Jurassic Icons: Rare Allosaurus and Stegosaurus Skeletons Sold for Millions

The live auction of the Jurassic icons Allosaurus and Stegosaurus held in Christie’s King Street London house in early December 2024 attracted unprecedented attention. One of the items sold was a pair of Allosaurus fossils. This apex predator from the Jurassic Period likely lived between 155 and 145 million years ago. The auction estimate of the skeletons of a juvenile and adult Allosaurus dinosaur was far surpassed when they sold for £8,130,000. 

One buyer paid £4,275,000 for the skeleton of a Stegosaurus, an iconic herbivore from the Jurassic Period famous for its distinctive armored plates and pointed tail. In total, the price for all of the rare fossils combined came to a whopping £12,405,000.

“It has been an immense privilege to offer these extraordinary dinosaur fossils. This landmark auction, showcasing three dinosaurs for the first time at Christie's and in London, marks a truly once-in-a-lifetime moment. We are thrilled with the results, which reflects the lasting allure of these remarkable specimens and their unparalleled insight into the ancient world,” said James Hyslop, head of science and natural history at Christie’s London.