Nanotyrannus Skeleton Jodi Headed to Sotheby’s Auction

Nanotyrannus Fossil Jodi Heads to Sotheby’s Auction With a $6 Million Starting Price

A rare dinosaur skeleton known as “Jodi” is heading to a New York auction block with an expected price tag of $6 million to $9 million, sparking fresh debate among scientists over the commercial trade of prehistoric fossils. Standing roughly 2 meters tall and measuring nearly 6 meters long, the specimen consists of about 191 bone elements, including a nearly complete and well-preserved skull.

The carnivorous specimen from the Cretaceous period goes on sale October 27 at Sotheby’s in Manhattan, according to reporting by Media Indonesia. The auction arrives on the heels of a record-breaking summer for the auction house, which sold a Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton nicknamed “Gus” for $50.1 million in July 2026. Sotheby’s describes Jodi as one of only three known skeletons of its kind in the world and the first to reach the open market since researchers officially confirmed the genus.

Decades of Debate Over a Contested Genus

For decades, paleontologists debated whether Nanotyrannus represented a distinct dinosaur genus or merely an immature T. rex. The scientific consensus shifted in October 2025, when researchers published a study analyzing growth rings inside the fossil bones. That research concluded the individual had reached physical maturity rather than juvenile status.

“In a very long time, it was thought to be a juvenile T. rex,” Megan Jenkins, a paleontologist from the University of Portsmouth, told BBC Radio in comments reported by news.okezone.com. “However, its size is much smaller and its body shape is much slimmer. This dinosaur looks very slender and lean, with blade-like teeth that serve to slice meat.”

Scientific Pushback Against Private Sale

The upcoming auction has drawn sharp criticism from research institutions and academic societies. The Society of Vertebrate Paleontology has urged that scientifically significant specimens be placed in public museums or research institutions rather than private collections, ensuring open access for researchers and the public, Media Indonesia reported.

Cassandra Hatton, global head of science and popular culture at Sotheby’s, defended the sale while acknowledging the prehistoric landscape. “What is really interesting is that until they proved the existence of this genus, we thought that T. rex was the only apex predator in the Cretaceous period,” Hatton said, as reported by Media Indonesia. “Now we know that they coexisted.” By comparison, other known Nanotyrannus specimens remain secured in public repositories, such as the individual discovered alongside a Triceratops in the “Dueling Dinosaurs” specimen housed at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, and another housed at the Burpee Museum of Natural History in Illinois.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Jodi Auction

What makes the Nanotyrannus Jodi skeleton different from a young T. rex?

Researchers confirmed in October 2025 that Nanotyrannus is a separate genus based on bone growth rings showing the animal was fully grown. According to reports from Media Indonesia, Jodi features a much slimmer body shape, longer limb proportions, and blade-like teeth suited for slicing flesh, whereas a young T. rex possessed a heavier and more sturdy build.

How many complete Nanotyrannus skeletons exist?

Scientists recognize only three reasonably complete skeletons belonging to the genus. Out of these three specimens, the Jodi skeleton heading to Sotheby’s is the only one entering the private commercial market, while the other two remain in public institutions like the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and the Burpee Museum of Natural History in Illinois.

When and where will the auction take place?

The auction is scheduled for October 27 at Sotheby’s auction house headquarters in Manhattan, New York. Bidding for the skeleton is expected to start between $6 million and $9 million.