NWA 12691 — A POCKETSIZE PIECE OF THE MOON, INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR REVEALED - photo 1
NWA 12691 — A POCKETSIZE PIECE OF THE MOON, INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR REVEALED - photo 2

NWA 12691 — A POCKETSIZE PIECE OF THE MOON, INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR REVEALED

Lot 2
23.02.2022 00:00UTC +00:00
Classic
Sold
$ 12 600
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUnited Kingdom, London
Buyer Premiumsee on Website%
Archive
The auction is completed. No bids can be placed anymore.
Archive
ID 716387
Lot 2 | NWA 12691 — A POCKETSIZE PIECE OF THE MOON, INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR REVEALED
Estimate value
$ 5 000 – 8 000
This is a lunar meteorite — that is to say, a piece of the Moon ejected from the lunar surface following an asteroid impact — that was cut and polished to reveal its matrix. The analysis performed by researchers to confirm its lunar origin was vetted by a panel of colleagues prior to publication in the bible of meteorites — the Meteoritical Bulletin. Lunar specimens are identified by specific geological, mineralogical, chemical and radiation signatures. Many of the common minerals found on Earth’s surface are rare on the Moon; in addition, lunar rocks contain gases originating from the solar wind with isotope ratios that are markedly different than the same gases found on Earth. Finally, lunar samples brought to Earth by the Apollo missions are closely similar to suspected lunar meteorites and this is one such example. Fragments of the Moon are the rarest substances on Earth and now offered is a durable pocket-sized example. See lot 56 for a microscopic image of NWA 12691. For more on lunar meteorites and NWA 12691 in particular, see lots 14 and 55.

Christie's would like to thank Dr. Alan E. Rubin at the Department of Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles for his assistance in preparing this catalogue.

This meteorite was analyzed and classified by Dr. Anthony Irving at the University of Washington and his findings underwent peer review prior to publication in the 108th edition of the Meteoritical Bulletin.

33 x 65 x 11mm (1.25 x 2.5 x 0.5 in.) and 32.93 grams
Category:Meteorite
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
8 King Street, St. James's
SW1Y 6QT London
United Kingdom
Preview
09.02.2022 – 23.02.2022
Phone +44 (0)20 7839 9060
Email
4FQ.AYGKAGLUQ@FO3G@
Buyer Premium see on Website
Conditions of purchaseConditions of purchase

Related terms

Frequently asked questions

First of all, you should register to be able to purchase at auction. After confirming your email address, enter your personal information in your user profile, such as your first name, last name, and mail address. Choose a lot from the upcoming auction and the maximum amount you want to place on it. After confirmation of your choice, we will send your application by e-mail to the appropriate auction house. If the auction house accepts a request, it will participate in the auction. You can view the current status of a bid at any time in your personal account in the "Bids" section.
Auctions are performed by auction houses and each of the auction houses describes their terms of auction. You can see the texts in the section "Auction information".
The results of the auction are published within a few days after the end of the auction. In the top menu of the site, find the tab "Auctions". Click on it and you will be on the auction catalog page, where you can easily find the category "Results". After opening it, select the desired auction from the list, enter and view the current status of the interested lot.
The information about the auction winners is confidential. The auction winner will receive a direct notification from the auction house responsible with instructions for further action: an invoice for payment and the manner in which the goods will be received.
Each of the auction houses has its own payment policy for the won lots. All auction houses accept bank transfers, most of them accept credit card payments. In the near future you will find detailed information for each case in the section "Auction information" on the page of the auction catalog and the lot.
Shipment of the won lot depends on its size. Small items can be delivered by post. Larger lots are sent by courier. Employees of the auction houses will offer you a wide range to choose from.
No. The archive serves as a reference for the study of auction prices, photographs and descriptions of works of art.