Chondrite – LL 3.00; Western Sahara

This is a complete slice of a meteorite whose constituents are nearly unchanged since having formed within the gaseous solar nebula from which our solar system was born. Unlike the case with 99.999% of all meteorites, there is no metamorphism whatsoever…no alteration from heat or pressure. This is a complete slice of what is among the most primitive planetary materials known. There is less than seven pounds (3.1 kilograms) of similarly primitive planetary material in existence. Devoutly sought-after by scientists, unmetamorphosed meteorites like NWA 12692 are the raw ingredients from which our solar system formed. It was the formation of chondrules and their subsequent accretion along with dust and grains of metallic iron-nickel that is largely responsible for the formation of our planets — and this meteorite reveals those raw ingredients prior to the alterative effects from heating in planetary bodies.

While 3.05, 3.10 and 3.15 subtypes are extremely rare and represent almost no metamorphosis (see lots 42 and 58) — this complete slice is an extraordinarily rare complete slice of perfection — a 3.00 subtype chondrite, a Holy Grail in the science of meteoritics, the most primordial and unmetamorphosed planetary material that can exist.

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.

29 x 34 x 2mm (1 x 1.33 x 0.1 in.) and 6.039 grams