Bloomberg: Dinosaurs Have Become A Glamorous Asset For Billionaires
1- 18.07.2026, 11:26
The ultra-wealthy are looking to make money in the fossil fuel market.
Dinosaur skeletons are in high demand among the ultra-wealthy. They represent a blend of glamour and “primitive appeal” for the wealthy, writes Bloomberg.
“It could swallow you whole in one gulp. It’s just an amazing creature. It’s the best trophy you could possibly imagine,” said billionaire Dan O’Dowd, who bought the skeleton of the Tyrannosaurus “Samson” for $600,000.
Two years before the auction at which the first T. rex skeleton, named Shen—the first dinosaur sold on the Asian market—was sold, Christie’s auction house sold a T. rex nicknamed “Stan” for $31.8 million, and two years later, financier Ken Griffin spent $44.6 million on a stegosaur nicknamed “Apex.” Leonardo DiCaprio, Nicolas Cage, and other celebrities took part in the auction.
Bloomberg notes that the value of a dinosaur, like that of a painting or sculpture, is determined by a combination of provenance, desirability, and authenticity. Prior to Shen’s sale, dinosaur experts were convinced that it was a replica of Stan, pointing out that it could not be worth $15 million.
The article states that over the past few decades, wealthy investors’ interest in the fossil market has grown significantly. Many are seeking to profit from this market, which remains largely unregulated, while universities and museums “are often left out in the cold.”
As the fossil market has evolved, people have developed various methods for assigning value to discovered dinosaur remains. Predators are valued more highly than herbivores, since their remains are found in good condition less often. The quality of the fossilized bone and any damage are also taken into account. However, the most important factor determining value is the percentage of the dinosaur’s bones that have been found.
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