Zéphyr, a dinosaur skeleton sold at auction in Paris in October

Zephyr is part of the iguanodon family. It was discovered in 2019 in the United States in Colorado during the construction of a road. 70% complete, its skeleton is in an exceptional state of preservation. It has been carefully reconstructed by a team of paleontologists. He also has several fossilized tendons on the hips and the dorsal area. “We usually very rarely have skin prints”, notes Lacopo Briano, expert in paleontology. The missing bones have been added.

Zephyr is three meters long and 1.30 meters high. Small dimensions for a dinosaur. Sold at auction, it could interest museums, of course, but also very wealthy individuals who want to have a dinosaur in their living room. Especially since its price is very reasonable compared to the last dinosaurs sold.

Last year, a triceratops, nicknamed Big John, went for 6.6 million euros. Zéphyr is estimated between 400,000 and 500,000 euros. “It’s a more affordable estimate. The size of the dinosaur actually makes it possible to envisage a much larger number of customers”, says Maître Alexandre Giquello, auctioneer at the Drouot auction house.

Before it goes on sale, Zéphyr will be exhibited from October 17 to 19 at the Hôtel Drouot.

Drouot Auction House, 9 Rue Drouot, 75009 Paris