This ULTRA-RARE spiny-tailed Asaphus trilobite with an AUTHENTIC tail spine is truly an extraordinary find.  Prior to our knowledge of its discovery last year, we had ONLY seen fakes of this trilobite type.  These were either made entirely from epoxy putty or with poorly sculpted tail spines made out of epoxy putty attached to a genuine ordinary Asaphus trilobite of the tail-less variety.  As with some Moroccan trilobites that never existed in real life and are purely inventions of creative fake fossil artists, it was our prior belief that a large spiny-tailed Asaphus trilobite was merely a figment of imagination.  The discovery of AN AUTHENTIC long spiny-tailed Asaphus trilobite seemed impossible to believe at first, until we examined this specimen. 

This trilobite is a scientifically undescribed species belonging to the Asaphidae family.  The presence of the long, graceful tail spine is what makes this trilobite so extremely rare.  Asaphid trilobites do not normally possess such anatomy.  This specimen was found in Ordovician rock from the Anti-Atlas mountains in southern Morocco along the Northern Sahara.  The exact location where it came from was not disclosed by the original collector considering the extreme rarity of this find.  We acquired this specimen during our final trip in the Sahara desert last year, direct from the original collector who had only partially prepared the trilobite.  The remaining work was performed by us in our lab in Florida.  When we acquired this specimen, we asked numerous other locals about it.  The native diggers knew OF this type but no on knew how, when or where a genuine example had ever been discovered aside from the one we had.  Furthermore, it is so rare that they do not have a formal name for it.  On a humorous but true note, when we asked several diggers about this type, they said they call it the "Osama Bin Laden" trilobite because they know it exists but no one knows the location where it can be found.  This is the first ever truly original specimen of its kind we knew existed or handled.  This one is not only authentic with an original elongated tail spine, but it is so unusual and beautiful in every way even down to the nature of the matrix.  Even the matrix is unlike anything we have ever seen before!  There are layers of bryozoan fossils with perfect, naturally-colored impressions all over the surface of the top layer which we exposed during the preparation of the trilobite. 

The vibrant and beautiful color of the trilobite is natural.  The carapace is remarkably well-preserved with the most beautiful natural salmon pink orange hue that matches the colors of the sea fan fossils found throughout the host rock.  There is a photo of a close-up of the tail spine showing numerous areas where it broke when the matrix was first split revealing the fossil.  These fractures and examination under magnification show authentic anatomy and provide proof of the authenticity of the spine.  The spine and pygidium of the trilobite that tapers toward the spine show physical characteristics that only genuine anatomy would possess.  Regarding the trilobite as a whole, there is very minor restoration totaling only about 1-2% overall, mainly to the edge of the cephalon, the genal spines, the eyes and limited areas of the tips of the pleural spines.  The entire host rock is 100% original with no additional parts added and only cracks repaired.  To protect the integrity of the fragile rock and to enhance the overall appearance, the back side of the rock has been sealed with a chemical consolidant.  The salmon pink-orange layers seen on the rock on the back side are also natural and again, show the natural color that the trilobite fossilized in.  As mentioned before, we acquired this rare specimen in the Sahara desert direct from the original collector and performed the preparations ourselves so we can accurately and honestly attest to all that has been done to it.  The upper outer rim of the matrix surrounding the trilobite is a natural cleavage plane showing a multitude of associated bryozoan fossils.  For the most impressive three-dimensional display, we lowered the rock around the entire perimeter of the fossil and did not disguise the original fractures in the limestone to maintain the integrity and natural condition of the host rock.  There has been no additional rock alien to the original matrix affixed to this specimen to improve display appeal.  What you see front and back is 100% original host rock matrix found with the trilobite embedded within.

Without question, this is the most beautiful, most unusual and the most RARE of all the large trilobites we ever handled or saw in numerous years of experience concentrated in trilobites from the northern Sahara.  This specimen has no equal and at the time of this listing, remains scientifically undescribed and virtually unknown making it one of the rarest possible acquisitions of fossils one could own.  Considering this, to call it "investment grade" is an understatement.  

With its stunning color, rare anatomy, large size and bryozoan fossil-laden matrix, we have yet to see any major international museum display such an amazing example of trilobite as this one presents itself.