A collage of images from the latest meteorite auction from Christie’s auction house.
Christie’s
If you’ve ever wanted an object from space in your home – and have some cash to burn after buying your ticket for space tourism – now’s your chance. Auction house Christie’s has today opened bidding on a series of rare meteorites from the Moon, Mars, and the deepest reaches of space.
The lot, called “Deep Impact,” contains 66 objects from space, all of which have crashed to Earth at some point in our planetary past. Most are still in their natural form, though some – including this stunning Seymchan sphere – have been shaped by terrestrial artists to increase the artistic value of the object.
The third-largest piece of Mars on earth, available for auction now.
Christie’s
Notable (and among the most expensive, naturally) items in the lot include the third-largest piece of Martian rock on Earth (estimated value $500k-$800k), the Aguas Zargas doghouse and associated meteorite, a piece of the Moon that was blasted off during some impact eons ago, and a fascinating piece of impact glass created when a meteorite struck the Sahara Desert roughly 29 million years ago.
As part of exploring this catalog of fascinating – and completely outside my budget – space (or space-related) objects, I spoke with Christie’s specialist James Hyslop and meteorite dealer and expert Darryl Pitt about the objects and how competitive you can expect bidding on this particular lot of items to be.
1. Are there any special rules surrounding the ownership, buying, and selling of space artifacts like meteorites?
“Generally, the ownership of a meteorite lies with the landowner where it is found,” Hyslop says. “This varies from country to country, so it’s best to check with the local authorities before you collect specimens yourself.”
“The cardinal rule when buying meteorites is to only do so from an entity you can trust,” Pitt adds.
2. What kind of market is there for these types of artifacts? Broadly speaking, how big is the market, and do items typically go above starting price? Has Christie’s seen increased interest in these types of objects over the years, and if so, can you elaborate on that timeline?
“Since we started standalone space-themed sales in 2014, we’ve gone from a sale total of $634,375 to our record-breaking auction last year of $4,351,750,” Hyslop shares. “Last year, Christie’s also achieved a world record price for a meteorite at auction of £525,000 ($722,925).”
This is undoubtedly driven by the increase in space activities like SpaceX’s starship, space tourism flights, and popular culture like the recent movie Don’t Look Up; this particular lot is named Deep Impact, harkening back to a 1998 sci-fi film about a huge meteor strike.
A small piece of Lunar rock, now available on auction from Christie’s
Christie’s
“There is a palpable excitement around this market at the moment,” Hyslop concludes. Pitt agrees: “Interest in meteorites has been growing over the last several decades, and it will continue to rise as demand is vastly outstripping the supply. However, the very best meteorites are today still a bargain. Be assured, ten years from now, we’ll be looking back at how inexpensive meteorite prices were in the 2020s.” (Start saving up now if you want one!)
3. Historically, what kinds of (potential) buyers have been interested in these objects? Are there specific geographic markets with greater interest? Or is it global?
“Last year’s Deep Impact auction saw bidders from 23 different countries. This is evidence of the universal appeal of meteorites and the sense of wonder they generate, regardless of things like nationality or age,” Pitt says, no pun intended with the “universal” comment.
Hyslop gives additional insight: “Over the last 15 years, I’ve seen interest from meteorite collectors explode into the wider art market. Our buyers in these meteorite auctions are bidding in other art auctions, and buyers are increasingly global whereas they used to be mostly American. The auction also features diverse price points, so there is something for every collector in this sale.”
4. What makes a space object valuable enough to be part of these kinds of events?
“You often get distorted view of meteorites by looking at Christie’s auctions, because we offer the very best of the meteorite market and are highly selective,” Hyslop says. “Our meteorites must be exceptional aesthetically or have outstanding provenance, whether it has fascinating origins in our solar system or an interesting backstory from its time on Earth. For example, not only does the Gibeon Meteorite in this year’s sale have a rich history, it’s also a show-stopping natural sculpture that holds its own against any art piece.”
If you’re keen to drop a few grand – or a few hundred – this year’s Deep Impact lot is open for bidding until February 23rd. Before you slap down that high-balance, no-APR-for-12-months credit card, there’s one last thing to consider: “One question about ownership that people often ask is whether meteorites are safe to own or if they are radioactive, and the good news is that they are absolutely safe,” Hyslop says. “In fact, meteorites are less radioactive than a banana!”
