A RARE WINGED AMMONITE

A RARE WINGED AMMONITE

Lytoceras fimbriatum 

Late Jurassic 

Fresney, Normandy, France

A very fine, robust example with five distinct “wings” and together with an additional fossil nautiloid on the same natural matrix. The ammonite itself measures 12 x 8.6 inches (31.0 x 17.0 cm).

Ammonites are amongst the most instantly recognizable of fossils having existed on Earth for almost 350 million years. Yet this uncommon species of Lytoceras, is quite different having the attached “wings” as seen here. Though discovered many years ago, these bizarre ammonites are quite rare on the market due to the extreme difficulties of preparation. The preserved wings are almost as soft as the surrounding matrix which makes it very difficult to prepare out.