Similar to lots 36 & 56. Representing less than 0.2% of all known meteorites, pallasites, when cut and polished, are widely considered the most dazzling otherworldly substance known.

The Seymchan meteorite shower occurred in Siberia. Unlike most pallasites, the dispersion of olivine crystals in Seymchan is extremely heterogeneous — some specimens are olivine-rich, some are olivine-poor, and some specimens have no olivine whatsoever (see lot 37). Now offered is a complete pocket-sized Seymchan meteorite with a sprinkling of olivine crystals studding its iron-nickel matrix.

In what is a most unusual feature on Seymchan specimens of this size are its fresh regmaglypts, i.e., the small thumbprint-like indentations that occur as a result of surficial frictional heating, melting and ablating as this meteorite slashed through Earth’s atmosphere. Regmaglypts are not in and of themselves rare — but they are exceedingly uncommon on small Seymchan specimens. Now offered is a superlative exception.

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.
89 x 53 x 28mm (3.5 x 2 x 1 in.) and 300 grams (0.66 lbs)