Ken Griffin, the billionaire investor, made headlines when he acquired a late Jurassic stegosaurus skeleton for a whopping $44.6 million at Sotheby’s auction, making it the most expensive fossil ever sold in an auction setting. The stegosaurus, named “Apex”, is an impressive 150 million years old, standing at 11 feet tall and stretching nearly 27 feet from nose to tail. The skeleton boasts 254 fossil bone elements, making it a nearly complete specimen. Interestingly, the stegosaurus was initially estimated to fetch around $6 million, but Griffin’s winning bid far exceeded expectations.
During the live auction in New York, Griffin engaged in a fierce bidding war competing against six other participants for a total of 15 minutes before emerging as the victorious buyer. Following his successful win, Griffin expressed his intention to potentially loan the stegosaurus to a U.S. institution. He proudly declared, “Apex was born in America and is going to stay in America!” This sentiment signals Griffin’s desire to contribute to the preservation and display of significant historical artifacts within the country’s borders.
According to Sotheby’s, Apex, the stegosaurus, displays no indication of combat-related injuries or signs of post-mortem scavenging. The fossil was excavated from private land in Moffat County, Colorado, adding to its rarity and historical value. Griffin’s affinity for supporting historical and educational initiatives is evident in his previous donations, such as the $16.5 million contribution to Chicago’s Field Museum for a touchable cast of the largest dinosaur ever found, a colossal herbivore from Argentina.
Griffin’s investment portfolio extends beyond dinosaur fossils, as evidenced by his acquisition of a first-edition copy of the U.S. Constitution for $43.2 million in 2021. In a competitive bidding scenario, Griffin outbid a group of cryptocurrency investors to secure the historical document. Subsequently, he generously lent the rare artifact to the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Arkansas, showcasing his commitment to sharing valuable pieces of history with investors.
Ken Griffin’s extravagant acquisitions of the stegosaurus skeleton and the first-edition U.S. Constitution highlight his passion for historical artifacts and his dedication to preserving them for future generations. Griffin’s contributions to educational institutions and public museums underscore his commitment to promoting cultural heritage and enriching the collective understanding of significant historical milestones.