Investors are now getting a chance to own a piece of history in the form of a stegosaurus skeleton named “BCQ 24” that is up for grabs on the fractional investment platform, Rally. With 200,000 shares available at $68.75 each, this rare dinosaur fossil is sparking interest in a new trend of investing in unique assets. From artwork to collectibles, the market for fractional ownership has been expanding, and now dinosaur bones are taking the spotlight.
Rob Petrozzo, co-founder of Rally, notes the growing popularity of privatizing dinosaurs as collectibles, emphasizing the timeless appeal of owning something as ancient as a 150 million-year-old stegosaurus. The recent sale of a stegosaurus named “Apex” to billionaire Ken Griffin for $44.6 million set a new record for dinosaur acquisitions, surpassing the previous high set by “Stan” the T-Rex. This surge in interest has seen eight dinosaur fossils sell for over $6 million in recent years, with buyers from the Middle East and Asia showing particular enthusiasm.
The journey of “BCQ 24” began when fossil expert Thomas Lindgren discovered evidence of the stegosaurus at Wyoming’s Bone Cabin Quarry and alerted Rally. Despite only a portion of the skeleton being unearthed at the time, Rally took a leap of faith in acquiring the fossil. With 69% of the bones now recovered, Petrozzo is optimistic about finding even more as the excavation continues.
Investors in “BCQ 24” can expect updates on the excavation process, including photos, videos, and a bone map showcasing new discoveries. Shareholders will also have the opportunity to vote on a new name for the fossil. While some concerns have been raised about the commercialization of rare dinosaurs potentially hindering academic research, Petrozzo remains hopeful that private buyers will contribute to public education through museum displays.
Rally’s foray into dinosaur ownership marks a new chapter for the company, which has previously offered shares in assets like a triceratops skull. Looking ahead, Petrozzo envisions expanding into other unique investments, such as fractionalized sports team ownership. The future looks promising for investors seeking a piece of history to call their own. Rewrite the sentence: “The cat chased the mouse around the house.”
Rewritten sentence: “Around the house, the mouse was chased by the cat.”