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[CULTURE] · United States · 4 sources

Part of situation: Nanotyrannus fossil auction (2 clusters)

Dinosaur fossil 'Jodi' value drops following scientific reclassification

dinosaur fossil Nanotyrannus Sotheby’s auction paleontology Tyrannosaurus rex

A dinosaur fossil scheduled for auction at Sotheby’s in New York on October 27 has seen a significant drop in estimated value following scientific reclassification. Previously presented as a young Tyrannosaurus rex named 'Chomper' at the Frieze art fair in 2023 with an asking price of $20 million, the specimen—now named 'Jodi'—is now identified as a Nanotyrannus, a smaller relative of the T-Rex.

This reclassification follows a 2025 study published in the journal Nature by researchers Lindsay Zanno and James Napoli. After comparing over 200 tyrannosaur fossils, the researchers used evidence from the 'Dueling Dinosaurs' find in Montana to argue that certain smaller skeletons are a distinct species rather than juvenile T-Rexes. Analysis of bone growth rings suggested the specimen was nearly 20 years old and fully grown, possessing anatomical features such as longer arms and a different skull structure than a T-Rex.

As a result of this scientific shift, Sotheby’s has adjusted its auction estimate for 'Jodi' to between six and nine million dollars.

Entities

James Napoli · Lindsay Zanno · Nanotyrannus · New York · Sotheby’s

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Sources

Dino „Jodi“ unter dem Hammer: Neuer Name – und plötzlich Millionen weniger wert? [www.harzkurier.de]
Dino „Jodi“ unter dem Hammer: Neuer Name – und plötzlich Millionen weniger wert? [www.nrz.de]
Dino „Jodi“ unter dem Hammer: Neuer Name – und plötzlich Millionen weniger wert? [www.tlz.de]
Dino „Jodi“ unter dem Hammer: Neuer Name – und plötzlich Millionen weniger wert? [www.braunschweiger-zeitung.de]