North America, Western United States, California, Baja, Upper Campanian in the Late Cretaceous period, ca. 83.6 to 65 million years ago. An outstanding fossilized ammonite that is fully excavated from the sediment with mesmerizing ammonitic suture patterns across the surface. Sutures are usually hidden by the material of the external shell wall, but here the wavy, fractal patterning is on full display - an aesthetically pleasing and natural part of ammonite anatomy! This ammonite species is Pachydiscus catarinae, which translates literally, to "thick disc of Caterina" due to the find sites in the Santa Catarina region of Baja California and Mexico. This size and type is rare, and many larger ammonites like this do not survive fossilization - the shells often compress and collapse under the pressure. Pachydiscus went extinct during the Cretaceous mass extinction that also wiped out the dinosaurs. Size: 12" L x 5.5" W x 11" H (30.5 cm x 14 cm x 27.9 cm); 17.5" H (44.4 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: Private Berthoud, Colorado, USA collection

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#177983

Professionally excavated, prepared, and polished. Losses to inner recessed coil surface. Stable fissures and clear surface coating / adhesive to protect fossil. Surface nicks and abrasions, but overall excellent.