Morocco, Mid-Cretaceous period, 112-99.6 million years ago. This RARE ammonite is of a type that is much more scarce than typical solid coil ammonites. This type here is called a heteromorph and it features an open coil with space in between each whorl to the center. The exact species is not determined but these circular varieties are even more rare than the J-shaped open coil specimens found in the same region. Rare presence of the original shell preserved in solid calcite. The burnt orange color is natural and has been enhanced and sealed to bring it back to the original calcite tone as when it was first found prior to removing the surrounding rock on the surface, to expose the fossil. You can even see INTERNAL chamber detail preserved in the form of small "oak leaf" patterns. The ridged anatomy you see is ORIGINAL AND NATURAL. No fabrication and with only repair and crack filling due to the inevitable damage these rare fossils sustain in extraction. From the coastal Cretaceous deposits of Agadir, Morocco, heteromorph ammonites of this circular, open-coil nature are only very rarely found in this size class. This is an especially fine example with 100% of the natural chamber detail preserved upon completion of matrix removal. Beware of completely carved fakes that offer no trace of original chamber detail as this is a problem in the market today. Ammonites that occur this size naturally are EXTREMELY RARE! Size: 17-3/4" W x 14-1/2" H (45 cm x 37 cm).

Provenance: ex-Paleo Direct Collection, Florida, USA

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#110547

Very minor repair but no fabrication; Natural color - fully exposed center