Baculite Fossil. Baculites cuneatus. Late Cretaceous. Pierre Shale. Meade County, South Dakota, USA. ...

Description

Baculite Fossil
Baculites cuneatus
Late Cretaceous
Pierre Shale
Meade County, South Dakota, USA

This elongated section of baculite shell measures almost 7 inches (18 cm) in length. The example of fossil from the renowned Pierre Shale dates to the Late Cretaceous and was discovered in South Dakota. A big specimen of Baculites, this offering exhibits a considerable amount of preserved shell nacre that displays an amazing iridescence with exquisite flashes of green and purple on the "skin" of the fossil. The smooth exterior has some regularly spaced bumps and good color on both sides. The inner part of the fossil is an earthy and rustic core, with both slick taupe and gray rocky sections. The opalescent nature of the outer nacreous segments is the key quality of this specimen that evidences such a unique form of fossilization.
Measurements: 6.77 x 2.47 x 1.70 inches (17.20 x 6.28 x 4.31 cm)

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