EONS: #404 HADROSAUR DINOSAUR EGG, CHOICE 8.4 RANK

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EONS: #404 HADROSAUR DINOSAUR EGG, CHOICE 8.4 RANK SPECIFICS: This Hadrosaur egg is 5.75 inches long, 4.5 inches wide, stands 3.25 inches high, and has a circumference of 17 inches. It weighs 4 pounds but the shipping weight will be 2 pounds more. 1 inch = 2.5 cm, 1 pound = 0.45 kg COMMENT #1: This specimen has been prepared in our own paleo laboratory. First, we spent hours using special dental-like picks under magnification to remove the larger pieces of clinging matrix, light-gray calcite coating, and chemical consolidants used in the field. Then we followed up with an "air blade" loaded with soft dolomite powder to gently remove trace amounts of calcite without damaging the shell texture. Dolomite is so gentle that it takes about 5 minutes to process a postage stamp-size section. The result is a totally natural gray-brown egg devoid of the light-gray calcite typically found on these eggs, and without any abrasion to the egg texture. Since we do not reconstruct missing shell sections (done with molded epoxy) the trade-off is that even the slightest imperfection is now revealed. We have coated it with easily removable Vinac solution which adds strength and protection. COMMENT #2: This specimen is matrix-free which most people prefer. RANKING: I rank this specimen at 8.4 points when compared to my other eggs and judged by these ten characteristics: symmetry, shape, posture, matrix, repairs (if any), damage (if any), size, coloring, shell texture, and degree of shell coverage. Using that ranking criteria, I then use one of the following descriptors in my auction title: 0.00 ~ 4.99 points: STUDY -- For schools and research, 5% of my eggs, estimated auction end price $40 ~ $100 5.00 ~ 6.99 points: AFFORDABLE -- Collector grade, 45% of my eggs, estimated auction end price $100 ~ $140 7.00 ~ 8.49 points: CHOICE -- Best value grade, 45% of my eggs, estimated auction end price $140 ~ $200 8.50 ~ 9.49 points: PREMIUM -- Advanced collector grade, 4% of my eggs, estimated auction end price $180 ~ $350 9.50 ~ 10.0 points: MUSEUM -- Very best grade, <1% of my eggs, estimated auction end price $350 ~ $700 Explanation of ranking criteria: Symmetry: looks at the over all balance and pleasingness to the eye; this is a very subjective criteria Shape: whether the egg is lop-sided and/or overly distorted; although all eggs are distorted to some degree Posture: the angle and height of the position of the egg on the matrix Matrix: not too big or small; degree of attractiveness; presence of stabilization and/or repairs Repairs: nearly all larger and rarer fossils have been repaired; this does not detract from value if they are done well Damage: degree to which geological forces have reshaped, sheared and/or altered the appearance of the egg; also includes extraction damage Size: most Hadrosaur eggs are within 15.5 inches ~ 17.5 inches in circumference; eggs that are larger than that are more valuable Coloring: the subjective pleasingness of the combination of dark gray shell, light gray calcite outer layer, and reddish sandstone matrix Shell texture: the shell can be smooth, have small wave ripples, larger fractures, bits of clinging matrix still present, and/or calcite inclusions Shell coverage: degree of visible shell present vs. bald spots GENERAL DESCRIPTION: This legally imported genuine fossil dinosaur egg specimen is thought to be from a Hadrosaurid dinosaur, and possibly the Saurolophus species. It is from the Late Cretaceous period, roughly 84 to 71 million years ago, and was collected in the Xixia Basin, Henan Province , China. This specimen is most likely of the Dendroolithidae parataxonomic family and possibly of the Dendroolithus species. The confusing naming convention stems from the fact that dinosaur eggs are classified by their own genus and species name based solely on shell structure and type, and is completely independent of the dinosaur species suspected of having laid it. This allows for categorizing and study of the ma... read more

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