52. ZAGAMI — A PIECE OF THE PLANET MARS
Mars Rock – Shergottite
Katsina Province, Nigeria
Fell October 3, 1962 / TKW:18 kg
A farmer in Zagami, Nigeria was nearly struck by a 40-pound meteorite as it plummeted to Earth on October 3, 1962. In 1995 it was reported that gas trapped in tiny bubbles within this same meteorite’s matrix matched the composition of the Martian atmosphere (as determined by NASA’s Viking lander in 1976). It was the Zagami exchange (and not just) as executed by the original Meteorite Man, Bob Haag, that catalyzed a future generation of meteorite dealers & collectors. With one edge of fusion crust and accompanied by custom armature, Mars is among the rarest substances on Earth and Zagami will forever be among the most historic Martian meteorites.
43 x 33 x 5mm (1.66 x 1.33 x 0.2 inches) and 18.9 grams.
Provenance:
Nigerian Geological Survey, Kaduna, Nigeria
Robert Haag Meteorite Collection, Tucson
Estimate $12,500 – 15,000 * Res $11,000