How Much For Fossil Dinosaur Eggs For Sale In 2024?

How much would a real dinosaur egg be worth is complex to determine. In 2020, imagine the buzz when a dinosaur egg, cradling a prehistoric embryo, fetched a staggering sum exceeding $100,000 at an auction. But that’s not always the case. As I embark on an exploration of the fascinating world of dinosaur egg fossils, I consider the myriad of factors that contribute to their astonishing value. With the price of fossils varying so widely, it makes me wonder, what is the value of an original dinosaur egg now in 2024?

How Much Would A Real Dinosaur Egg Be Worth in 2024?

Based on current 2024 prices on fossil collector websites, a real dinosaur egg can range anywhere from $500 to $10,000, and prices can vary greatly depending on factors such as rarity, size, and condition.

Fossils of eggs are called “Trace Fossils” and dinosaur eggs can often be found separately or in a nest, known as a clutch. (Source)

Key Takeaways

• The value of dinosaur eggs is influenced by age, rarity, species, presence of an embryo, and aesthetics.
• A dinosaur egg in a nest with a fossilized mother dinosaur’s skeleton is extremely valuable due to its rarity.
• Ownership and trade of dinosaur eggs should adhere to ethical practices and laws, supported by the American Association of Paleontological Suppliers.
• Dinosaur eggs have been discovered worldwide, with different shapes indicating whether the dinosaur was a carnivore or herbivore.
• The illicit trade in fakes and black-market dinosaur bones has become a significant concern due to high demand.
• Paleontologists use characteristics such as shell structure, thickness, curvature, porosity, and surface cracks to confirm the authenticity of dinosaur eggs.

Dinosaurs have been given unprecedented attention ever since the release of the Jurassic Park movies in the 1990s. Not only that, paleontologists are using advanced scientific techniques such as CT scans and 3D scans to discover and enhance their understanding of dinosaur fossils. Our understanding of dinosaurs has increased and evolved.

Dinosaur Egg Discoveries – Where Have The Trace Fossils Been Found?

Paleontologists have been finding dinosaur eggs for the past 150 years, with the first ones found in France and the latest discoveries (in 2020) in Spain and Argentina. During these past 150 years, there have been some fantastic egg fossil discoveries, such as those with whole embryos that are still intact and containing a baby dinosaur. It is changing the way paleontologists think about how dinosaurs reproduce and about their nesting habits.

Fossils of eggs are called “Trace Fossils” and dinosaur eggs can often be found separately or in a nest, known as a clutch. (Source)

These egg discoveries are adding evidence that most, if not all, dinosaurs laid eggs. Even the apex predator Tyrannosaurus Rex is suggested to have laid eggs. The recent discovery of a pregnant T. Rex (Source) and baby T. Rex in 2020 (Source) supports this thinking.

Read on to learn more about dinosaurs the real dinosaur egg value and I’ll cover the factors that determine the value, provide more understanding about dinosaur egg fossils, and how to identify a real dinosaur egg. Let’s get started.

Factors That Determine the Value of a Real Dinosaur Egg – How Much Is A Dinosaur Egg? Prehistoric Trace Fossils

It is completely understandable if you wonder just how much dinosaur eggs are worth, as the prices for different fossils vary. You should know that to acquire a real egg, you must have the means, which might run into hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

Additionally, it is a good idea to determine if the fossil eggs can be sold to you, i.e., you will get the ownership rights. While an entire dinosaur fossil might cost several million dollars, dinosaur eggs cost less, although if an egg contains an embryo it can be worth millions as well.

Several factors determine what a real dinosaur egg is worth. I will cover seven of them, discuss the bigger picture of how fossilized dinosaur eggs compare to other dinosaur fossils, and give some guidelines on how you can buy a fossilized egg.

The Seven Key Factors for Determining Real Dinosaur Egg Worth

Here is a list of the seven key factors and determinants of how much an egg is worth:

● Age – The older an egg is, the more expensive it is likely to be. Very old eggs enable paleontologists to research the earliest species of dinosaurs that have lived on earth. There may be a big price difference between a 66 million-year-old egg (from the Cretaceous period) and a 125 million-year-old egg (Jurassic period). The oldest dinosaur egg fossils have been found in South Africa. (Source) 

● Rarity – How rare a dinosaur egg fossil is will dramatically increase the value. A dinosaur egg by itself is amazing to have lasted so many million years. However, the uniqueness of a dinosaur egg that was in a nest together with its mother’s fossilized dinosaur skeleton is extremely rare, such as with the Citipati discovery (Source) in Mongolia. Most likely, a T. Rex fossil egg, if one is ever discovered, would be a rare fossil, indeed. 

● Type – there are three category types of dinosaur eggs that paleontologists recognize, based on the eggshell structure. Interestingly, it links to the type of dinosaur that laid the egg as well. They are:
—Spherulitic – which are spheric in shape and attributed to hadrosaurs and sauropods
—Prismatic – which are prismatic in shape
—Ornithoid – which is bird-egg like in shape and attributed to theropods, which also include modern birds

● Dinosaur Species – Some dinosaurs species are more popular or rare than others, impacting a dinosaur egg’s cost. For simplification, we can divide dinosaurs into two groups, the carnivores, or meat-eating dinosaurs, and the herbivores, or plant-eating dinosaurs (there are also omnivores and piscivores, but we will exclude these this time). Carnivores are dinosaurs like T. Rex, Giganotosaurus, and Allosaurus. Herbivore dinosaurs include the long neck sauropods such as Diplodocus, Brachiosaurus, and Apatosaurus. Oviraptorids are from China and Mongolia, such as Citipati.

● Embryo – with or without it – If the dinosaur egg contains a fossilized embryo in it that shows a fossilized baby dinosaur, the value increases substantially. Paleontologists have found eggs with embryos intact and re-examined eggs that found dinosaur embryos after a CT scan. Real dinosaur egg worth is substantial if embryos are found within the egss.

Type of Egg

There are three category types of dinosaur eggs that paleontologists recognize, based on the eggshell structure. Interestingly, it links to the type of dinosaur that laid the egg as well. They are:

• Spherulitic – which are spheric in shape and attributed to hadrosaurs and sauropods
• Prismatic – which are prismatic in shape
• Ornithoid – which is bird-egg like in shape and attributed to theropods, which also include modern birds

Your real dinosaur egg’s value skyrockets with its age and level of preservation, reflecting millions of years of history encapsulated in fossilized form and the type as mentioned above. The rarity of an intact dinosaur eggshell, especially one that’s Million Years Old from the Cretaceous period, can’t be overstated. Such specimens offer a direct window into prehistoric life, carrying immense scientific and monetary worth.

Comparison of Value with Other Dinosaur Fossils

There are many types of dinosaur fossils besides eggs:

● Complete skeletons – these are the most expensive of all fossils, ranging from a minimum of $100,000 to over $8 million. For instance, the skeleton named “Sue,” a 90% complete tyrannosaurus rex skeleton, was bought for $8.36 million at an auction in 1997, a record price for a dinosaur skeleton. Recently (September 2020), this record was eclipsed by the auction of the T. Rex “Stan,” which sold for $31.8 million.

● Dinosaur skulls – range from about $25,000 to $100,000.

● Individual dinosaur bones – the range is from tens to thousands of dollars or more for thigh bones, claws, and other parts of the dinosaur skeleton.

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● Teeth – the range is from $20 to a midrange of $2000. I wrote a full article just on the topic of dinosaur teeth. Check it out if you are interested – What’s the Value of a Real Dinosaur Tooth (Single, On Jawbone)?

● Coprolite (dinosaur dung) – the least expensive type of dinosaur fossil is coprolite or fossilized dinosaur dung. It’s more decorative than it sounds and usually costs about $20 to $50.

Can You Buy a Fossil Dinosaur Egg?     

Scientists and paleontologists, and the general public, have differing views on the purchasing of fossils. Some countries, for instance, Mongolia and China, have strict rules and laws in place for the export of fossils. It is always best to know the Law and whether ownership of a dinosaur egg fossil is legally possible. Besides determining how much is a dinosaur egg worth, there is also the scientific value that should be considered too. 

Dealers who belong to the American Association of Paleontological Suppliers support ethical collecting practices and cooperation with the scientific community. Although they won’t tell you for certain how much is a dino egg worth, they may give you an idea if it is a real dinosaur egg based on where it was found. Reputable dealers can also be found through local fossil clubs and collectors’ associations.

If you want to read more about this topic, check out my article on this website: Can You Buy and Own a Dinosaur Bone? The Law vs. the Science

Understanding Dinosaur Egg Specimens- Petrified Dinosaur Eggs That Are Million Years Old From The Cretaceous Period 

The more you know about dinosaur eggs, the better you can appreciate its value. As I have covered above, different dinosaur species laid eggs, and paleontologists have found real dinosaur eggs – individual eggs and egg clutches – in many countries worldwide.

Scientists have not found eggs from every dinosaur species, but from the eggs found, they have summarized that in a lot of cases, herbivore dinosaurs laid round eggs (or oval), and carnivores laid elongated eggs.

To better understand the different dinosaur eggs discovered, let’s look at some of the amazing discoveries. 

How Big Was the Biggest Dinosaur Egg? What is the Size of a Fossil Dinosaur Egg?  

The sizes and shapes of dinosaur eggs vary from being round to oblong and even elongated. It’s difficult to determine actual sizes as the thickness of the eggshell is not always clear. Here are some interesting facts about dinosaur egg sizes:

● Largest dinosaur eggs – the largest dinosaur eggs are considered to be laid by sauropods. One of the first and largest is the Hypselosaurus dinosaur eggs from France. 

● Smallest dinosaur eggs – An egg found in Japan is considered to be the smallest dinosaur eggs found. http://www.geologyin.com/2020/08/fossilized-dinosaur-egg-found-in-japan.html

● First dinosaur eggs – the first eggs were discovered in France in 1859 and were also the first fossil specimens to be scientifically accepted as dinosaur eggs. (Source)   

● Soft-shell dinosaur eggs – the first dinosaur eggs are thought to have been soft-shelled, leathery instead of hard. These are comparable to modern-day turtle, lizards, and snakes that lay soft eggs. 

● Hard-shell dinosaur eggs – Dinosaurs such as sauropods are considered to have laid hard-shelled eggs and represent the dinosaur egg fossils that have been found. 

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Where Are Real Dinosaur Eggs Found?     

Dinosaur eggs have been found worldwide, and there are over 200 documented discoveries from all different dinosaur species. Interestingly, scientists have a classification even for dinosaur eggs, called parataxonomy (Source). Although there are many discoveries of dinosaur eggs, it’s not always possible to match the dinosaur that laid them and this classification helps to match them. (Source)

In the table below, I list dinosaur egg discoveries and compare where they were found and potential value. In the first column I list the dinosaur species and in the second I list where the dinosaur eggs were found. In the third column I list the potential value (high, medium or low) and in the fourth and fifth column I list whether the eggs are singular or multiple and they type of dinosaur (herbivore or carnivore). It’s interesting to notice that dinosaur eggs have been found on many continents.

These egg discoveries are adding evidence that most, if not all, dinosaurs laid eggs. Even the apex predator Tyrannosaurus Rex is suggested to have laid eggs. The recent discovery of a pregnant T. Rex (Source) and baby T. Rex in 2020 (Source) supports this thinking.

Scholars have determined that the morphology of these egg fossils—such as shell thickness, curvature, and the presence of surface pores—can be indicative of the environmental conditions at the time of deposition. These characteristics are critical in distinguishing genuine specimens from fraudulent ones, a necessary step given the illicit trade in counterfeit eggs. The authenticity of a Real Fossilized Dinosaur Egg significantly influences its valuation, with the most pristine and rare examples fetching substantial sums in both academic and collectors’ markets.

Dinosaur Egg Discoveries – Where Have The Trace Fossils Been Found?

New Dinosaur Egg Discoveries in 2022 and 2023      

In 2022 and 2023, several significant dinosaur egg discoveries were made:

• A study published in National Science Review suggests that the first dinosaur egg was leathery, and the major transition in egg morphology occurred early in the evolution of theropod dinosaurs. (Source)
• Titanosaur fossil nests: Researchers uncovered 92 fossil nests belonging to some of India’s largest dinosaurs, providing intimate details about the lives of titanosaurs in the Indian subcontinent. (Source)
• Paleontologists discovered Natovenator, a small and almost duck-like dinosaur that lived in the Cretaceous period. (Source)
• A delicately preserved dinosaur embryo still inside the egg indicates that some non-avian dinosaur traits were inherited from their earlier ancestors. (Source)
• The first known dinosaur egg? A new discovery from the Museum’s collection, Patagotitan, is a dinosaur egg that was collected at least 80 years before dinosaur eggs were first scientifically described. (Source)
• Dinosaur Qianlong shouhu: A sauropodomorph dinosaur known from the bones of adult animals, as well as eggs and embryos. (Source)

Recent Sales and Records

In light of recent transactions, you’d be astonished to learn that some dinosaur egg fossils have sold for record-breaking sums, reflecting their rarity and scientific value. These ancient relics, encapsulating life from millions of years ago, have captured the fascination of collectors and researchers alike.

To give you a clearer picture, consider the following:

1. A well-preserved Oviraptor egg sold for over $100,000, due to its rarity and exceptional condition.
2. In 2020, a collection of dinosaur eggs fetched more than $50,000 at auction, underscoring the sustained demand.
3. A single, scientifically significant dinosaur egg can command prices upwards of tens of thousands of dollars.
4. A record was set when a clutch of dinosaur eggs was auctioned for a staggering $600,000, showcasing the premium placed on complete specimens.

The valuation of these fossils is a testament to their unique status as windows into a prehistoric world, with prices often soaring due to their rarity and the insights they provide.

Figuring out the value of a real dinosaur egg can be a tricky business. The fossil egg value, or dinosaur egg price, depends on a number of factors including the species, condition, and completeness of the egg. Generally, well-preserved eggs from rarer dinosaur species can fetch higher prices at auction, with some dinosaur egg prices reaching into the six-figure range.

In the table below, I list dinosaur egg discoveries and compare where they were found and potential value. In the first column I list the dinosaur species and in the second I list where the dinosaur eggs were found. In the third column I list the potential value (high, medium or low) and in the fourth and fifth column I list whether the eggs are singular or multiple and they type of dinosaur (herbivore or carnivore). It’s interesting to notice that dinosaur eggs have been found on many continents.

Table 1 - Comparison of Dinosaurs, Their Eggs, and Value

Dinosaur Name	Where Dino Eggs Found	Value Level	Singular or Multiple	Herbivore or Carnivore
Protoceratops	Gobi Desert, Mongolia	Medium	Multiple	Herbivore
Maiasaurus	Montana, USA	Medium	Multiple	Herbivore
Oviraptor	Gobi Desert, Mongolia	High	Multiple	Herbivore
Deinonychus	Montana, USA	High	Multiple	Carnivore
Hypselosaurus	France	High	Singular	Herbivore
Heyuannia	Heyuan, China	Medium	Singular	Herbivore
Mussaurus	Argentina	High	Singular	Herbivore
Therizinosaurus	Gobi Desert, Mongolia	High	Multiple	Herbivore
Dinosaur Name	Where Dino Eggs Found	Value Level	Singular or Multiple	Herbivore or Carnivore

Some of the key places where paleontologists have found fossilized dinosaur eggs or clutches of eggs are: 

● Argentina – trace eggs were found, and it was laid by Mussaurus, a long-necked, plant-eating dinosaur.

● North America – One of the most famous dinosaur nesting grounds in the US are found in Montana, where Maiasaurus dinosaur eggs and clutches have been discovered.

● China – Thousands of eggs have been discovered in the city of Heyuan. Scientists suggest that they are laid by an oviraptor dinosaur Heyuannia huangi as multiple fossil skeletons have also been found close to the egg fossils. (Source)

● France – The first scientifically recognized eggs were found in France in 1859. The dinosaur eggs were Hypselosaurus eggs, a Jurassic period sauropod. 

● Mongolia – The Citipati, an oviraptor dinosaur, have been found next to clutches of eggs. The Citipati fossils were found in the Gobi Desert of Mongolia. Other eggs found in Mongolia belonged to Protoceratops and included the embryo intact showing baby dinosaurs. The Gobi Desert also holds the amazing discovery of 17 clutches of dinosaur eggs that belong to the Therizinosaurus, the dinosaur with the long claws. If you want to know more about this amazing dinosaur, check out my article What Was the Herbivore Dinosaur with Long Claws? Some Surprising Facts

How Do You Know If You Found a Dinosaur Egg? Sauropod and Titanosaur Eggs Are Rare – T. Rex Eggs Have Never Been Found

If you want to buy a real dinosaur egg or you want actually to join an expedition and search for dinosaur eggs, there are some things that you can do to determine if they are real and estimate the value. 

How to Identify Real Dinosaur Eggs So You Can Evaluate the Value     

With the high demand and big money at stake, illicit trade in fakes and black-market bones has emerged in recent years. These fakes often originate in China or Morocco, though both countries yield large amounts of legitimate material. Fakes are also popular at auctions and online.

Because trade in dinosaur fossils is a market based on scientific knowledge, fossil collectors who don’t know about fossils can be easily tricked. 

So here are some things you can do to help determine if the egg fossil you have found or are planning to buy is genuine and has real dinosaur egg worth:

To the untrained eye, a collection of fossilized eggs might as well be a pile of pebbles. Even for the professionals, identifying real dinosaur eggs might get pretty confusing. So, how do you make sure that what you have is actually the real deal?

● The first thing to ask when determining if you have found real dinosaur eggs is the location. Dinosaur fossils can only turn up in particular rock formations in certain areas around the world. Using data from the Paleontology Database Interactive map can show you everywhere on Earth where dinosaur fossils have been found.

● Real dinosaur eggs usually have an easily identifiable shell which differs significantly from the enclosed sediments either by having fine surface ornamentation or a specific type of crystalline structure in cross-section.

● The thickness of the trace fossil eggs should be roughly uniform, they are usually slightly curved, and their surface is covered in tiny pores to facilitate gas exchange. To confirm the pores, take a magnifying glass over the “shell” and see if you can see the pores. If the shell is too thick and you can’t find any pores, you will most likely be looking at a rock.

● Also, because eggshell tends to be brittle, the shell is almost always heavily cracked. Ironically, if the eggs are like that of modern birds, it most likely won’t be a real dinosaur egg.

● As a last resort, you can confirm them by licking it. By just taking a quick tip of your tongue on the egg, you can identify whether what you have is real or not. Authentic fossil eggs are expected to stick to the tongue slightly. A fossil will be stickier than an ordinary rock because of its porous nature.

How To Spot Fake Dinosaur Eggs and Ask an Expert for Help       

If you live near a natural history museum or a university with a paleontology department, a curator or a professional paleontologist might be willing to look at your discovery. It might take the professional weeks or months to get around to looking at your pictures or the “egg” itself before telling you whether it was the real deal or not.

First, the best way to avoid fake eggs is to go and collect them yourself, that way the fossil authenticity can be certain. However, always make sure to follow the laws and have permission to collect before proceeding. In the United States, typically, a good way to follow the Law is through collecting private land with expressed permission from the landowner.

Views of paleontologists do range on private ownership of fossils, with many not condoning or endorsing. However, if you are going to buy, do everything possible to ensure the egg or any fossil was legally collected.

Often with fake eggs, everything seems too perfect. Eggs are delicate and easily crushed or damaged, so if there are no signs of any damage or natural alterations, be very wary. If the surface has ridges, check to see those ridges continue across a crack or break of the shell.

Many fake eggs are mosaics made up of real eggshell fragments assembled in an egg shape.

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Related Fossils and Dinosaur Articles You Might Also Be Interested In:
Learn How Dinosaur Eggs Are Fossilized And Identified
Why Some Dinosaur Bones Last So Long
Can You Buy and Own a Dinosaur Bone? The Law vs the Science
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Conclusion

A real dinosaur egg is a rare and highly sought-after artifact, and its value can vary greatly depending on several factors. The worth of a fossil egg is influenced by its rarity, condition, and the species it belongs to. For instance, a well-preserved Tyrannosaurus rex egg could fetch a significantly higher price than a less rare species’ egg.

The question of how much a dinosaur egg is worth is not a straightforward one. The value of a dinosaur egg fossil price can range from a few thousand dollars to millions, depending on the factors mentioned earlier. A petrified dinosaur egg value is often determined by the interest of private collectors and museums, as well as the rarity of the specimen. In 2024, the market for real dinosaur eggs remains competitive, with prices reflecting the unique nature of these prehistoric treasures.

Frequently Asked Questions