A Mars rock was expected to sell at auction for $4 million. The final bid was for more
USA Today15 hrs
Mars Meteorite Sells for Record $5.3M at NYC Auction
Above: NWA 16788 on display before auction at Sotheby's New York on July 15, 2025, in New York City. Image copyright: Liao Pan/China News Service/VCG/Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
This sale represents a triumph for scientific discovery and private collecting. The meteorite hunter's dedication led to the discovery of this once-in-a-generation specimen, which provides invaluable data about Mars. Private collectors often loan items to museums and fund further research, creating a symbiotic relationship that benefits science.
Narrative B
Selling such scientifically significant specimens to anonymous private buyers is deeply problematic. This meteorite belongs in a museum where researchers can study it and the public can appreciate it. When rare specimens disappear into private vaults, science and education suffer tremendously.