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Orthoceras Vagans Fossil Orthocone, Ashgill Series Ordovician, Rhiwlas Wales UK - Genuine Specimen Certificate

Orthoceras Vagans Fossil Orthocone, Ashgill Series Ordovician, Rhiwlas Wales UK – Genuine Specimen Certificate

Original price was: £14.40.Current price is: £12.24.

Enhance your fossil collection with this authentic Orthoceras vagans orthocone fossil, originating from the Ashgill Series of the Late Ordovician period, found in Rhiwlas, near Bala, Gwynedd, Wales, UK. This striking straight-shelled cephalopod is a genuine remnant of ancient marine ecosystems that existed over 445 million years ago.

Fossil Type: Orthocone Cephalopod

Species: Orthoceras vagans

Geological Period: Ordovician (~485 to 443 million years ago)

Geological Series: Ashgill (Late Ordovician)

Location: Rhiwlas, Bala, Gwynedd, Wales, UK

Scale Rule: Squares/Cube = 1cm (Please refer to the photo for full sizing details)

Specimen: The photo shows the exact specimen you will receive

Authenticity: All of our fossils are 100% genuine specimens and come with a Certificate of Authenticity

Geological and Paleontological Information

Orthoceras vagans was a type of extinct nautiloid cephalopod belonging to a group of straight-shelled marine molluscs that thrived in the Paleozoic oceans. Fossils from the Ashgill Series of the Ordovician represent some of the last cephalopod species before the major end-Ordovician extinction event.

  • Phylum: Mollusca
  • Class: Cephalopoda
  • Order: Orthocerida
  • Family: Orthoceratidae
  • Superfamily: Orthocerataceae
  • Geological Stage: Ashgill (approximately 449 to 443 million years ago)
  • Depositional Environment: Deeper marine shelf environment with fine-grained sediments like shales and limestones typical of the Welsh Basin during the Late Ordovician
  • Morphological Features: Long, straight shell (orthocone) with multiple internal chambers (phragmocone); transverse septa separate the chambers; central or subcentral siphuncle used for buoyancy regulation; external ornamentation may include fine growth lines and annulations
  • Notable: Orthoceras vagans and other orthocerids from the Bala region are crucial for understanding cephalopod evolution and paleoecology in the pre-extinction Ordovician marine environment
  • Biozone: Likely corresponds to the upper Ordovician graptolite or brachiopod biozones of the Ashgill Series, though exact zonation is site-dependent
  • Identifier: The species vagans has been recognized in European Ordovician fossil records and is frequently used in stratigraphic studies

Why This Fossil Is Special

This fossil provides a window into the Late Ordovician seas of ancient Wales and offers both scientific and aesthetic appeal. Its preservation in a region of high stratigraphic importance makes it valuable for collectors, educators, and geologists alike.

Why Buy From Us?

  • 100% genuine fossil with Certificate of Authenticity
  • The item shown in the photos is exactly what you will receive
  • Ethically sourced from established UK fossil localities
  • Great for teaching, scientific research, collecting, or display

Own a rare and historically significant piece of Earth’s ancient oceans with this Orthoceras vagans fossil orthocone from the Ashgill Series of Rhiwlas, Bala, Wales — an enduring relic from over 445 million years ago.

(Actual as seen)

Only 1 left in stock

SKU: UF3374 Category:

Description

Orthoceras Vagans Fossil Orthocone

This Orthoceras Vagans fossil orthocone is identified with the Ashgill Series of the Ordovician and associated with Rhiwlas, Bala, Gwynedd, Wales, UK. It is a distinctive fossil for collectors interested in Ordovician marine life, cephalopod fossils and the geological history of Wales.

Fossil Identification and Geological Context

The term “orthocone” describes the straight, conical shell form associated with ancient nautiloid cephalopods. Unlike the tightly coiled shells seen in many later ammonites, orthocone fossils preserve an elongated chambered shape, making them especially recognisable and popular with fossil collectors. The supplied identification is Orthoceras Vagans, with the additional geological identification of Ashgill Series, Ordovician.

The Ashgill Series represents a significant interval within the Ordovician Period. Fossils from this part of the geological record are valued for their connection to ancient marine environments and the diverse organisms that lived in Ordovician seas. An orthocone fossil provides an attractive opportunity to explore the early history of cephalopods and the development of chambered shells in the fossil record.

Locality and Collector Interest

The specimen information identifies Rhiwlas, Bala, Gwynedd, Wales, UK. Welsh Ordovician fossils are sought after for their geological interest and for the insight they provide into the ancient marine environments represented by the rocks of the region. This fossil is suitable for a private fossil collection, geology display, educational study area or natural history presentation.

Its elongated orthocone form makes it an appealing display fossil, while the Ordovician and Ashgill Series identification adds useful geological context. It can be presented as a standalone specimen or included alongside other marine fossils, cephalopod fossils and Ordovician examples to create a themed collection.

Display and Sizing

Full sizing is shown in the photographs. The photographs are intended to provide a clear view of the actual item, including its form and appearance, so please review them carefully when assessing the specimen for your collection or display.

The photograph shows the actual specimen you will receive.

Authenticity

This Fossil is a genuine specimen and Includes a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card.

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