World’s most famous meteorites go under the hammer

Some of the world’s most illustrious meteorites, which were drawn from collections across the world, were sold at a New York auction house on Sunday. A mailbox that was hit by a falling space rock in 1984 was sold for an unexpected $83,000. An an iron meteorite from Siberia went under the hammer for $123,000 (£60,000). Many of the meteorites offered for sale were vividly coloured and intricately patterned, with some bearing gemstones. Insterestingly, a piece valued at US $1.1 million (£0.53m) did not sell. The 30-pound chunk of the Willamette Meteorite, which was found in Oregon in 1902 was withdrawn from sale after the bidding ended at a mere $300,000.

Like wise, the 1,410-pound Brenham Main Mass, dug out of a Kansas farm field in 2005, was withdrawn by Bonhams CEO and auctioneer Malcolm Barber. It was expected to fetch between $630,000 and $700,000 but, it could attract a top bid of only $200,000. The Valera Meteorite, known as the only space rock to have caused a fatality on Earth, was sold for $1,300. Its victim in 1972 was a cow in Venezuela.

via BBC