This ULTRA-RARE spiny-tailed Asaphus trilobite with an AUTHENTIC tail spine is truly an extraordinary find.  This is only the second specimen of this rare unnamed species we have ever offered.  Its condition and preservation are of the FINEST possible and every anatomical detail is superbly preserved.  Caution should be exercised if you ever see this type available for sale as it is popular for the Moroccan fakers to make these from either, a mold of an original filled entirely with epoxy putty and pressed onto a genuine fossil rock matrix from the same location or with a genuine ordinary Asaphus trilobite of the tail-less variety with an artificially attached tail spine on its end.  There are features shown above that provide definitive proof of the authenticity of this trilobite and the originality and authenticity of its graceful tail spine.

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.  This type is so rare that locals in the fossil deposit regions 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 SECOND ever truly original specimen of its kind we have located and offer.  This example has a complete and original authentic elongated tail spine, evidenced by the numerous fractures in the spine that correlate to the same fractures that continue in the native matrix it is on.  This can be seen in several above close-up images of this part. 

The overall preservation of the body and the full inflation of the body make this a spectacular fossil to view in person.  The eyes are very obvious and inflated.  The cephalon and thorax protrude dramatically off the rock and the spine fossilized in a slightly raised angle off the long axis of the rest of the trilobite so the matrix follows on a same angle to support the spine as seen above in the second photo from the top.  Perhaps when alive, these trilobites could move and raise their tail spine as can modern horseshoe crabs of today. 

The entire host rock is 100% original with no additional parts added and only cracks repaired.  The trilobite has NO FABRICATION and only cracks were filled and repaired.  Very rare detailed anatomy can be seen in areas that are normally restored.  TAIL SPINE IS COMPLETE AND 100% ORIGINAL.  For the most demanding collector of RARE FOSSILS, and a prized addition to the most impressive fossil trilobite collections.  This specimen presents itself with a very rare opportunity to acquire a finest preserved example of a SCARCE trilobite that is predominantly absent from the market.