Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 43

Manuscript and Collectibles Auction

Meteorites

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 926		Beautiful Polished Sectio Of A Brand New Pallasite Meteorite. Pallasites are by far the rarest of the major types of meteorites and are thought to have originated at the mantle-core boundary of avery large differentiated asteroids that was destroyed during the early formation of the solar system. They are a combination of iron-nickle and olivine crystals. The gemstone of olivine known as peridot are mixed in the iron-nickle matrix. One large 1003 kg meteorited was recovered near Fukang, China in 2000. This valuable meteorite was sold to aconsortium of buyers for million of dollors and most of it remitans intact and will not be sold. What makes this meteorite so special is that the crystals of olivine are huge compared to the other known pallasites. This large 3.3 x 2.8 inch specimen weigh 5 gms and has been thinly cut at great loss of metal gemstone from space is housed in a5.5 x 4.5inc h Ricker mount. Add $15.00 for domestic shipping. Estimated Value $800 - 900. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $863
Lot 927		Moon Rock From A Lunar Meteorite. This fairly large .450 gram 12.4 mm x 10.4 mm x 1.7 mm thick section of the moon meteorite Dhofar 081 is housed in a special membrane box for visibility on all sides and also comes with a statement of origin and authenticity. Lunar meteorites are the most desirable and expensive of all the types of meteorites recoverd and are even rarer than meteorites from Mars. For some reason, all of the recovered lunar meteorites are small and Dhofar 081 was a 174 gram brownish gary meteorite that was found in the Dhofar region of the Oman desert on November 29, 1999. it has been classifies as a Lunar feldspathic fragmental breccia which means that is a mixture of several different types of moon rocks that were and partially mixed together when a large meteorite crashed into the moon millions of years ago. This rock mixture was vaporized and ejected from the moon and eventaully made its way to the earth. This section is large enough to observed the white and light gray clasts in a dark gary matrix. The different colored rocks (the white and gray clasts) are what makes this meteorite a breccia. This very valubale meteorite is housed in a clear membrane box and a 5.5 x 4 .5 inch riker box. Add $15.00 for domestic shipping. Estimated Value $700 - 800. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $805
Lot 928		Own A Piece Of A Comet. The Murchison meteorite is one of the most important and well studied meteorites ever discoverd. Murchison meteorites landed in Australia in 1969 and were found to be the most primitive meteorites known, virtually unchanged since they formed at the same time as the solar system 4.57 billion years ago. Murchison meteorites contain 12 per cent water and many organic compaunds which makes it very different from most of the meteorites which originate in the asteroid belt. NASA planetary scientist consider Murchison to be cometary in origin being a piece of the comet nucleus which broke off during a comets journey around the sun. What makes Murchison even more special is that it contains over 80 different amino acids. On earth are only 19 Amino acids that make up all living creatures while Murchison contains these 19 plus 61 different amino acids.The presence of amino acids in a meteorite gives us a good idea as the possible source of the building blocks of life. In earth's early history there was a tremendous bombardment of meteorites and most if not all of the water found on earth today may have originated in comets. This sizable specimen of Murchison weighs 2.1 grams and is 14 mm x 11 mm hosued in a special membrane box for observation on all sides. The meteorite is a black color with lighter gray spherical chondrules. Most specimens of Murchison offered are much smaller size due to the high value and desirability of this famous and important meteorite. Also housed in 4 x 3 inch Riker Mount. Add $15.00 for domestic shipping. Estimated Value $500 - 600. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $437
Lot 929		Rare And Beautiful Knife Made From An Iron-Nickel Meteorite. This quite large 10.5 inch long collector knife has a 6 x 1 inch blade that has been cut, polished and etched from a Muonionalusta iron-nickel meteorite from Sweden and a handle from a cholla cactus. The blade displays a extremely detailed Widmanstatten pattern made by the mix of two alloys of nickel when the asteroid that it came from slowly cooled at the time of its formation some 3.57 billion years ago. The Widmanstatten pattern of the Muonionalusta is so spectacular because it has been determined from chemical analysis to be from the dame parent body as the much coveted Gibeon meteorite. Muonionalusta meteorites were found north of the article circle near Norrbotten, Sweden. The first one was found in 1906 and many rusted and weathered specimens have been recovered since in one of the largest strewnfields for meteorites found being over 30 x 10 kilometers in diameter. The outside surface of these meteorites is is quited weathered and ugly, but the inside structure is beautiful and quite stable. Add $20.00 for domestic shipping. Estimated Value $800 - 900. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $834
Lot 930		Complete Section From A Rare Diogenite Meteorite. Almost all recovered meteorites originate from the asteroid belt between Jupiter and Mars. Only a very few meteorites have been identified as to the planetary body of their origin, the moon, mars or the large asteroid vesta. This large 3.75 x 2.5 inch 80.2 gram valubale complete slice of Dhofar 700 is a rare Diogenite, one of three types of meteorites being identified as originating on the asteroid Vesta based on their reflective spectra compared with Vesta. Vesta is a very large asteroid with a diameter of over 326 miles having both a light and dark surface like that of our moon. It also has an immense impact crater that is so deep that it exposes the asteroid's interior. Diogenites are believed to be from the deeper regions of the interior of Vesta. Twelve dark gray stony meteorites weighing a total of 2.77 kg were found on November 15, 2002 in the Dhofar desert region of Oman. These rare meteorites were somewhat weathered missing most of their fusion crust indicating that thay fell thousands of year ago. Because of their raruity and value, Diogenites are usually only available in very small sizes of few grams in weight. This 80.2 gram complete slice is a tan to brown color with an equigranular texture consisting mostly of orthopyroxene, olivine and silicates. There is even a small area on the edge that does have a little fusion crust. One side of section has been polished while the backside is natural. This is a rare opportunity to have a sizeable meteorite section from the asteroid Vesta for study and display. Add $15.00 for domestic shipping. Estimated Value $600 - 800. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $661
Lot 931		Large 2 1/4 Pound Meteorite From Meteor Crater. This 2 1/4 pound and 2.75 inch Canyon Diablo iron-nickel meteorite is a good sized example of the most sought after iron meteorite by collectors. Coming from the elliptical field around Meteor Crater near Winslow, Arizona, this area has been closed to collectors for many years and single meteorites over one pound in size are in great demand. Most specimens offered are just small fragments weighing less than100 grams. This 2 1/4 pound specimen has all the qualities desired in a Canyon Diablo meteorite, excellent shape, sharp edges and beautiful gunmetal color. The sharp edges resulted from the tremendous explosion that occurred several miles above the actual crater several thousands of year ago. Initially, it was believed that the main mass of this enormous meteorite was buried in the crater and minig company was established to excavate it for profit. A copy of the meteor Crater Exploration & Mining Company stock cerrtificate is included with this lot. Brandon Barringer and his mining company soon went out of business when no meteorites were found within the mile wide crater. This is a rare chance to acquire a good size Canyon Diablo meteorite for your collection. Add $20.00 for domestic shipping. Estimated Value $500 - 600. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $518
Lot 932		Jewerly From Space. This unique 18 inch long necklace is made from 33 1cm polished stony meteorite spheres and weighs four ounces. Since the ordinary chondrite stony meteorite NWA 869 was formed during the formation of the solar system, these meteorite beads are 3.57 billion years old making them older than any rocks found on earth today. A large number of small stony meteorites weighing nearly 3000kg were found near Tindouf, Algeria in 1999. These stony meteorites were classified as L. 5 ordinary chondrites and have a dark brown color with flecks of iron and flecks of lighter, colorful chondrites. Chondrites are spherical silicates that formed from the hot gases that coalesced into small spheres that accumulated to form larger and larger pieces that eventually resulted in the formation planets and the asteroids. This 18 inch long one of a kind necklace has 22 carat gold bead spacers every three beads and a vermeil gold over silver clasp with a center stone made of Pietersite. For the man who truly wants to but his wife a present that is out of this world that is bothbeautiful and fascinating. Add $25.00 for domestic shipping. Estimated Value $500 - 750. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $719