Lot 1448
Complete Uncut Martian Mini-Meteorite. Meteorites from the planet Mars are so rare that only small fragments are available for sale. These rare meteorites have been identified as being from Mars because of their chemical analysis and age. They are younger than most of the meteorites from the asteroid belt that were formed at the same time as the solar system 4.5 billion years ago. It is now believed that most, if not all, of the Martian meteorites originated from one gigantic impact that left the more recent Zumba crater in the Daedalia Planum on Mars. Last year, in the Sahara Desert, 35 small individual meteorites with a total weight of only 82 grams were found and 20% of them were submitted for analysis (named NWA 4880) and found to be a rare Basaltic (volcanic) Martian Shergotite and represent the freshest of their kind found. This specimen weighs 0.947 grams and has about 50% of its original dark brown fusion crust from burning in the Earth's atmosphere. A somewhat larger 4 gram meteorite from this fall recently realized over $17,000 in auction in New York. This is a rare opportunity to acquite a complete marble-sized piece of the planet Mars. Comes with an identification card from the Hupe Collection.
Estimated Value $1,300 - 2,300.
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