private transaction and transported to Singapore.

Auction Details and Estimated Value

The auction will be hosted on Joopiter, an online auction platform founded by Grammy-winning artist and producer Pharrell Williams. Sources indicate Trey has a pre-auction estimate ranging from $4.5 million to $5.5 million.

Stored in Singapore’s Le Freeport

Currently, the Triceratops skeleton is being held at Le Freeport in Singapore, a high-security storage facility often referred to as “Asia’s Fort Knox.” CNN reports the facility provides ultimate privacy for the ultra-rich to store valuable assets, including art, jewels, and gold. The building features reinforced vault doors and stringent security measures, including bulletproof glass and full-body scans.

Significance of the Auction

Paleontologist Andre LuJan, who collaborated with Joopiter in preparing the fossil for auction, highlighted the unique cultural connection Trey has with the public. He noted that the skeleton inspired many young people to pursue careers in paleontology due to its long-term display at the Wyoming Dinosaur Center. The auction represents a rare instance of a museum-exhibited dinosaur being offered for sale.

The Rising Market for Dinosaur Fossils

The auction of Trey occurs amidst a growing trend of dinosaur fossils becoming increasingly popular investments, once largely the domain of museums, and universities.