Natural History - Pyrite Chunk 'Fools Gold' Specimen Group [100]

Comprising two polished examples. 140 grams total, 58-68 mm



From a Lincolnshire, UK, collection.

A rare complete example of Paratriakis curtirostris within micritic matrix, displaying the spine, fins and tail with visible fin supports; the head with a number of teeth in situ; mounted in a custom-made wooden frame with a textured insert. 40.1 kg total, shark: 81 cm (68 x 127.5 cm)



Found Haqel, Lebanon. Ex Fine Fossils, UK. From the private collection of Mr J.G., a company executive. Studied by the University of Manchester, UK. Accompanied by an original signed handwritten note from Sir David Attenborough, 7 November 2022, which reads 'Dear J[ ] G[ ], You are indeed lucky to have such a spectacular fossil. Best wishes, David Attenborough'. Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Fine Fossils with certificate no.COLL011. Accompanied by a detailed geological report by Paul Goodrich. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12091-214455.

Paratriakis curtirostris was a resident in the shallows of the Tethys Ocean, which separated Africa, Europe, Indo-Australia and Asia. The genus is now extinct, but has a relative in the modern-day dogfish Triakis.

Knightia alta specimen on a rectangular matrix. 397 grams, 13.3 cm



From Wyoming (Green River Formation), USA. From a Lincolnshire, UK, collection.

In southwest Wyoming (and parts of Colorado and Utah) in the Green River Formation are found some of the world's most outstanding specimens of fossil fish. The Green River system was composed of three lakes: Lake Ulinta, Lake Gosiute and Fossil Lake. These Eocene lakes lay in a series of intermountain basins formed by geological events that uplifted the Rocky Mountains during the early Tertiary time. The climate was much different from the desert-like climate of this area today. Both the fauna (crocodiles, alligators, boa constrictors and some subtropical fish families) and the flora (such as large palm trees) indicate a climate much like that found along the Gulf Coast today. Large amounts of ash found in the sediments indicate that volcanoes were particularly active at this time.