Best Holotype
The London Archaeopteryx, described by Richard Owen in 1863 and held at the Natural History Museum London, was the second specimen recognized and helped establish the genus as a transitional bird-dinosaur.
Why this score?
Historically foundational Archaeopteryx specimen; less complete than Berlin but crucial to bird evolution debates.
Scoring methodology
CM 84 is the holotype skeleton of Diplodocus carnegii, a long-necked diplodocid sauropod excavated in Wyoming in 1899 and housed at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh. The species was named in honor of industrialist Andrew Carnegie, whose support enabled full-size plaster casts of...
Why this score?
Historically iconic sauropod, globally distributed casts, strong scientific and museum legacy.
Scoring methodology
Sue, catalogued as FMNH PR 2081, is a large and unusually complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton discovered by Sue Hendrickson in South Dakota in 1990. The Field Museum in Chicago acquired the specimen at auction in 1997 for $8.36 million and placed it on public display after preparation. Sue preserves...
Why this score?
Iconic, exceptionally complete T. rex; major scientific value, museum fame, strong public and expert recognition.
Scoring methodology
