Natural History
Natural History
No reserve
Lot Closed
December 3, 08:45 PM GMT
Estimate
2,000 - 3,500 USD
Lot Details
Description
Dronino Meteorite Flange With Naturally Formed Hole
Iron, ataxite (ungrouped)
Ryazan district, Russia (54° 44' N, 41° 25' E)
141 x 71 x 23mm (5.5 x 2.75 x 1 in.) and 652.7 grams (1.4 lbs.)
Dronino is a highly exotic meteorite which belongs to the exclusive “ungrouped” population of iron meteorites; while 90% of iron meteorites are members of established chemical groups, the other 10% are anomalous and chemically unrelated to other specimens. Dronino is one of these unusual, ungrouped irons which originated from a previously unsampled asteroid. Given the large percentage of nickel it contains, in terms of melt value Dronino is among the most valuable meteorites that exists — and this also in part explains its texture. Dronino meteorites were first discovered in 2000 by a mushroom hunter outside an ancient town founded in 1152. As nothing was ever written about what would have been quite a memorable arrival, it’s likely Dronino’s journey through interplanetary space ended when the area was unpopulated. Hewn by forces both on and off Earth, the result is this exotic form with an animated surface texture unique to Droninos. Accented with silver-hued highlights along with pewter-hued recesses, this otherworldly conversation piece is accompanied by a custom armature.