In a spectacular auction event at Sotheby’s New York, two extraordinary pieces of natural history smashed previous records — a massive Martian meteorite and a rare dinosaur skeleton.
The sale captivated not just collectors but also scientists and enthusiasts around the world, making headlines as a milestone for rare artifacts.
The Largest Piece of Mars Ever Sold
The star of the show was a giant Martian meteorite named NWA 16788.
Weighing in at a hefty 25 kilograms, this space rock was found in the Sahara Desert and is officially recognized as the largest fragment of Mars ever recovered here on Earth.
The meteorite fetched a stunning $5.3 million, breaking all previous auction records for meteorites.
Cassandra Hatton, Sotheby’s Vice President, highlighted the significance, saying it’s about 70 percent bigger than the last biggest Martian meteorite sold.
A Rare Dinosaur Skeleton Draws Fierce Bidding
Not to be outdone, a nearly complete skeleton of a young ceratosaurus also went under the hammer.
This dinosaur fossil is incredibly rare — only four such specimens are known worldwide — and it sparked fierce competition among bidders.
Ultimately, the ceratosaurus skeleton sold for an eye-watering $30.5 million, setting a jaw-dropping record for dinosaur fossils.
The new owner reportedly intends to donate this incredible find to a museum, giving the public a chance to see one of the rarest dinosaur skeletons ever discovered.
Sotheby’s Reaffirms Its Global Leadership in Natural History Auctions
Both the Martian meteorite and dinosaur skeleton far exceeded expert price predictions, showing just how much demand there is for unique pieces of our planet’s—and even the solar system’s—history.
With these record-breaking sales, Sotheby’s has once again proven it’s the go-to auction house for collectors seeking rare natural history treasures.