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Christie’s to Offer Rare Dinosaur Skeleton in December Auction
ARTnews ^ | Francesca Aton

Posted on 11/08/2025 7:19:37 AM PST by nickcarraway

A well-preserved Caenagnathid dinosaur, affectionately known as Spike, is expected to headline Christie’s inaugural “Groundbreakers: Icons of Our Time” auction in London on December 11.

At 68 million years old and counting, Spike is one of the most complete specimens of its kind, possibly representing a new species. Discovered in 2022, the sub-adult dinosaur has more than 100 preserved fossil bones and is believed to have once been heavily feathered. This is the first time a Caenagnathid Oviraptorosaur has been offered at auction. It is estimated to fetch between £3 million and £5 million ($4 million to $6.6 million).

Related Articles An abstract painting that resembles a blobby landscape. Christie's Hauls in $5.2 M. at Modern and Contemporary Middle Eastern Art Auction, Setting 8 Artist Records Sara Friedlander Promoted to Chairman of Post-War & Contemporary Art, Americas at Christie's “Spike is a truly exceptional specimen, and it is a great honour to present him here at Christie’s. We’re looking forward to welcoming visitors to King Street to meet Spike in person,” James Hyslop, the head of Christie’s science and natural history department, said in a statement.

The “Groundbreakers” auction will bring together 30 lots of notable discoveries and achievements—spanning natural history, cinema, music, literature, fashion, sport and technology—from the 20th and 21st centuries, including Spike.

Additional highlights include personal letters written by cultural icons, rare scientific artifacts, historic musical instruments, and revolutionary design pieces.

Collectors an enthusiasts in London can see Spike on view from December 6–11. For those who want to experience Spike at their own leisure, a VR version can be accessed on Christie’s Select on Apple Vision Pro with a smartphone.

Earlier this year in July, Sotheby’s also auctioned a juvenile Ceratosaur dinosaur fossil, which fetched $30.5 million, well beyond its $6 million estimate.


TOPICS: History; Local News
KEYWORDS: christies; dinosaur; dinosaurs; godsgravesglyphs; paleontology; skeleton
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1 posted on 11/08/2025 7:19:37 AM PST by nickcarraway
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To: nickcarraway

Pelosi trying to cash in for her kin?


2 posted on 11/08/2025 7:21:00 AM PST by ProtectOurFreedom ( )
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To: nickcarraway

A perfect Christmas gift for the hard-to-please multimillionaire.


3 posted on 11/08/2025 7:21:02 AM PST by AnotherUnixGeek
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To: nickcarraway

Buyers need to beware:

https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/long-reads/article/2162125/chinas-dinosaur-factory-behind-scenes


4 posted on 11/08/2025 7:21:49 AM PST by cgbg ("The truth is not for all men, but only for those who seek it.")
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To: nickcarraway

The Smithsonian will have a Biden presidential display……..this would be perfect.


5 posted on 11/08/2025 7:23:20 AM PST by Toespi
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To: StayAt HomeMother; Ernest_at_the_Beach; 1ofmanyfree; 21twelve; 24Karet; 2ndDivisionVet; 31R1O; ...

6 posted on 11/08/2025 7:38:18 AM PST by SunkenCiv (NeverTrumpin' -- it's not just for DNC shills anymore -- oh, wait, yeah it is.)
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To: AnotherUnixGeek

Maybe should be in the Neiman Marcus Christmas catalog !


7 posted on 11/08/2025 8:01:20 AM PST by 1066AD
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To: SunkenCiv; The Spirit Of Allegiance; Rennes Templar
I saur it in a catalog and had to have it.

Additional highlights include personal letters written by cultural icons...

Nice touch. I didn't know he could write.

8 posted on 11/08/2025 8:44:24 AM PST by Ezekiel (🆘️ "Come fly with US". 🔴 Ingenuity -- because the Son of David begins with MARS ♂️, aka every man)
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To: nickcarraway

9 posted on 11/08/2025 8:52:45 AM PST by null and void (New NYC hungry homeless begging sign: "I got what you voted for, PLEASE HELP!")
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To: Ezekiel

He needs a ten gallon hat and a new nickname, maybe, Tyrannosaurus Tex?


10 posted on 11/08/2025 9:34:29 AM PST by SunkenCiv (NeverTrumpin' -- it's not just for DNC shills anymore -- oh, wait, yeah it is.)
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To: nickcarraway

Bkmk


11 posted on 11/08/2025 11:34:57 AM PST by sauropod
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To: cgbg

Bkmk


12 posted on 11/08/2025 11:35:31 AM PST by sauropod
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To: nickcarraway

Spike eh? Reminds of this little ditty

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnERqIVPcWM


13 posted on 11/08/2025 11:48:41 AM PST by xp38
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