Triceratops skeleton to be auctioned off on platform founded by Pharrell Williams
Triceratops skeleton to be auctioned on platform created by Pharrell Williams
A rare dinosaur fossil that has resided in a Wyoming museum for over 25 years is set to enter the auction market, marking a notable shift as interest in prehistoric remains continues to soar. The specimen, named ‘Trey,’ will be available for bidding from March 17 to 31 on Joopiter, a digital marketplace launched by Grammy-winning artist Pharrell Williams.
Estimated to fetch between $4.5 million and $5.5 million, the auction highlights a growing trend where once-museum-bound fossils are now sought after as valuable collectibles. Trey, a 17-foot-long herbivore, was first unveiled at the Wyoming Dinosaur Center in Thermopolis during its 1995 opening and remained on exhibit until 2023.
Discovery and legacy
Unearthed in 1993 near Lusk, Wyoming, Trey was found by Lee Campbell and the late Allen Graffham, a prominent paleontologist known for his groundbreaking discoveries. The fossil’s name, derived from its distinctive three-horned face, reflects its unique appearance and historical significance.
Joopiter’s global sales director, Caitlin Donovan, noted the increasing appeal of dinosaur fossils as investment assets. ‘The public’s fascination with these ancient creatures is driving a cultural shift,’ she remarked, emphasizing their growing popularity over traditional art forms like old master paintings.
“This one is connected to people and undoubtedly has inspired young children who’ve seen it to pursue a career in paleontology,” said Andre LuJan, a paleontologist involved in the fossil’s preparation for auction. “It has this cultural aspect that a lot of fossils just simply don’t have.”
The fossil’s journey to Singapore began after a private sale, where it will be showcased for limited viewings through the end of March. A photo of the triceratops spine, displayed at Le Freeport in Singapore, underscores its visual impact and historical value.
Market milestones and concerns
Recent auction records illustrate the industry’s explosive growth. In 2024, a stegosaurus skeleton named ‘Apex’ sold for $44.6 million, surpassing the previous benchmark of $31.8 million set in 2020 for the Tyrannosaurus rex ‘Stan.’ Another example saw a young dinosaur specimen exceed its $4 million to $6 million estimate, ultimately fetching over $30 million in a heated bidding contest.
“People are now starting to see the value in investing in these as assets,” LuJan added. “We’ve had this paradigm shift in what owning dinosaurs means to society.”
Despite the enthusiasm, some experts warn that the booming market risks losing critical scientific specimens. “Public museums are getting totally priced out of an exploding market,” said Kristi Curry Rogers, a paleontologist at Minnesota’s Macalester College. “If a fossil goes into a private collection without guaranteed access, that data is essentially lost to science.”
LuJan expressed hope that Trey could follow the path of ‘Apex,’ which was loaned to New York’s American Museum of Natural History after its sale. “People are naturally gravitating toward these benevolent situations where they loan them long-term to museums or donate them to emerging institutions,” he said.
