Product Description
ITEM #
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SH501
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ID
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Paleocarcharodon orientalis
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FOUND
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Phosphate Deposits - Khouribga, Morocco
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AGE
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PALEOCENE: 60 million years ago
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SIZE
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Tooth is 1.3" long on the diagonal
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CONDITION
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LEFT LOBE REPAIR BUT NO FABRICATION
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NOTE
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WITH ALL ORIGINAL ROOTS LACKING
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INCLUDES DISPLAY BOX - Actual Item - One Only
Comes with a certificate of authenticity / information sheet |
This fossil tooth from the extinct shark Paleocarcharodon orientalis is a rare gem. It is one of the finest examples we've had and very unique in that it still is embedded with the original matrix that the tooth was found in! The enamel is surreal and looks liquid due to its exceptional smoothness and preservation. Unlike the majority of these highly collectible fossil teeth on the market for a great deal less, this tooth has only a micro-fine fracture that has been repaired across the left lobe and cusplet but the entire tooth is genuine and original and HAS NOT BEEN RESTORED as the vast majority of ones on the market are. This tooth is of the finest collector grade and without restoration. If you are looking for a Paleocarcharodon tooth IN MATRIX of the highest quality then this is one of the most unique and AAA+ specimens you can find!
Paleocarcharodon was a dead-end in the evolution of ancient sharks, leaving no ancestor after its extinction. While these teeth seem similar to the modern-day Great White, there is no relation at all in the lineage and development of either species. The classic characteristics are the irregular serrations and complex cusplets, also serrated.
The majority of Paleocarcharodon fossil teeth on the market are cleverly fixed up with fake and/or restored roots made from a paste of ground up roots of other sharks. To the untrained eye, this is very difficult to tell. Another common occurrence is to file serrations into the edges of teeth from another lesser rare shark species. This is more obvious as the serrations are the same height compared to the irregularity of the real teeth.