|
|
|
RARE HUGE LARGE ADULT ALBERTOSAURUS TOOTH Two Medicine Formation - North Central Montana, U.S.A. LATE CRETACEOUS PERIOD: 80 - 74 million years ago Most tyrannosaur dinosaur teeth are usually quite ugly and in poor states of preservation despite their very strong collector appeal and market demand. No type of dinosaur commands more respect and fascination than the members of the tyrannosaur family. Without question, fine quality teeth of these dinosaurs will steadily appreciate year after year as limited legal collecting regions in the United States continue to be scavenged and produce less and less fine specimens as time goes on. Over half of Albertosaurus fossils found are from juveniles. It seems the majority of teeth that ever make it to the public market are from juveniles, as well. On the contrary, this is an exceedingly rare offering as this is a complete tooth from a very large ADULT Albertosaurus libratus, a member of the tyrannosaurid family. It is also an extremely high grade specimen and its rarity in both its size and condition cannot be overemphasized! Regardless of its size, it is a much higher quality specimen than is usually found in the market, when you can find any. Beautiful walnut brown tones dominate the overall color with original fine enamel still displaying a natural dense gloss. Tooth has some weathering and only a tiny portion (approximately 5 mm) of the rear serrations with restoration. Entire crown is otherwise without any repair. Serrations on both edges are beautifully preserved which is rare for a tooth from such a full-grown and large predatory dinosaur. Grain shows excellent detail beneath the lustrous enamel. This is definitely a prize specimen and recommended for any collection showcasing nothing but the rarest and finest fossils. You will be hard pressed to locate an Albertosaurus tooth approaching two inches not to mention exceeding it as this specimen does! The name 'Albertosaurus' means "Alberta reptile", indicating the original region where specimens were found in Alberta, Canada. Albertosaurus remains were amongst the very first dinosaur fossils to be discovered in Canada and their first discovery dates back to the year 1884. To date, more than half of all Albertosaurus remains are from juvenile dinosaurs. Albertosaurus was smaller than T. rex but shares all the classic features of tyrannosaurs. They were probably faster in moving and running than most other tyrannosaurs as the lower limbs of Albertosaurus were longer in comparison to the proportions of T. rex. The overall structure of Albertosaurus was still massive and extremely powerful in design. The short body was balanced at the hips by a long tail serving to counter the weight of its very large head. Legs were stout and thick with three-toed feet. Tiny arms seemed like they would have been useless and terminate in two-fingered hands. A large yet lightly built head featured teeth which were curved and serrated, ideally suited to slash and rip flesh. Like most reptiles, this ferocious dinosaur swallowed large portions of meat whole without chewing. REMARKABLE SERRATIONS AND COLOR AND ENAMEL - TOOTH IS INTACT!!! 2.2" long on the leading edge x .85" wide SOLD DT16-003 INCLUDES DISPLAY BOX Actual Item - One Only |
|
Artwork by Mineo Shiraishi used with permission and copyright protected |
|
675 |
