JOOPITER Brings “Trey,” the 66-Million-Year-Old Triceratops Skeleton, to the Global Auction Block
The rare skeleton was first discovered in 1993.
Summary
- JOOPITER has announced the auction of “Trey,” a rare Triceratops skeleton dating back to the Late Cretaceous period
- Discovered in 1993, the specimen has been on public exhibition for nearly 30 years, viewed by over one million visitors
- Online bidding opens in March, with proceeds supporting the Co-Museum
Pharrell Williams‘ digital auction house JOOPITER is pivoting from contemporary culture to prehistoric history with the sale of “Trey,” a museum-exhibited Triceratops skeleton of “exceptional completeness”. Dating back more than 66 million years, the sale represents a rare opportunity for collectors to acquire one of the most recognizable dinosaurs to ever walk the Earth.
Excavated in 1993 from the Lance Formation in Lusk, Wyoming, by legendary paleontologist Allen Graffham and Lee Campbell, Trey stands as a significant discovery from the Late Maastrichtian fossil deposits. Following its recovery, the fossil was shipped to Germany for meticulous restoration before returning to the US for the 1995 opening of the Wyoming Dinosaur Center. Unlike many specimens that vanish into private collections, Trey has been on continuous loan and public display for nearly three decades.
The auction is curated with context from leading paleontologist Andre LuJan “The opportunity to experience the intersection of science and history with this specimen has been a privilege. Dinosaurs can teach us as much about our own curiosity as they can about the mystery of their ancient world, and this ambassador from deep time serves as another precious moment for collective awe.”
JOOPITER CEO John Auerbach said, “Some discoveries transcend category, reminders of how vast time really is. JOOPITER is proud to present a piece of history truly millions of years in the making.”
Notably, Trey is the only dinosaur procured through Graffham to hit the market in the last 20 years; his other discoveries reside permanently in museums.
Bidding for Trey is open globally from March 17 to 31 via JOOPITER, with the skeleton available for private appointment viewing in Singapore throughout the month. The platform will also release a merchandise capsule to coincide with the auction.
