Lot 1646
78.5 Pound Campo Del Cielo Meteorite. This huge 12 x 11 x 6 inch iron-nickel specimen is not only the heaviest complete meteorite we have auctioned, but also one of the most aesthetically pleasing, with a plethora of regmaglypts which form when the meteorite enters the atmosphere at a high velocity, creating very high temperatures that selectively melt the pockets of Troilite (iron sulfide) much more readily than the iron-nickel matrix.
Known as Campo del Cielo (field of the sky), these meteorites fell over 4,000 years ago in Gran Chaco Gualamba, Argentina and were written about in 1576 by the Spanish governor who learned about them from local Indians who believed the iron stones fell from the sky. A large 60 ton meteorite known as Meson de Fiero (large table of iron) was sent back by ship to Spain and melted down. The best specimens of Campos, such as this one, are known as new Campos as they are found higher up in the mountains and have not been worn down by rusting from rain water.
Add $75.00 for domestic shipping.
Estimated Value $4,000 - 5,000.
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| Realized $4,830 |
