New York:A rare Nanotyrannus skeleton, affectionately named "Jodi," was sold for an astonishing $47.3 million at a Sotheby's auction in New York, significantly surpassing its initial estimated value of $6 million to $9 million.

According to Anadolu Agency – English, the final price includes auction fees, and the identity of the buyer has not been disclosed. This sale positions "Jodi" as the second-most-expensive dinosaur fossil ever sold at auction, following the record held by a Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton known as "Gus," which was sold for $50.1 million at Sotheby's in July.

The Nanotyrannus skeleton, which is approximately 67 million years old, measures 6 meters (19.6 feet) in length and stands about 2.9 meters (9.5 feet) tall. It consists of around 191 fossilized bone elements, including a nearly complete skull with 53 bones and roughly 50 teeth. Discovered in 2019 by rancher Jodi Pierson in the Hell Creek Formation in Montana, the skeleton was excavated by a team led by commercial paleontologist Clayton Phipps and entered a private collection in 2021.

There has been a longstanding debate regarding the classification of Nanotyrannus, with some paleontologists arguing it was a juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex. However, recent research published in 2025 confirmed Nanotyrannus as a distinct species, identifying over 150 anatomical differences from T. rex, such as longer arms and more teeth. "Jodi" is one of only three known Nanotyrannus skeletons and the first to be auctioned after this classification was established.

The sale has sparked concerns about important fossils entering private collections, which may restrict access for researchers and public exhibitions, raising questions about the balance between private ownership and scientific study.