“So a person really interested in paleontology could do vastly more good by supporting the ongoing operations of multiple museums than the sale of one specimen. And indeed, the total cost of excavation, preparation, and mounting of a skeleton like this is probably on the order of $1m at most, possibly much less. So a well-funded museum would be able to gather multiple good skeletons for the price of this one ‘trophy.’”

Thomas R Holtz Jr · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-27

Holtz argued that supporting museum operations would do vastly more good for paleontology than buying one specimen, and that a well-funded museum could acquire multiple skeletons for the price of Jodi.