Largest Martian Meteorite on Earth Sells for $5.3 Million at New York Auction

The largest known Martian meteorite, NWA 16788, was sold at a Sotheby's auction in New York on July 16, 2025, for $5.3 million, including fees. Weighing 54 pounds (24.67 kilograms), the meteorite was discovered in the Sahara Desert in Niger in November 2023. It is approximately 70% larger than the next largest piece of Mars found on Earth and represents nearly 7% of all Martian material currently known on Earth. The meteorite measures nearly 15 inches by 11 inches by 6 inches (375 millimeters by 279 millimeters by 152 millimeters). Its reddish-brown fusion crust and glassy surface are indicative of its Martian origin and the intense heat experienced during its journey through Earth's atmosphere. Prior to the auction, the meteorite was exhibited at the Italian Space Agency in Rome... The identity of the buyer was not... auction also featured a juvenile Ceratosaurus nasicorn... from the late Jurassic period, which sold for $30.5 million, including fees. This specimen, unearthed in Wyoming in 1996, measures over 6 feet tall and nearly 11 feet long. The Sotheby's Geek Week 202... auction included 122 rare items, such as meteorites, fossils, and minerals. The sale of NWA 16788 underscores the growing interest in extraterrestrial artifacts and rare fossils among collectors and institutions. However, the commercialization of such items has raised concerns within the scientific community regarding access for research and public display. Experts emphasize the importance of preserving these specimens for scientific study and public education, highlighting the need for a balance between private ownership and public benefit.