Ken Griffin, the billionaire investor and CEO of Citadel, made headlines when he purchased a late Jurassic stegosaurus skeleton at a Sotheby’s auction for a staggering $44.6 million. The purchase marked the most valuable fossil ever sold at auction, far exceeding the initial expectations for the sale.
The Remarkable Specimen
The stegosaurus, named “Apex,” is a 150 million-year-old skeleton standing at 11 feet tall and nearly 27 feet long from nose to tail. With 254 fossil bone elements, Apex is considered a nearly complete specimen with no signs of combat-related injuries or post-mortem scavenging. The fossil was excavated on private land in Moffat County, Colorado.
After a fierce 15-minute bidding war with six other participants, Ken Griffin emerged as the proud owner of Apex. It is reported that Griffin intends to loan the stegosaurus to a U.S. institution, emphasizing his commitment to keeping the specimen in America. This aligns with Griffin’s previous philanthropic endeavors, such as his $16.5 million donation to Chicago’s Field Museum for the display of a touchable cast of the largest dinosaur ever discovered.
This purchase adds to Griffin’s impressive collection of rare and valuable items. In 2021, he outbid a group of cryptocurrency investors to acquire a first-edition copy of the U.S. Constitution for $43.2 million. Griffin subsequently loaned the historic document to the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Arkansas, showcasing his passion for preserving and sharing culturally significant artifacts.
Ken Griffin’s acquisition of the Apex stegosaurus skeleton not only set a new record for fossil sales but also highlighted his dedication to supporting educational and cultural initiatives through his purchases. As the specimen prepares to find its new home in a U.S. institution, Griffin’s commitment to preserving and sharing history remains at the forefront of his endeavors.