Fossil Rustic Fish Plate 4+ Superb Knightia Green River Fm Wyoming WY COA 3580

Description

Here is a beautiful large fish fossil mortality plate, from the world-famous fossil beds of Fossil Lake, Green River Formation, Wyoming. From the Eocene, 52 million years ago.
From the famed Capping Layer of Fossil Lake (you can tell by the color of the stone), is this natural mortality plate of 4 complete Knighita, plus a number of partial Knightia, plus a beautiful partial Mioplosus, plus a couple fossil gastropods.  Fish from this layer were generally extra dark, and these black-brown fish are no exception. Each is also nearly perfect, from scutes to scales, ribs, skull, vertebrae and other bones, to fins and fin rays.  Superb excellent preservation.  You can tell which is the Mioplosus, it is the posterior half only, with a large full tail.  On the reverse side are remnants of a fairly large Mioplosus fossil.
The plate has a wonderful grey-blue coloration that really make the fossil fish "pop" visually. This piece was at the edge of the Capping Layer, hence the light beige color on one side.  Capping layer stone is the hardest stone in the formation, and it comes out that way when dug up.  We call these "Flintstone" plates, in reference to the pictures they had on their walls.  Some minor repairs were made to stabilize and strengthen the plate.
If you want a nice, sterile, modern-shaped plate, this one is not for you. If you like the rustic look this one displays, and the absolutely  beautiful fish, this is the real deal.
The largest Knightia is a shade over 5 inches, and the other 3 are all just over 4 inches each.  The plate itself is about 18" by 12" at the longer points, and it weighs about 8 lbs. 6 oz.
With this type of specimen, a tiny amount of it may break off in shipping, but not enough to alter the beauty of the piece. I wrap it very carefully in multiple layers of wrap. If that is not acceptable to you, please do not order.
We are happy to enclose a COA (Certificate of Authenticity).
Some words of caution about COA’s: Do not let them become a substitute for learning about the fossils. We have been working with fossils for many years, and we have seen hundreds of very nice-looking COA’s, some that are wrong, mis-describing a specimen. In addition, the person selling the item is often the one who writes the COA (potential conflict of interest). Finally, a COA without a photo of the exact item described, as part of that COA, is worthless, as it can later be placed next to any other fossil.
We suggest that instead of relying on a COA, that people read and study the subject.
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If you take it out of the United States, you are on your own.
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