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July 11 (UPI) — Sotheby’s in New York will be hosting an auction for two fossilized prehistoric creatures, a flying Pteranodon and a marine reptile Plesiosaur, believed to have been the inspiration behind the Loch Ness Monster legend. The auction, named “Horus” and “Nessie,” will feature items dating back as far as 190 million years ago and is part of Sotheby’s national history auction.
Sotheby’s announced the unique auction items on Tuesday, with a public exhibition of the mounted skeletons scheduled to open on July 20th. The live auction will take place on July 26th.
The auction house is advertising “Horus” the Pteranodon as a fearsome species with a 20-foot wingspan, making it one of the largest flying creatures to have ever roamed the Earth. It has an estimated value of $4 million to $6 million. Discovered in 2002, it was found buried in a seabed that was once part of the Western Interior Seaway, dividing the continent of North America during the late Cretaceous period.
“Nessie,” the Plesiosaur from the lower Jurassic period, is considered the best-preserved specimen ever offered on the market. It measures 11 feet in length and is valued between $600,000 and $800,000. With its long neck, small head, and affinity for water, it is believed to have inspired the legend of the Loch Ness monster.
Last year, Christie’s Auction House canceled the sale of a T. Rex skeleton after concerns were raised by a paleontologist regarding the authenticity of the bones.
Sotheby’s has previously auctioned various fossils, including a Gorgosaurus skeleton in July and the first standalone sale of a Tyrannosaurus rex skull in December. In 1997, a Tyrannosaurus rex named Sue was also sold.
“We are very excited to now turn our attention to its predatory peers of the sky and the sea, more than 25 years since the groundbreaking sale of Sue, the T-Rex at Sotheby’s,” said Cassandra Hatton, Sotheby’s global head of science and popular culture. “Horus” the Pteranodon and “Nessie” the Plesiosaur offer a glimpse into the extraordinary creatures that once inhabited our planet. These species have inspired ancient folklore, myths, and have even made appearances in Hollywood blockbusters and television shows. They are iconic witnesses to the incredible evolutionary power that has shaped life on Earth for countless years.”
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