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Product Description
The PSYCHOPYGE trilobite is an awesome, bizarre and highly-prized trilobite species with its strange shovel-like protrusion off the anterior of the cephalon (head). It has been suggested that this appendage was used to root up food from the prehistoric ocean floor.
Painstakingly prepared under a microscope to extract all tiny dorsal spines and expose them free from the matrix, this SHORT SNOUT VARIETY Psychopyge elegans trilobite is a MUST HAVE for any serious collector that demands the best. It is truly a breath-taking example and offers a rare opportunity to acquire not only a genuine Psychopyge, but one with a genuine rostral process and ALL spines free from the rock matrix and standing on their own! ALL spines running in three rows down the body are COMPLETELY FREE-STANDING. The head spine is also free and standing without any surrounding matrix. BOTH eyes are well preserved with excellent multi-lens detail. All body side spines are present and not deformed or sheared. Color is completely natural and is a dark olive black. The hallmark of the PSYCHOPYGE trilobite is its rostral process. In many cases, this is damaged or missing in preparation. This specimen features a 100% original spines and nose process. Pygidial spines are NATURALLY disarticulated and a feature that occurred in prehistory prior to fossilization. Shorter than typical rostral process is possibly a gender trait???
Very few Psychopyge trilobites are prepared with all spines free-standing. The Psychopyge trilobite, because of its high price tag and rarity, is one of most faked trilobites of the spiny varieties. We are proud to offer such a fine quality, genuine example with such time-intensive preparation work done in the lab.
WARNING: There are several different grades of spiny trilobites on the market now with seemingly identical and very convincing appearances. Fakers have mastered producing 100% complete replicas of trilobites with free-standing spines. There are also classes of trilobites offered from the source that have varying degrees of fabrication such as a genuine trilobite but with all spines being fabricated. Prices generally will reflect the quality as the source preparators and sellers know the global prices and charge accordingly for the different degrees of authenticity of their specimens. Nevertheless, price should not be your only guide. Often, features such as thicker than normal spines and a dull, almost chalky appearance without any natural satin luster to the creature are some obvious signs of fakes. Know how to tell a genuine from a fake by reading this and rely ONLY on established professional sellers who have active experience in fossil preparation and will offer you an unconditional LIFETIME guarantee IN WRITING of the authenticity of the specimen.
