A 1,000-pound geode, mosasaur skeleton, and head to auction
On December 2, Heritage Auctions will host its highly anticipated Nature & Science Auction, featuring an extraordinary collection of fossils, minerals, and other natural wonders, all sourced from a single, exceptional consignor. Craig Kissick, Vice President of Nature & Science at Heritage, emphasized the rarity of such a diverse and high-quality collection entering the market, stating that it includes treasures appealing to a wide range of collectors. The auction promises to be a remarkable event, showcasing items that span eras and geological formations, from ancient fossils to stunning mineral specimens.
Among the standout pieces is a striking 22-foot-long mosasaur fossil skeleton, dating back to the Cretaceous Period. This apex predator once roamed the Western Interior Seaway, which covered parts of what is now the central United States. Known for its serpentine body and sharp jaws, the mosasaur was an expert ambush predator. The fossil was meticulously unearthed from the Niobrara Chalk Formation in Kansas, a site renowned for its exceptional preservation of prehistoric marine life. In addition to the mosasaur, the auction features a 10-foot-long skeleton of the crocodile relative Steneosaurus bollensis, which dates back to the Early Jurassic. This specimen, discovered in Germany, is characterized by its lighter skull and specialized breathing adaptations, allowing it to thrive in warm, shallow seas. Other notable items include a rare freshwater turtle fossil from the Early Eocene and an impressive 1,933-pound amethyst geode from Uruguay, showcasing the intricate beauty of geological formations.
The auction will also present unique decorative items, such as a backgammon set crafted from polished petrified wood and nephrite, as well as a Marra Mamba Tiger’s-Eye Sphere from Australia. Each of these pieces reflects the artistry and natural history that collectors cherish. As the auction approaches, enthusiasts can explore the full catalog and prepare for bidding, which begins at 10:50 a.m. CST. This event is not just an opportunity to acquire remarkable specimens; it is a celebration of the Earth’s natural history and the stories these artifacts tell. For more details and images of the auction lots, interested parties can visit Heritage Auctions’ website.
Fossils
, purple geodes, and more are hitting the auction block during Heritage’s Nature & Science Auction on December 2.
“This is an exceptional event, with every lot from the same consignor,” Craig Kissick, Heritage’s Vice President of Nature & Science
said in a statement
. “Collections like this, with this level of both quality and variety, rarely reach the collecting market. From fossils to meteorites, and minerals to lapidary arts, this auction has treasures that will appeal to collectors of all kinds.”
Read about some of the upcoming auction’s highlights below.
(Click to expand images to full screen.)
The 22-foot-long mosasaur fossil skeleton dates back to the Cretaceous Period, when this powerful reptile was an apex predator swimming around the Western Interior Seaway that once covered the central United States. They are known for their serpentine-like bodies, sharp jaws, and ambushing. This specimen was uncovered in Kansas’ Niobrara Chalk Formation. This fossil site features limestone that has helped preserve them over time.
Image: Heritage Auctions/HA.com.
Thomas Wiewandt
This 10-foot-long skeleton of crocodile relative
Steneosaurus bollensis
is also up for bid. It dates back to the Early Jurassic and was uncovered in Germany’s Posidonienschiefer Shale. Compared with modern crocodiles, the skull is lighter and narrower, and has more elongated, and tapered snout. Its nostrils also sit at the top of the snout and are connected to the throat via a bony canal. This physical shape helped the reptile breathe when partially submerged in warm, shallow seas of the Jurassic. Its sharp, conical teeth were also best suited for snatching fish.
Image: Heritage Auctions/HA.com.
This freshwater turtle specimen dates back about 50 million years ago during the Early Eocene. It was uncovered in present-day Lincoln County, Wyoming—a fossil-rich area known for well-preserved prehistoric plant life. This specimen represents a juvenile
Axestemys byssinus
. According to Heritage, complete turtles of this size (almost 18 inches long) are exceedingly rare.
Image: Heritage Auctions/HA.com.
A Marra Mamba Tiger’s-Eye Sphere from Australia.
Image: Heritage Auctions/HA.com.
A backgammon set with board and pieces, also uncovered from Australia. The game is made with highly polished slabs of petrified wood from Arizona and has an interior of Australian tiger’s-eye. Game pieces are made of black and white nephrite.
Image: Heritage Auctions/HA.com.
This amethyst geode with calcite crystal from Uruguay is truly a giant gem. It weighs in at 1,933 pounds and is 44 inches long. The calcite crystal stands 10 inches high and the amethyst crystals are considered gem quality. Geodes like this one originate within volcanic vugs, or hollow cavities that were created by ancient gas bubbles within solidified lava. Over thousands of years, mineral-rich hydrothermal fluids percolated into these voids, bringing in layers of iron and silica that crystallized under the immense heat and pressure from Earth’s core and mantle to form the amethyst’s purple hue.
Image: Heritage Auctions/HA.com.
Additional images and information about all lots in this auction
can be found here
. Bidding begins on Tuesday December 2 at 10:50 a.m. CST.
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A 1,000-pound geode, mosasaur skeleton, and head to auction
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