Triceratops skeleton to be auctioned off on platform founded by Pharrell Williams
Triceratops skeleton to be auctioned on platform launched by Pharrell Williams
A Wyoming museum’s Triceratops skeleton, which had been on display for over 30 years, is set to be sold via Joopiter—a digital auction service created by Grammy-winning musician and producer Pharrell Williams. This marks a rare occurrence where a dinosaur exhibit is transitioning from public display to private ownership amid a surge in demand for prehistoric fossils.
The fossil, named ‘Trey,’ will be available for bidding from March 17 to 31. Its estimated value ranges between $4.5 million and $5.5 million. Originally discovered in 1993 by Lee Campbell and the late Allen Graffham, a seasoned paleontologist, Trey was later showcased at the Wyoming Dinosaur Center in Thermopolis during its 1995 opening and remained on loan until 2023.
After a recent private sale, the skeleton now resides in Singapore, where it will undergo public viewings through the end of March. Paleontologist Andre LuJan, who collaborated with Joopiter on the preparation process, highlighted that Trey holds a unique cultural significance, distinguishing it from other fossils entering the auction market.
“This one is connected to people and undoubtedly has inspired young children who’ve seen it to pursue a career in paleontology,” LuJan added.
Dinosaurs, once primarily housed in academic institutions, have evolved into coveted assets for private collectors. The recent sale of ‘Apex,’ a stegosaurus skeleton, for $44.6 million in 2024 set a new benchmark, surpassing the $31.8 million paid for ‘Stan,’ a T. rex fossil in 2020.
As interest in fossils intensifies, the market has shifted from traditional categories like classical art to prehistoric remains. Caitlin Donovan, Joopiter’s global sales director, noted that this trend reflects a growing appreciation for fossils with historical and cultural relevance.
“Dinosaurs have always captivated our imagination… and people are now starting to see the value in investing in these as assets,” LuJan remarked.
However, some experts warn that this booming market risks removing key specimens from public access. Kristi Curry Rogers, a paleontologist at Macalester College in Minnesota, stated that museums are increasingly sidelined by rising prices.
“If a fossil goes into a private collection without guaranteed access forever, that data is essentially lost to science,” Curry Rogers explained.
Trey, measuring 17 feet in length, was first unveiled at Le Freeport in Singapore as part of its pre-sale exhibition. The name ‘Triceratops’ translates to ‘three-horned face,’ referencing its distinctive two brow horns and a smaller nose horn.
While the auction aims to secure Trey’s future, LuJan hopes it will eventually find a home in a museum. Like Apex, which is now displayed at New York’s American Museum of Natural History following a long-term loan agreement, Trey could contribute to ongoing scientific study and public education.
