Carbonaceous chondrite, CV3. Al Jufrah, Libya, found 1997. End cut with polished face and large CAI. Weighing 115.9 grams and measuring 96 mm x 32 mm x 26 mm. Dar al Gani (DAG) 521 is a carbonaceous chondrite that belongs to the CV3 group, the same classification as the celebrated Allende meteorite that fell in Mexico in 1969 [SEE LOT 2431]. The “V” is a reference to Vigarano, a meteorite that fell in Italy in 1910 and is the first known example of this group. CV3s show large chondrules but little alteration, meaning they have survived, largely unchanged, since the birth of our solar system.
An early hot desert find, DAG 521 consisted of a single stone weighing 1,567 grams which was recovered in 1997 on a limestone plateau in Libya, known as Dar al Gani. It was examined and classified by the Museo Nazionale dell’Antartide, Universita` di Siena in Siena, Italy. DAG 521 was acquired and prepared by meteorite expert Allan Lang of R.A. Langheinrich Meteorites, shortly after its 1990s recovery and has remained in his collection until now.
This rare CV3 is seldom available to collectors and we have not seen a specimen offered for sale in many years. Note the remnant fusion crust on the exterior and the white calcium-aluminum inclusion (CAI), and multiple large chondrules. CAIs are believed to be the oldest substances in the solar system.
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