T. Rex Skull Fetches $6.1 Million at Sotheby’s, Far Short of Expectations

A Tyrannosaurus rex skull sold Dec. 9 at Sotheby’s New York to an anonymous bidder fetched US$6.1 million, a sum that fell far short of the presale estimate.

The auction house anticipated that Maximus—the nickname of the 200-plus pound, 67 million-year-old specimen unearthed in South Dakota in 2020 and 2021—would grab between US$15 million to US$20 million.

Why the tepid reception? “The estimate was a reflection of how unique the skull is, as well as its exceptional quality, but—given that nothing quite like this has ever come to auction before—we always intended for the market to determine the ultimate price,” according to a statement from Sotheby’s provided to Penta.

The auction house noted that there was never a reserve: “While there was a published estimate, it was poised to sell to the highest bid at any value.”

The Maximus sale follows on the heels of another auction house’s ancient fossil sale that didn’t go as expected.

On Nov. 30 Christie’s Asia was set to offer a T. Rex specimen called Shen to the highest bidder. The fossil was expected to bring in US$15 million to US$25 million. The sale was cancelled after doubts were raised about the skeleton that was excavated in Montana. Once the sale was scrapped the consignor decided to loan Shen to a museum.

Whether these recent events suggest that the art market for dinosaur fossils is headed for extinction remains to be seen. But scientists regard the practice as problematic.

“We’re still learning about even well-known dinosaurs,” says Thomas R. Holtz, vertebrate palaeontologist in the Department of Geology at the University of Maryland. “One of the main issues with the sale of dinosaur or other fossils as trophies and collectible objects is that it misses out on a key aspect of the specimens—and that’s data.”

Fossils in private collections typically aren’t accessible for study, unlike ones in museums.

Klaus Busse would like you to close your eyes and imagine yourself behind the wheel of a Maserati. Picture the GranTurismo, which launched in Australia in 2024. Where do you see yourself? Chances are, Busse suggests, it’s not during the school pick-up or commuting to the office.

“You’re probably on a wonderful road in Tuscany, or Highway 1, or you’re going to a red carpet event,” says Busse, who holds the enviable title of Head of Design at Maserati, the iconic Italian car manufacturer. “Basically, it’s about emotion.”

At the luxury end of the market, the GranTurismo Coupe—priced between $375,000 and $450,000—is designed to transform the driving experience into something extraordinary. For Busse and his team, these “sculptures on wheels” are not just status symbols or exhilarating machines but expressions of pure joy. Their mission is to encapsulate that feeling and translate it into their cars.

“I really feel the responsibility to create emotion,” he says. “We have a wonderful word in Italy: allegria, which is best translated as ‘joyful.’ Our job as a brand is to lift you into this area of joy, perfectly positioned just short of ecstasy. It’s that tingling sensation you feel in your body when you drive the car.”

Even as 60 percent of the world’s population now lives in urban areas, Maserati’s design ethos captures the essence of “everyday exceptional.” Whether navigating city streets or open roads, a Maserati turns heads without being ostentatious or aggressive. “I’ve driven these cars all over the world, and no matter where I go, people smile at me and give a thumbs-up,” says Busse.

Since joining Maserati in 2015, Busse has reimagined and redefined the brand, steering his team through the reinvention of classic models and the transition to electric vehicles. Iconic designs like the Fiat 500, which entered the EV market in 2020, serve as a testament to Maserati’s ability to blend tradition with innovation.

Unlike other luxury car brands, Maserati embraces radical change with new designs every 10 to 15 years. Busse loves connecting with fans who follow the brand closely. He explains that each Maserati model reflects a specific era, from the elegant 35GT of the 1950s to the wedge-shaped designs of the 1970s and the bold aesthetics of the 1980s.

“I often ask fans, ‘What is Maserati for you?’ because their responses tell me so much about how they connect with the brand,” he shares.

Inspired by legendary Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro, Busse balances tradition with modernity in his designs. As Giugiaro once told him, “We always do the best in the moment.” This philosophy resonates deeply with Busse, who believes in honouring the past while embracing future possibilities.

Through advances in technology, techniques, and societal trends, Busse ensures Maserati remains at the forefront of automotive design. For him, the creative process is more than just a job—it’s a way to create joy, connection, and timeless elegance.

T. Rex Skull Fetches $6.1 Million at Sotheby’s, Far Short of Expectations

Ever wondered what it takes to create a car like the Maserati? Meet the German designer taking on an Italian icon.