Massive, 150M-year-old Stegosaurus skeleton headed to NYC museum — thanks to billionaire Ken Griffin

A 150-million-year-old, $45 million Stegosaurus fossil known as Apex will make its debut at the American Museum of Natural History this weekend.

It will be displayed among the museum’s dinosaur skeletons beginning on Sunday, Dec. 8, and will remain at the New York City location for the next four years.

After that, a cast of Apex will replace the skeleton.

A 150-million-year-old Stegosaurus fossil will grace the American Museum of Natural History starting Sunday. Michael Nagle for NY Post

The fossil is one of the largest — and one of the most complete — Stegosaurus specimens ever uncovered, with nearly 80% of its bones intact.

It is also one of the few found that lived to an advanced age.

The towering, 11-foot-high behemoth was excavated just outside of present-day, aptly-named Dinosaur, Colorado, in May 2022.

It stretches a staggering 27 feet from top to tail.

The fossil is one of the largest, most complete Stegosaurus specimens ever uncovered. Michael Nagle for NY Post

It will be displayed among the museum’s fossilized dinosaur skeletons beginning on Dec. 8. Michael Nagle for NY Post

Apex is owned by billionaire investor Ken Griffin, who loaned the fossil to the museum.

“We are thrilled to have Apex on view at the Museum and grateful to Ken Griffin for his commitment to sharing this magnificent specimen with the public and for partnering with our Museum to do so,” Sean M. Decatur, president of the American Museum of Natural History, told AM NY.

“Mr. Griffin brings a strong sense of civic responsibility, a deep love of and support for science, and an understanding of the power of museums, including ours, to inspire wonder and spur innovation.”

The team at the museum hopes that the display will encourage more research to be conducted.

Earlier this year, Griffin purchased the late-Jurassic stegosaurus skeleton for $44.6 million at Sotheby’s Wednesday, marking the most valuable fossil ever sold at auction.

Griffin, who founded the Citadel hedge fund and has a net worth of $43 billion, according to Forbes, beat out six other bidders and announced his plans to loan the skeleton to institutions for display, prioritizing keeping it in the United States. 

The fossil is one of the largest — and one of the most complete — Stegosaurus specimens ever uncovered, with nearly 80% of its bones intact. Michael Nagle for NY Post

The 11-foot-high fossil was excavated near present-day Dinosaur, Colorado, in May 2022. Michael Nagle for NY Post

“Apex offers a unique window into our planet’s distant past, and I’m so pleased to partner with the American Museum of Natural History to showcase it at one of our country’s preeminent scientific institutions. I am grateful that millions of visitors and researchers will now be able to see and learn from this magnificent specimen of the Late Jurassic Period,” Griffin said.

“The joy and awe every child feels coloring a Stegosaurus with their crayons will now be brought to life for the millions of people who have the opportunity to see this epic dinosaur in person.”

Apex, a brand-new stegosaurus discovery, is displayed at the American Museum of Natural History in NYC, on Thursday, December 5, 2024. Michael Nagle for NY Post