LOT 1124

NWA 4880 - Important Offering of an Oriented Meteorite from Mars
SNC - Balsaltic Shergottite (Mars Rock)
Sahara Desert, Algeria

Worthy of the world's foremost natural history museums, the current offering is the largest intact oriented meteorite from the planet Mars known to exist. At one time three larger examples existed, but they have since been subdivided for scientific analysis and distributed in the collecting community. NWA 4880 is the 4880th meteorite to be analyzed following recovery by nomadic Berbers in the North West African grid of the Sahara Desert.

Covered with a fresh, glossy "burnt-sugar" fusion crust, this is also among the largest individual meteorites associated with the largest shower of Martian meteorites known, an event which resulted in the recovery of dozens of much smaller specimens. Moreover, it evidences the phenomenon of orientation (unlike most meteorites it did not endlessly tumble and spin during its plunge through Earth's atmosphere). In sum, this is among the very finest complete Martian meteorites known to exist.

The number of small specimens recovered in the same area is proof of this meteorite being part of a larger mass that broke apart in the upper atmosphere. NWA 4880 was found in the same area as NWA 2975/2986/4766 and 4783, and it has been determined that all such meteorites are paired (evidence of a geochemical and isotopic match between different meteorites). The total known weight of all of these meteorites is less than 860 grams and most weigh just a few grams. Significantly, these are the only Martian meteorites in which complete specimens (meteorites which have not been subdivided as a result of the recovery of multiple specimens) are available. The most exotic meteorites are almost always available only as slices or fragments from larger masses, but given the number of specimens recovered from this event, many were spared subdivision.

A copy of the scientific abstract that cites this meteorite in the Meteoritical Bulletin is included. Held aloft in a custom armature covered by a Lucite dome secured to the pedestal's base, this is an extremely notable offering. Provenance: Macovich Collection. 57 x 375 x 33mm (2.25 x 1.25 x 1.25 inches) and 90.5 grams.

Estimate: $60,000 - 85,000