Fossil, Pentremites (ex Alex Cook Collection)

Item Description

We don't offer a lot of fossils in the auctions, but this one is cool and you don't see a lot of these on the market. Pentremites are an extinct genus of echinoderms which were related to the crinoids or sea lilies, living on the sea floor attached by a stalk. They trapped food floating in the currents by means of tentacle-like appendices and were plentiful during the Carboniferous Period (more specifically the Pennsylvanian Period dating from 320 million years ago to 299 million years ago). Fossils are found in the central region of the North America continent. This piece comes from Millstadt, Illinois and features a VERY well preseverd Pentrimite measuring 1.7 cm on host rock matrix. The detail and form and superb, along with being very aesthetic. The piece comes from the Mississippian Age, Ridenhower Period.