NWA 12692 — THE RAW INGREDIENTS OF THE PLANETS – SUBTYPE 3.00 - photo 1

NWA 12692 — THE RAW INGREDIENTS OF THE PLANETS – SUBTYPE 3.00

Lot 12
28.03.2023 11:00UTC -04:00
Classic
Sold
$ 6 930
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUSA, New York
Archive
The auction is completed. No bids can be placed anymore.
Archive
ID 927008
Lot 12 | NWA 12692 — THE RAW INGREDIENTS OF THE PLANETS – SUBTYPE 3.00
Estimate value
$ 1 800 – 2 500
This is a complete slice of a meteorite whose constituents are nearly unchanged since having formed within the gaseous solar nebula from which our solar system was born. Unlike the case with 99.999% of all meteorites, there is no metamorphism whatsoever…no alteration from heat or pressure. This is a complete slice of what is among the most primitive planetary materials known. There is less than seven pounds (3.1 kilograms) of similarly primitive planetary material in existence. Devoutly sought-after by scientists, unmetamorphosed meteorites like NWA 12692 are the raw ingredients from which our solar system formed. It was the formation of chondrules and their subsequent accretion along with dust and grains of metallic iron-nickel that is largely responsible for the formation of our planets — and this meteorite reveals those raw ingredients prior to the alterative effects from heating in planetary bodies.

While 3.05, 3.10 and 3.15 subtypes are extremely rare and represent almost no metamorphosis (see lots 42 and 58) — this complete slice is an extraordinarily rare complete slice of perfection — a 3.00 subtype chondrite, a Holy Grail in the science of meteoritics, the most primordial and unmetamorphosed planetary material that can exist.

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.

29 x 34 x 2mm (1 x 1.33 x 0.1 in.) and 6.039 grams
Category:Meteorite
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
20 Rockefeller Plaza
10020 New York
USA
Preview
28.03.2023
27.03.2023
Phone +1 212 636 2000
Fax +1 212 636 4930
Email
4FQ.AYGKAGLUQ@FO3G@
Conditions of purchaseConditions of purchase
Shipping Postal service
Courier service
pickup by yourself
Payment methods Wire Transfer
Business hoursBusiness hours
Mo 09:30 – 17:00   
Tu 09:30 – 17:00   
We 09:30 – 17:00   
Th 09:30 – 17:00   
Fr 09:30 – 17:00   
Sa closed
Su closed

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.