Loading, please wait...

Use mousewheel to zoom in and out, click to enlarge

Details

LOT 1856

Natural History - Nantan Meteorite

FELL 1516 A.D., FOUND 1958 A.D.

1 7/8 in. (26 grams, 48 mm).

A nickel iron meteorite (111CD) with a composition of 92.35% iron and 6.96% nickel. [No Reserve]

Provenance

From Nantan Nandan County, Guangxi Region, China.
From an old Lincoln, UK, collection.

Literature

See Graham, Bevan and Hutchison, Catalogue of Meteorites, Natural History Museum, 1985, p.253, for details of this fall.

Footnotes

The Nantan meteorite fell in 1516, as recorded in ancient Chinese texts; the fall exploded during descent which resulted in a shower of many individual iron meteorites over an area some 28km x 8km in Nantan County, Guangxi, China. Classified as an iron meteorite; 111CD Course Octohedrite, the composition is approximately 92% iron, 6% nickel and contains more than ten other minerals including kamacite, taenite, dominate, plessite, schreibersite, triolite, graphite and others.

CONDITION

VETTING:

TimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process


AUCTIONS:

TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.

LOT 1856

Natural History - Nantan Meteorite

Sold for (Inc. bp): £111

Print page

RELATED LOTS

  • Natural History - Campo del Cielo Meteorite Group
    Natural History - Campo del Cielo Meteorite Group
    Fell 6000-5000 years B.P.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £91

    A group of two Campo del Cielo nickel iron (IAB) meteorites; each held in a plastic display case with identification label. 18.8 grams total, case 40 x 34 mm each



    From Chaco Province, Argentina, found 1576. Property of a Sussex, UK, teacher.

    A crater field of roughly 26 craters was found in the vicinity of this crater, which is estimated to date to 4-5 thousand years BP. The age of the meteorite itself is thought to be c.4.5 billion years, formed as part of the development of this solar system. The largest two fragments, the 30.8 ton Gancedo and 28.8 ton El Chaco, are among the heaviest meteorite masses ever recovered on Earth. In 1576, the governor of a province in Northern Argentina commissioned the military to search for a large mass of iron, which it was believed ‘the natives’ claimed had fallen from the sky and which they used for their weapon production. The expedition discovered a large mass of metal which was assumed to be an iron mine and brought back a few samples, which were described as being of unusual purity. Following the legends, in 1774 Don Bartolomé Francisco de Maguna rediscovered the iron mass. He himself did not believe that the stone had fallen from the sky and assumed that it had formed by a volcanic eruption. However, he sent the samples to the Royal Society of London. In 1990 it became protected by law.

    Lot Details

  • Natural History - Amethyst Crystal Pendant Group
    Natural History - Amethyst Crystal Pendant Group

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £59

    A group of ten amethyst crystal pendants, each displayed in an acrylic box. 154 grams total, 58 x 40 mm including case each



    From Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Mineral Imports, London, UK. Gregory, Bottley & Lloyd (Gregory's).

    Lot Details

  • Natural History - Aragonite  Sputnik Cluster Crystal Group
    Natural History - Aragonite 'Sputnik' Cluster Crystal Group

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £20

    A group of 50 red aragonite 'sputnik' clusters, each formed from several pseudohexagonal crystals. 358 grams total, 23-34 mm



    From Morocco, North Africa. Mineral Imports, London, UK. Gregory, Bottley & Lloyd (Gregory's).

    Lot Details

Stay up-to-date with the latest from TimeLine Auctions by joining our mailing list