Pallasite – PMG Anom; Erg Chech Sand Sea, Algeria

This is the first public offering of Erg Chech 007, the slice originates from a single mass discovered in the Algeria’s Erg Chech Sand Sea in 2020 (similar to lot 44). When news of this recovery was made, a greater search ensued, but additional specimens from this event were not found.

Pallasites are the result of the mingling of the stony mantle and iron core at the mantle/core boundary of an asteroid. It is because it only forms at such a boundary that just 0.2% of all meteorites are pallasites — the most beautiful extraterrestrial substance known. Erg Chech 007 (“EC 007”) however, is more-rare still. Of the 160 different pallasites documented, the chemical fingerprints of a small percentage, including this example, are so atypical, they have been classified as being anomalous.

One side of this specimen is polished to a mirror finish while the other showcases its natural metallic lattice. Its olivine is round with a distinctive mango hue. Originating from a single 8.33 kg mass, smaller than a bowling ball, specimens will be challenging to obtain and this is a select example.

Christie's would like to thank Dr. Alan E. Rubin at the Department of Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles for his assistance in preparing this catalogue.

81 x 113 x 2mm (3.2 x 4.5 x 0.1 in.) and 53.58 grams