31. THE HISTORIC OGI METEORITE
H6
Kyushu, Japan – (33°17' N, 130°12' E)
Fell June 8, 1741 / TKW: 14.4 kg
On June 8, 1741, when the origin of meteorites was not yet understood, thunderous sounds accompanied a meteoroid’s plunge through the western skies of the Japanese island of Kyushu. It was believed the four small stones recovered had fallen from the loom of a goddess. The rocks were collected and preserved for worship in a temple where they became part of an annual offering to the goddess. In 1883, the British Foreign Secretary facilitated the British Museum of Natural History’s acquisition of the largest mass, and this specimen originates from that mass. With one sweeping surface of fusion crust and the remnant of a removed British Museum label, this is a rare offering of a historic meteorite.
45 x 15 x 18mm (1.75 x 0.5 x 0.75 inches) and 19.68 grams (98 carats)
Provenance:
British Museum of Natural History / Natural History Museum, London
Macovich Collection, NYC
Estimate $5,000 – 8,000 * Reserve $3,500