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Lot
49321

AN EXQUISITE FULLY-ROOTED TYRANNOSAURUS TOOTH . ...

2012 May 20 Natural History & Fine Minerals Signature Auction- New York #6068

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Auction Ended On: May 20, 2012
Item Activity: 1 Internet/mail/phone bidders Number of Bidders
1,019 page views
Location: Center 548
548 W. 22nd St.
New York, NY 10011

Description:
AN EXQUISITE FULLY-ROOTED TYRANNOSAURUS TOOTH
Tyrannosaurus bataar
Late Cretaceous - 68 Million Years Old
Nemegt Formation, The Gobi Desert
Central Asia

Carnivorous dinosaur teeth are naturally rare and highly-prized by collectors. But the rarest of all tooth specimens are those that possess the roots. The reason is that theropods usually lost their teeth during feeding or combat by violently shearing or snapping a tooth and losing it. The only way that a fully-rooted tooth could be preserved is when a complete skull was decomposing, and teeth loosened and fell-out, as scavengers, insects, and bacteria did their work on the rotting flesh. This is a very rare occurrence and only 1 out of every 1,000 fossil carnivorous dinosaur teeth are preserved with their roots even partially intact. Thus, the specimen offered here is exceptionally rare. The root is flawless and the blade, nearly so. A few percent of restoration needed to be done to the enamel near the tip because of collecting damage. Still, the serrations are nearly perfect and the enamel is pristine and lustrous. There is a wear facet, or flat spot, near the tip, where this tooth would rub against the opposing tooth in the opposite jaw as the Tyrannosaur would bite and tear during feeding. This specimen exhibits the same beautiful reddish-brown and orange color patterns as the previous lot, because both specimens were collected together and thus, come from the same animal. It measures 7 5/8 inches long with a 2 3/4 inch enamel blade, and comes with a custom black metal stand.

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