Hoba — End Cut Of The Largest Meteorite On Earth With Important Provenance

Following the largest iron meteorite ever offered by Sotheby’s is a partial slice of the largest meteorite known to exist — twice as massive as the next largest meteorite known. Hoba (meaning “gift” in Khoekhoegowab) weighs more than 60 metric tons and can be seen today in situ (it has not been moved from where it was discovered) in its own national park in Namibia where an outdoor amphitheater was built around it. The Hoba impact occurred approximately 80,000 years ago and was discovered in 1920 by Jacobus Brits while ploughing his land.

Hoba has been classified as a IVB meteorite of which there are only 18 members. Hoba is unusually nickel-rich and comprised of approximately 84% iron, 16% nickel and 1% trace elements. In 1955 the meteorite was declared a national monument and 1958 the Tsumeb Mining Corporation was given permission by the South West African government to sample the Hoba mass for research purposes; the specimen removed was divided and distributed throughout the world and the specimen now offered is derived from that mass and specifically from the collection of Dr. HJ Lauenstein, a renowned geologist associated with Tsumeb Mining. The cut and polished surface reveals Hoba’s distinctive etch pattern while the reverse features the meteorite’s roughly hewn exterior. A rare offering for meteorite cognoscenti.