Largest Martian Meteorite on Earth to Auction for Up to $4 Million

NEW YORK — A Martian meteorite weighing 54.388 pounds (24.67 kilograms) is set to go under the hammer at Sotheby’s in New York, with an estimated auction price ranging from $2 million to $4 million. This meteorite, designated NWA 16788, is lauded as the largest piece of Mars ever found on Earth and will be featured as part of Sotheby’s Geek Week auction on July 16, 2025.

Cassandra Hatton, Vice Chairman for Science and Natural History at Sotheby’s, highlighted the exceptional size of this specimen, stating, "This Martian meteorite is the largest piece of Mars we have ever found by a long shot. So it’s more than double the size of what we previously thought was the largest piece of Mars." The meteorite's dimensions measure almost 15 inches by 11 inches by 6 inches (375 millimeters by 279 millimeters by 152 millimeters), and it constitutes nearly 7% of all Martian materials currently on Earth.

The meteorite is believed to have originated from Mars after being dislodged by a massive asteroid impact, subsequently traveling approximately 140 million miles (225 million kilometers) to land in the Sahara Desert. A meteorite hunter discovered it in Niger in November 2023. Experts confirmed its Martian origin by analyzing a small sample against the chemical composition of Martian meteorites identified during NASA's Viking space probe missions in 1976. The meteorite is classified as an "olivine-microgabbroic shergottite," a type of rock that forms from the slow cooling of Martian magma, and it contains minerals such as pyroxene and olivine.

The upcoming auction will also feature a juvenile Ceratosaurus skeleton, estimated to fetch between $4 million and $6 million. This dinosaur fossil, found in Wyoming in 1996, highlights the increasing interest and value placed on unique natural history specimens by collectors and investors alike. The auction is part of a broader trend in the collectible market, where rare geological and paleontological items command high prices, reflecting both their scientific significance and desirability among collectors.

As the auction date approaches, experts and collectors alike are keenly watching the developments surrounding this unprecedented sale. The implications of such high-value items entering the market could influence future auctions and collections of meteorites and fossils.

This sale not only represents a significant opportunity for collectors but also serves as a reminder of the fascinating connections between Earth and its neighboring planet, Mars. As scientific exploration of Mars continues, the allure of Martian artifacts is likely to grow, potentially leading to even more extraordinary finds in the future.