A complete skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus Rex, nicknamed “Trinity,” is set to go up for auction in Switzerland for an estimated $6.5 to $8.65 million. Assembled using bones from three different T-rex specimens found in Montana and Wyoming between 2008 and 2013, more than half of Trinity’s skeleton has been brought together for the first time to create a near-perfect specimen. This is only the third time in the world – and the first time in Europe – that a T-Rex skeleton has come up for sale, making it a unique opportunity for dinosaur enthusiasts and collectors alike. However, Koller’s natural history expert Christian Link has warned that the estimates are far below Trinity’s real value.
Despite the high level of interest in T-rex skeletons, the scarcity of complete specimens has made them a rarity. According to a study in the scientific journal Nature, only 32 adult T-rex skeletons have been found in the world to date. As such, the sale of Trinity provides a once-in-a-lifetime chance to acquire a near-complete T-rex skeleton. However, doubts have arisen in the recent past concerning the authenticity of some T-rex skeletons. Last year, Christie’s auction house had to withdraw a skeleton from sale in Hong Kong due to doubts raised by some parts of the skeleton.
This year, Sotheby’s in New York sold a complete skeleton of Gorgosaurus, a species of dinosaur related to the T-rex, for $6.1 million. This highlights the valuable nature of such specimens in the world of vertebrate paleontology. The sale of Trinity is set to take place in Switzerland, and it will provide a unique opportunity for collectors and museums to acquire a nearly complete T-rex skeleton. Even with the asking price expected to soar far above the estimate, it will be an excellent investment for those fortunate enough to secure it.
