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COMPLETE LARGE ALBERTOSAURUS ANTERIOR JAW TYRANNOSAUR 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. This is a very high grade Albertosaur tooth from Albertosaurus libratus, a member of the tyrannosaurid family. It is extremely rare because a tooth this size from the front of the jaw (where the teeth are smaller than the side of the jaw) indicates this tooth is from a maximum-size, full grown Albertosaurus! Adding to the rarity of this offering is the fact that much of the Albertosaurus teeth found are from juveniles while this one is from a large adult tyrannosaur. It is a much higher quality specimen than is usually found in the market, when you can find any! Unlike some we have seen for sale where just a tip fragment (not the complete tooth) is being sold, this IS a complete tooth and more important, it lacks any filled or restored portions. Beautiful charcoal black dominates the overall color with original fine enamel still displaying a natural gloss. Tooth has NO RESTORATION or FABRICATION to the entire tooth, TOOTH IS COMPLETE with FULL TIP! Serrations are visible but with light natural feeding wear caused when the dinosaur was alive and slashing away at its unfortunate victims. This is definitely a prize specimen and recommended for any collection showcasing nothing but the rarest and finest fossils. The name 'Albertosaurus' means "Alberta reptile", indicating the original region where specimens were found in Alberta, Canada. 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. 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. Teeth were curved and serrated. LARGE RARE COMPLETE TOOTH FOR THIS JAW POSITION - NO RESTORATION! FROM A FULL-GROWN ALBERTOSAURUS TYRANNOSAUR! 1.6" long on the leading edge x .65" wide SOLD DT21-001 INCLUDES DISPLAY BOX Actual Item - One Only |
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Artwork by Mineo Shiraishi used with permission and copyright protected |
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