Lot 139
Phosphate Deposits, Khouribga, Morocco, Late Cretaceous, 73 to 65 million years ago. This is an original (from one mosasaur) maxillae set from a Platecarpus ptychodon mosasaur. This set of maxillae (upper jaws) were completely extracted out of their native matrix and fully cleaned and repaired. They were found together and a great deal of time went into the proper preparation of these extremely rare specimens. This medium size (25 ft in length) mosasaur is an identified mosasaur species from the Oulad Abdoun Basin of Morocco and one of five species known in the Maastrichtian phosphates of the Ganntour Basin (Morocco). ALL but the smallest posterior tooth of the left maxilla have erupting teeth easily visible from the interior of each jaw. This is a pure visual treat and one of the many fascinating, valuable and important features of this fossil. The Platecarpus family of mosasaurs was a mid-sized mosasaur with lengths reaching 25 feet and with teeth not as stout as the Tylosaurs. This has led scientists to believe that the diet of Platecarpus consisted of softer creatures smaller in size to that which Tylosaurus fed upon. The Platecarpus genus is still a largely unknown family with an extensive variety of species. This is a very rare opportunity to acquire a true scientific, museum grade associated set of maxillae of the Platecarpus ptychodon. Size of largest maxillae: 10.15" L (25.8 cm).
Some very important points should be highlighted to emphasize the immense value of this set. First off, the larger jaw has NO restoration and is only repaired. On the slightly smaller jaw, there is ONLY approximately 2% restoration. This a very small area that was missing and has been filled in. To protect the integrity of this valuable fossil, this area was purposely left a slightly lighter color to display that the majority of the jaw is authentic and that it is nearly complete. Secondly, the teeth are not composites but are the original teeth that were in the jaw when discovered. Some of these teeth required repair back onto their respective roots still intact in the jaw but ALL are original! Many jaw fossils are entirely composites as it is rare to find specimens with their original teeth. Where there were teeth missing, we left it alone, again to maintain the integrity, value and scientific importance of the specimen.
Provenance: purchased from a Florida fossil importer in 2001
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#113002
- Condition: 100% original with minor repair, 2% unrestored crack-filling, all teeth original and from the same mosasaur.
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| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,000 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $25,000 |