SHLX1 - 2.2 INCH EXTINCT SHARK COSMOPOLITODUS XIPHODON ( WHITE SHARK ) FOSSIL TOOTH FROM LEE CREEK

Product Description

ITEM # 

SHLX1

ID

Cosmopolitodus xiphodon

FOUND

Yorktown Formation, Lee Creek - 
Aurora, North Carolina, USA

AGE

EARLY PLIOCENE:  5.2 million years ago

SIZE

2.2" long on the diagonal

CONDITION

NO REPAIR OR RESTORATION

NOTE

CHOICE SPECIMEN FROM A FAMOUS
SITE THAT NO LONGER PRODUCES
TEETH LIKE THIS.

INCLUDES DISPLAY BOX - Actual Item - One Only

Comes with a certificate of authenticity / information sheet

Termed by some with the genus Isurus (Isurus xiphodon), the Cosmopolitodus genus is another name to differentiate the recognition that this shark was the eventual precursor to the modern Great White shark.   The two share several similarities in their dentition but this topic is still debated and not fully resolved.  We subscribe to the belief and feel the evidence supports the reclassification of this genus as shown.

This is a pristine and beautiful example of one of the two known extinct Great White shark species to be found in the Lee Creek region.  Its name is Cosmopolitodus xiphodon.  The difference from Cosmopolitodus hastalis is C. xiphodon teeth have a taller root with a wider spread of the crown at the root giving the tooth a more longitudinally compressed appearance.  Lee Creek teeth in general, are rare but the C. xiphodon teeth from the region are even more rare than the C. hastalis specimens. 

This tooth is a pure gem tooth acquired over 18 years ago from a worker at the mine.  You will be hard-pressed to locate many teeth of this variety, quality and locale now in the market.  Lee Creek fossil shark teeth carry a premium due to their provenance and known spectacular light color and preservation.  A tooth like this is considered a rare find even "back in the day...".  This is a highly recommended uncommon fossil shark tooth of impeccable preservation and beauty for the discriminating collector.   AS FOUND WITH NO REPAIR AND NO RESTORATION.

On the south shore of the Pamlico river in North Carolina near the Outer Banks lies an open pit phosphate mine still in operation.  This mine produces some of the finest fossil shark teeth in the world and the region is known as "Lee Creek" by most.  There are four recognized formations each with its respective representation of an epoch in time.  They are in order of oldest first, PUNGO RIVER (Lower Miocene), YORKTOWN (Early Pliocene), CHOWAN RIVER (Late Pliocene), and JAMES CITY (Pleistocene).  It is currently believed that the Pungo River layer once existed as a sub-tropical marine environment.  The lowest strata of this formation is theorized to have been under 100 - 200 meters of water when covered by a prehistoric ocean with the uppermost layer having existed at a depth of 70 meters under water.  The Yorktown layer is believed to have been under 80 - 100 meters at its lowest strata with a gradual decrease in the ocean depth to a point where the water was as shallow as 15 meters at the last time period of that formation's existence.

Approximately 50 species of sharks alone are found in the Lee Creek mine.  Other fossils exist representing skates, rays, bony fishes, mammals (mainly marine), reptiles (turtles) and a host of marine invertebrates.  Lee Creek is a world-class site for some of the finest shark fossils.  These specimens are coveted by collectors the world over.  All it takes is to hold one of these gem teeth in your hand and behold the beauty up close and personal.  In doing so, you too, will be hooked forever on the beauty of Lee Creek teeth.