"Trey "has this cultural aspect that a lot of fossils that go to auction these days just simply don't have," said paleontologist Andre LuJan, who worked with Joopiter to prepare the fossil for auction. "This one is connected to people and undoubtedly has inspired young children who've seen it to pursue a career in paleontology.""
"Once the domain of museums and universities, dinosaur fossils have become increasingly popular investments. In 2024, the remains of "Apex" the stegosaurus went for $44.6 million at auction, shattering the previous record of $31.8 million paid in 2020 for "Stan," a Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton."
"In a sign that the dinosaur fossil market remains strong, a rare young dinosaur skeleton blew past its $4 million to $6 million Sotheby's preauction estimate in July and ended up fetching more than $30 million in a bidding frenzy, including fees and costs."
Trey, a 17-foot triceratops skeleton discovered in Wyoming in 1993, is being auctioned on Joopiter, an online platform founded by Pharrell Williams, with estimates between $4.5 million and $5.5 million. The fossil was displayed at the Wyoming Dinosaur Center since its 1995 opening until 2023, when it was sold privately and relocated to Singapore. Paleontologist Andre LuJan notes Trey's unique cultural significance, having inspired visitors to pursue paleontology careers. Dinosaur fossils have transitioned from museum-exclusive holdings to popular investments, with recent record sales including Apex the stegosaurus at $44.6 million and a young dinosaur skeleton exceeding $30 million at auction.
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