Sculpted Stone

Here is an amazing crinoid plate from a location that is now closed to collecting. This is an awesome Cactocrinus imperator multiple slab from the Mississippian of Gilmore City, Iowa. This specimen was found over 30 years ago when this incredible layer was discovered and quickly collected out. There are FOUR large Cactocrinus crowns and many partials and stems preserved on the plate. There are also a half a dozen other smaller crinoids preserved of at least two different species. The fossil ''sea lilies'' are very 3-dimensional and exhibit very nice detail. The striking camerate crinoids have a large, stellate-plated cup and very long, stout biserial arms. The gorgeous, white-brown crinoids contrast beautifully with the grey matrix plate. Two of the extinct echinoderms still have their long stems intact, which is somewhat unusual. All of the crinoids display beautifully on the large, natural, unbroken slab of limestone. This is an extremely collectible multiple example of large Cactocrinus and other crinoids from the Gilmore City "Cacto" layer that has not been exposed for over 30 years!

A Certificate of Authenticity from EXTINCTIONS is included with this specimen.