Martian meteorite and Jurassic-era dinosaur fossil to headline Sotheby’s $10M Geek Week auction
TOI World Desk | TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Jul 14, 2025, 21:39 IST
( Image credit : TIL Creatives )
Highlight of the story: Sotheby's Geek Week 2025 in New York will feature a rare Martian meteorite, NWA 16788, the largest piece of Mars found on Earth, estimated at $2-$4 million. Alongside it, a juvenile Ceratosaurus skeleton from the Jurassic period, valued at $4-$6 million, will be auctioned.
A rare Martian meteorite and a juvenile dinosaur skeleton are set to be the stars of Sotheby’s Geek Week 2025, an auction expected to draw global interest from collectors, researchers, and investors alike. The two headline items could fetch a combined $10 million when they go under the hammer in New York on July 16.
Leading the sale is NWA 16788, a 54-pound (24.67 kg) Martian meteorite believed to be the largest piece of Mars ever discovered on Earth. The rock, which measures roughly 15 by 11 by 6 inches, is expected to sell for between $2 million and $4 million. According to Sotheby’s, the meteorite was ejected from Mars following an asteroid impact, eventually traveling more than 140 million miles before landing in the Sahara Desert. It was discovered in Niger in 2023.
Scientists confirmed the meteorite's Martian origin through a detailed laboratory analysis comparing its chemical signature to those of other Mars rocks identified by NASA’s Viking missions. The specimen was classified as an olivine-microgabbroic shergottite—an igneous rock formed from slowly cooled Martian magma.
“This rock accounts for nearly 7% of all known Martian material on Earth,” Sotheby’s noted in a statement. It was previously on public display at the Italian Space Agency in Rome.
Also featured in the auction is a juvenile Ceratosaurus skeleton, dating back to the late Jurassic period around 150 million years ago. Discovered near Laramie, Wyoming, in 1996, the fossil stands more than 6 feet tall and spans nearly 11 feet in length. Experts reconstructed the skeleton using 140 original fossil bones, complemented with sculpted materials for missing parts. The piece is fully mounted and ready for museum or private exhibition. Sotheby’s estimates it will sell for between $4 million and $6 million.
Both the meteorite and dinosaur fossil are part of a broader 122-lot collection celebrating rare natural history and science-themed artifacts. Other highlights include gem-quality minerals, meteorite fragments, and fossilized plant life.
The auction reflects a growing appetite for high-value, scientifically significant collectibles. As alternative assets, rare fossils and meteorites have gained traction among ultra-high-net-worth individuals and institutions seeking to diversify their holdings with tangible, one-of-a-kind objects.
While the current owners of the featured items remain unnamed, Sotheby’s confirmed that all pieces have been authenticated and appraised by independent experts. With such high-profile items on offer, the auction is expected to attract both competitive bidding and significant media attention.
Sotheby’s Geek Week has become an annual destination for collectors at the intersection of science, nature, and art—and this year’s event looks poised to break records.