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2mo ago

Largest Martian Meteorite Goes on View in New York Ahead of $4 Million Auction

The acceptance of bids in Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDC reflects Sotheby’s drive to engage crypto collectors

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It's just a piece of rock, but it's from another planet, which makes it incredibly valuable. Bidding sits at US$1.98 million (inc BP) with two weeks to go before the hammer falls
Sotheby's mars bitcoin cryptocurrency Auction NWA 16788 Meteorites Northwest Africa 16788

Overview

  • The 24.67-kilogram NWA-16788 is the largest individual Martian meteorite ever recovered on Earth.
  • It is on public display at Sotheby’s New York through July 15 ahead of its auction on July 16.
  • Sotheby’s is accepting bids in US dollars, Bitcoin, Ethereum and USDC for the specimen.
  • Scientific authentication by the Shanghai Astronomy Museum and the Meteoritical Society confirms its Martian origin and composition of pyroxene, maskelynite and olivine.
  • Researchers remain divided on whether a private sale will restrict access for study or still yield valuable scientific insight.