The “exceptional” and “virtually complete” dinosaur fossil, which is 11 feet tall and 20 feet long, will be sold as part of Sotheby’s annual Geek Week. Paleontologists have questioned the sale of such specimens to private bidders, arguing that these finds should be preserved in museums or other public spaces. Nevertheless, that will not stop the auction of the 150-million-year-old fossil from going ahead in New York on July 17. Apex, as it has been nicknamed, is the “finest Stegosaurus specimen to come to market,” Sotheby’s said in a press release Wednesday. It is expected to fetch between $4 million and $6 million, making it one of the most valuable dinosaur fossils ever offered up for sale, the auction house added.

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Persons: ” Sotheby’s, Jason Cooper, Sotheby’s, Cooper, “, Steve Brusatte, ”, Sotheby’s Brusatte, “ Sophie, Cassandra Hatton, Maximus ”, Stan Organizations: CNN, Apex, Scotland’s University of Edinburgh, Geek, Abu Dhabi Department of Culture Locations: New York, Apex, Colorado, Morrison, Moffat County , Colorado, Dinosaur, Sotheby’s, Sotheby’s New York, Abu Dhabi, Tourism