Should I Keep or Sell Fossils in Animal Crossing? A Comprehensive Guide

The age-old question for any budding paleontologist in Animal Crossing: New Horizons: should you keep those dusty fossils you’ve unearthed, or cash them in for some much-needed Bells? The short answer? It’s a bit of both, actually. A strategic approach that balances museum donations, island aesthetics, and financial gain is key to mastering the fossil game in ACNH. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown to help you make the best choices for your island life.

The Dual Value of Fossils

Fossils in Animal Crossing aren’t just buried bones; they are artifacts with multiple uses. The first and foremost goal should always be to donate each unique fossil to Blathers at the museum. Completing your museum collection is a rewarding achievement, unlocking a beautiful display and a sense of accomplishment. But once you’ve donated a fossil, what then? That’s where the decision of keeping or selling comes in.

Donating to Blathers: The Foundation of Your Collection

Your journey with fossils begins with donation. Before you even think about selling, ensure you’ve given each new fossil to Blathers. He’ll assess it, identify it, and if it’s new, add it to the museum’s impressive exhibit. This initial donation is crucial:

• Completes your museum: The main purpose of the fossil hunt is to complete this collection and get that sweet Museum Model!
• Unlocks content: Completing the fossil wing in your museum is part of a larger goal of completing all museum exhibits, and contributes to your island’s overall evaluation.
• Satisfies your inner completionist: Let’s be honest, the satisfaction of seeing all those dinosaur skeletons lined up is worth it.

Selling for Bells: A Steady Source of Income

Once you have completed your museum collection, and you will likely dig up duplicate fossils, these duplicates are a valuable source of income. While not the most lucrative form of income in the game, it’s a consistent, no-effort way to generate cash for your island adventures:

• Reliable daily income: You’ll dig up 4-5 fossils each day, providing a steady supply of items to sell.
• Funding other projects: Those Bells can go towards house upgrades, bridges, inclines, or that fancy furniture you’ve been eyeing.
• Quick Cash: Perfect for a quick influx of bells when you need it.

Displaying Fossils: Island Aesthetics and Star Rating

Besides donating and selling, consider using fossils as unique decorative elements for your island.

• Island Decor: Large fossils such as the T. Rex Skull and Brachio Skull can add a dramatic and unique flair to your landscape, boosting your island’s aesthetics.
• Island Rating: Displaying fossils can also help improve your island rating, contributing to those coveted five stars!

Making the Decision: When to Keep and When to Sell

Now that you understand the three main uses for fossils, it’s time to create your fossil strategy.

Keep if:

• It’s a new fossil that hasn’t been donated to the museum. Donation is always priority number one.
• You need a specific fossil for island decoration. Certain fossils can dramatically transform your island, adding a personalized touch.
• You want to give a good birthday gift to a villager to increase friendship (wrap a fossil with gift wrap!).

Sell if:

• It’s a duplicate of a fossil you’ve already donated.
• You need a quick influx of Bells for any upgrades or purchases.
• You have more fossils than you need to decorate the island.

Where to Sell and How to Maximize Profit

Fossils are worth a decent amount of Bells, but there are a few tips to make sure you are getting the most out of each sale.

• Nook’s Cranny: Timmy and Tommy will happily buy fossils, but they will offer the lowest prices.
• Online Trading: If you have an online subscription, you can find players offering higher prices for fossils than Nook’s Cranny on trading boards. Be sure to post that you have fossils to sell and negotiate prices before traveling!
• Villager Trades: Villagers will sometimes buy items from you, and you can set your own prices, potentially getting more than Nook’s Cranny.

The Bottom Line

The most effective approach in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is to prioritize donating unique fossils, use duplicates for decoration, and sell the rest for profit. There’s no single “right” answer, and the best strategy will depend on your personal goals for the game. Completing your museum collection should be your initial focus, but after that, fossils are a versatile item that can enrich your island experience in multiple ways.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How many fossils can I find on my island per day?

You can dig up four to five fossils each day on your island. The locations are random and there’s no way to predict which fossils will appear.

2. What is the most valuable fossil to sell?

The T. rex skull and Brachio skull are the most valuable fossils to sell, fetching 6,000 Bells each.

3. Can I bury fossils in the ground?

Yes, you can bury fossils in the ground. This is often used to prevent new fossils from spawning for that day.

4. What happens if I give a fossil to a villager?

Giving a villager a fossil, especially on their birthday with wrapping paper, can significantly increase your friendship with them. Wrap it for an even bigger friendship boost!

5. Can I sell fossils to Blathers?

No, you cannot sell fossils to Blathers. He only accepts them as donations for the museum.

6. How do I know which fossils I’ve already donated?

You can check the Nook Shopping app or visit the museum itself and check the fossil exhibits. Once an item has been cataloged, it can be seen and purchased through the app (but not fossils!)

7. Are all fossils worth the same amount of Bells?

No. Different fossils have different selling values. Large fossils, such as dinosaur skulls, are typically worth more than smaller ones.

8. Is there a way to guarantee which fossils will spawn?

No. The fossils that appear on your island each day are completely random.

9. Do fossils reappear in the same spots each day?

No. Fossil spawn points are randomized daily.

10. How do I get a perfect 5-star island rating?

Displaying fossils around your island is one of many ways to raise your island rating, along with keeping weeds pulled, placing enough furniture and flowers, and having a good ratio of water and cliff space.

11. What are Gold Nuggets used for?

Gold Nuggets are rare and valuable items in the game, used in crafting high-value items. They sell for a hefty amount of Bells or can be kept for crafting.

12. What is the fastest way to make money in Animal Crossing?

The quickest methods include playing the stalk market, time travel, and planting money trees, in addition to selling high-value fish and bugs.

13. Can I sell fossils on other islands?

Yes. With an online subscription you can visit other players’ islands, where the price for your fossils may be higher at their Nook’s Cranny or in a villager trade.

14. Can I complete the fossil section of the museum only with the fossils I find on my island?

It is possible but it would take a very long time. Trading with other players is the fastest way to collect all the fossils, to finish the fossil wing quickly.

15. Why are some fossils more rare than others?

Fossils do not have set levels of rarity; the fossil you unearth is random. However, finding the final fossil to complete the collection always takes the longest.

By balancing these factors, you can maximize the use of fossils in Animal Crossing: New Horizons for both museum completion, decorating, and financial growth. Happy digging!