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Legendary NWA 5000 Lunar Meteorite Moon Rock 1.640 grams

Get A Piece Of “The Rock” - A Masterpiece From The Moon!

The first choice of Lunar X Prize Contenders, Billionaires, Museums, Royalty and Collectors everywhere, all of which have acquired major Northwest Africa 5000 specimens after considering all other offerings! This is the Moon Rock that set the benchmarks so high that it is unlikely that they will ever be surpassed.

Specifications for this particular specimen:

Weight: 1.640 grams

Dimensions: 14mm X 11mm X 3mm

Presentation: Part Slice

Notes: This specimen comes with both a metal and paper color identification card from the world famous Hupe Planetary Collection. This specimen came from the very last large part slice of NWA 5000 in my inventory, which initially weighed 354 grams. The cutting losses were enormous since I cut it into somewhat thin slices and polished every surface. This is the last cutting session planned for NWA 5000. I intend to load up the entire inventory over the next couple of weeks. Once this inventory is gone, this will be it for my NWA 5000 eBay sells. The asking price here on eBay is considerably less than what this material sells for in auction houses or on dealer sites.

About This World Record Setting Meteorite From The Moon:

Northwest Africa 5000 is the largest meteorite from the ancient Lunar Highlands ever found. Originally weighing in at 25 lbs 6.6 ounces (11,528 grams), it was massive. Although the weight is very impressive, its presence is tremendous. When trying to portray Northwest Africa 5000, one may be at a loss for words -- it is simply too beautiful to properly describe. It is the most handsome meteorite from the moon ever found -- the contrast is incredible. The matrix looks like a black and white intaglio print of the universe rendered by a spirited yet masterful artist. This stone contains breccias within breccias, and the preferential orientation of clasts lends a unique 3-D appearance to flat surfaces. Generous amounts of shiny metal are present in almost every piece, adding yet another impressive element to nature’s artwork. Northwest Africa 5000 is by far the most spectacular meteorite from the Moon, and has become legendary, establishing new benchmarks for excellence!

Northwest Africa 5000 is not only from the Moon, it actually takes on the appearance of our nearest celestial neighbor unlike any other lunar meteorite in existence. There can only be one, number one and Northwest Africa 5000 is it.

This celestial masterpiece lay undisturbed for millennia in the world’s largest and hottest desert, the Sahara, until it was liberated by some very fortunate hunters of treasure in July of 2007. After lengthy, emotional and expensive negotiations, it was acquired by The Hupe Planetary Collection in October of the same year.

Please click on hyperlink below for very detailed information including provenance, scientific papers/abstracts, appraisals and histories:

Click Here For Official Northwest Africa 5000 Website Link:

This meteorite was given the informal name, “The Rock” because its immense posture commanded more than just the next number in a sequence. There was no mistaking what rock was being referred to in the best laboratories around the world when using this moniker. Scientists were permitted to select their own type specimen, and a repository amount of over 45 grams was committed in advance of the honorific and official name, Northwest Africa 5000 being assigned. Please note that I am listed as the original main mass holder “AHupé” in the official entry link provided below for provenance purposes.

Link to Meteoritical Bulletin recording official status of Northwest Africa 5000:

Click Here For Official Northwest Africa 5000 Meteoritical Society Entry

Link to additional scientific data from WUSTL, official lunar meteorite website:

Click Here For WUSTL Northwest Africa 5000 entry

This Moon rock made its public debut at the Royal Ontario Museum from December 20^th2008 to April 15^th 2009. This is the largest lunar meteorite ever to be placed on public display. It was prominently exhibited in its own 11 by 8 by 2 feet display at the very front and center for the grand opening of the new Teck Suite of Galleries: Earth’s Treasures. It was intensely popular as patrons viewed it both on the way in and once again upon exiting.

Links to images of Royal Ontario Museum Northwest Africa 5000 display:

Click Here To View Royal Ontario Museum Northwest Africa 5000 Display

Click Here To View Royal Ontario Museum Northwest Africa 5000 Display Close-up

Why All The Fuss?

Some may ask “Why all of the fuss, aren’t we just talking about a rock?” My answer is simple, “A diamond is also just a rock but no where near as rare, complex or scientifically important as a rock from our nearest celestial neighbor, the Moon.” If this rock were brought back from the Moon by astronauts, its proportionate cost would be enormous, much more than that of flawless diamonds. On the other hand, natural processes brought this rock from the Moon here to Earth. An asteroid strike most likely caused the ejection of this meteorite into an Earth-crossing orbit, which is a much less expensive yet time consuming process.

Meteorites from the Moon are the most coveted of all including those from Mars. Although Martian meteorites are rare, Lunaites are many times rarer by weight. Many Martian meteorites have been observed as falls but not a single one from the Moon has ever been witnessed. Lunar meteorites are so rare that not a single lunar meteorite has ever been found on the North American continent!

Meteorites from the Moon are the most coveted of all including those from Mars.

A quote from the Smithsonian Magazine, March 1999, Article “Mining for Meteorites”

“The most valuable type, a dislodged piece of the moon, sells for $25,000 a gram -- 2,500 times the price of gold.”

Click on the link below to see other great auctions:

http://shop.ebay.com/merchant/ancientechoesartifacts

A Special Note On Authenticity:

I carried an officer’s position on the board of directors for the International Meteorite Collectors Association (I.M.C.A.) for a full term and served a second term as a director. The I.M.C.A. is a nonprofit corporation that adheres to the strictest standards of authenticity. I have been a member of the I.M.C.A. since the beginning, was elected by my peers to serve as Secretary and I adhere to the most stringent Code of Ethics in the industry. My IMCA number is 2185, which can be referenced on the I.M.C.A. website at: http://imca.cc/

Why eBay?:

I can offer Northwest Africa 5000 at a reasonable price since most large auction houses and galleries seem out of touch with current economic conditions. I find high catalog fees, excessive commission rates and buyer premiums repulsive. I get good exposure from eBay although top dollar is rarely realized in this forum. This should leave buyers plenty of margins if they decide to resale their specimens at a later date.

Why Now?:

I decided it was time to move onto other pursuits after reaching the top pinnacle in meteorite collecting and dealing. I was involved with building the largest private assemblage of Planetary Main Masses in the world and this record still stands, far exceeding my goals set nearly two decades ago. I could try to reach for the next plateau but cannot imagine any meteorite surpassing Northwest Africa 5000. To me; it is kind of like another individual reaching the peak of Mt. Everest or walking on the Moon. How can anyone ever expect to top these accomplishments? I have probably dealt more genuine planetary specimens than any other dealer in the world, helping to make them affordable to the masses. Most were offered up here on eBay.

Now, all that is left for me to do is keep one complete slice for myself and distribute the remaining inventory, which is only about 20% of the original mass. The rest has been placed.

Please Read Important U.S. Shipping Information:

FREE U.S. Priority Mail shipping in the U.S. I ship the vast majority of items within one business day of payment.

Please Read Important International Shipping Information:

It is important to note that I actually lose money on shipping due to recent heavy U.S. Postal Service price increases, the cost of high-quality packaging materials to ensure the items reach you safely and PayPal fees. I do not make any profit whatsoever on shipping so please do not dock my rating score in the shipping price section. Please keep the cost of shipping in mind when bidding since I have no control over shipping rates whatsoever. The shipping rates are published online at the USPS website so you can check for yourself what the actual costs are and that my shipping charges are reasonable. Please also note that the items I put up for auction on eBay generally realize only a fraction of what they sale for in other venues so you are likely to receive an excellent bargain even when shipping fees are added to the final bid price.

$14.00 International First Class shipping for those overseas on all orders under $150.00. Priority Mail International shipping will be $34.00 if purchase exceeds $150.00 which includes tracking. If international purchase exceeds $500.00, Priority Mail Express shipping will be utilized which costs $66.00, includes Delivery Confirmation and a Tracking Number. I combine shipping on multiple orders. Please wait until the end of the auction session and I will promptly send an invoice combining shipping on multiple items. I ship the vast majority of items within one business day of payment.

A Special Note To Our Friends Overseas:

Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding or buying. It has been my experience that about 1 in 42 packages are delayed in International Customs for some reason. Although packages are most often shipped within 24 hours of payment and usually arrive within a week or two, it may take up to eight weeks in some cases due to customs delays.

Thank you very much for looking and if you are bidding, good luck!