Lot 63
Lot 63
AN ENIGMATIC COMPLETE END PIECE OF NWA 1878

Mesosiderite, class B; The Sahara Desert

Price Realised GBP 2,520
Estimate
GBP 1,500 - GBP 2,500
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AN ENIGMATIC COMPLETE END PIECE OF NWA 1878

Mesosiderite, class B; The Sahara Desert

Price Realised GBP 2,520
Price Realised GBP 2,520
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Details
A large metallic nodule dominates the piece, which has been etched.

Mesosiderites are a class of stony-iron meteorites that consist of roughly equal parts of metallic nickel-iron and silicate. There are only six mesosiderites with the designation of class B. Unlike pallasites, which formed at the boundary of the stony mantle and molten core of an asteroid that was later disrupted by a collision, the formation of mesosiderites is less well understood. One leading model is that this material formed when the semi-molten core of one asteroid collided with the solidified basalt-strewn surface of a larger asteroid. This specimen appears to have been collisionally melted after it formed; coagulated metal nodules were surrounded by silicate-rich melt.

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.
90 mm x 55 mm x 20 mm (312 x 218 x 34)
164g.
Special notice
This lot will be removed to Christie’s Park Royal. Christie’s will inform you if the lot has been sent offsite. Our removal and storage of the lot is subject to the terms and conditions of storage which can be found at Christies.com/storage and our fees for storage are set out in the table below - these will apply whether the lot remains with Christie’s or is removed elsewhere. Please call Christie’s Client Service 24 hours in advance to book a collection time at Christie’s Park Royal. All collections from Christie’s Park Royal will be by pre-booked appointment only. Tel: +44 (0)20 7839 9060 Email: cscollectionsuk@christies.com. If the lot remains at Christie’s it will be available for collection on any working day 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. Lots are not available for collection at weekends.
This lot has been imported from outside of the UK for sale and placed under the Temporary Admission regime. Import VAT is payable at 5% on the hammer price. VAT at 20% will be added to the buyer’s premium but will not be shown separately on our invoice.
Please note this lot is the property of a consumer. See H1 of the Conditions of Sale.
Brought to you by
James HyslopHead of Department, Science & Natural History
A Christie's specialist may contact you to discuss this lot or to notify you if the condition changes prior to the sale.
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