Dinosaur enthusiast and billionaire, Ken Griffin goes down in history as the man who purchased the remains of a Stegosaurus for a mind-boggling forty-five million dollars in an epic auction sale. This event certainly checks the box for one of the most spectacular sales to have ever occurred in the arena of prehistoric memorabilia, effectively smashing all previous records.
Griffin, who rose to fame as the founder and CEO of Citadel, a multinational hedge fund and financial services firm, is known for his extravagant purchases and philanthropic endeavors. However, acquiring a dinosaur fossil, an iconic Stegosaurus no less, seems to be his most daring venture yet.
The Stegosaurus, aptly named ‘Victoria’, is no ordinary fossil. Estimated to be almost 150 million years old, this fossil, in excellent condition, represents one of the most complete and best-preserved Stegosaurus skeletons discovered to date. With her 18-foot-long body structure and a tail adorned with four menacing spikes, Victoria truly encapsulates the grandeur and enigma of this species, which roamed the earth in the Jurassic era.
The auction house Sotheby’s played host to this extraordinary sale, which culminated in Griffin’s winning bid of forty-five million dollars, a figure that far surpassed all previous sales of prehistoric pieces. Given the rare and exceptional nature of Victoria, the bidding was bound to be fierce and the final price stratospheric. Griffin’s winning bid cemented the transaction as the most expensive dinosaur fossil ever sold, lapping the previous record held by a T-Rex named ‘Stan’ who was sold for a paltry sum of 31.8 million dollars in comparison.
Ken Griffin’s penchant for collecting rare articles isn’t a newfound hobby. His collection includes numerous expensive artworks, including pieces by renowned artists such as Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning. However, the purchase of Victoria gives a whole new dimension to his collection, extending it beyond the realms of art and into distinguished specimens of natural history.
What sets Ken Griffin’s purchase of Victoria apart from all others is not just the price tag, but the intention behind it. Unlike other fossils that are bought to be displayed in private collections, Victoria will serve a more honorable purpose. Following Griffin’s philanthropic inclinations, Victoria will be on public display. The billionaire’s intention is to lend the Stegosaurus to various museums and scientific institutions around the world, which not only enriches the experience of museum-goers but significantly contributes to archeological educational efforts.
Moreover, Griffin’s move to make Victoria accessible to the public challenges the traditional narrative of dinosaur fossils being scooped up by private collectors and disappearing from public view. Griffin’s step towards prioritizing education and scientific research over private collection reflects a commendable mindset.
Griffin’s colossal purchase of Victoria has set a new precedent in the fossil collection world – an investment not just in a monetary asset, but in the long-lost history of our planet, promising to enlighten current and future generations about these magnificent creatures from the Jurassic era. His decision to keep the fossil in the public realm, rather than the confines of a private location, makes him a unique champion for prehistoric education and preservation.