Description
Rare Amoeboceras prionodes Fossil Ammonite
This is a rare and carefully chosen Amoeboceras prionodes fossil ammonite from the Upper Oxfordian stage of the Jurassic Period, dredged from Weymouth Bay, Dorset, UK. Measuring approximately 4.5 inches, with full sizing shown in the photograph, this is an excellent British Jurassic ammonite specimen with strong collector appeal. The photograph shows the actual fossil you will receive, making it ideal for buyers who want to see the exact preservation, colour, surface texture and natural character of the piece before purchasing.
This genuine fossil comes from the Alice Purnell Collection and includes a fully hand-signed Premium Certificate of Authenticity. It is a desirable display specimen for fossil collectors, ammonite enthusiasts, geology students, natural history collections and anyone interested in the classic Jurassic fossils of the Dorset coast.
Geology and Jurassic Age
Amoeboceras prionodes dates from the Upper Oxfordian, part of the Late Jurassic, approximately 160 million years old. During this time, southern England lay beneath warm Jurassic seas, where marine sediments accumulated across what is now Dorset and the wider Wessex Basin. These ancient marine environments supported a rich ecosystem of ammonites, belemnites, bivalves, brachiopods, fish and marine reptiles.
The Oxfordian is an important interval in Jurassic geology and palaeontology, particularly for ammonite biostratigraphy. Ammonites evolved rapidly and spread widely through ancient seas, making them valuable index fossils for dating and correlating rock layers. Fossils from this period help build a clearer picture of changing sea levels, marine habitats and faunal communities during the Late Jurassic.
Fossil Type and Species
This specimen is an ammonite, an extinct marine cephalopod related to modern squid, cuttlefish and nautilus. Ammonites lived inside coiled, chambered shells. The animal occupied the outer body chamber, while the earlier chambers helped control buoyancy as it moved through the water column. Their hard shells were sometimes buried in marine sediment after death, allowing them to fossilise over millions of years.
Species: Amoeboceras prionodes
Genus: Amoeboceras
Family: Cardioceratidae
Superfamily: Perisphinctoidea
Order: Ammonitida
Class: Cephalopoda
Phylum: Mollusca
Amoeboceras is a well-known Late Jurassic ammonite genus, particularly associated with Oxfordian marine deposits. Members of this genus are valued by collectors and palaeontologists for their distinctive shell form, compressed whorl shape and ornamental ribbing. Amoeboceras ammonites are often important in the study of Oxfordian ammonite zones and faunal succession, especially in northern European Jurassic sequences.
Morphology and Display Features
Amoeboceras prionodes is known for its elegant coiled shell form and attractive Jurassic ammonite morphology. The shell is typically compressed, with visible whorls and ribbing that reflect the animal’s growth stages. The rib pattern, whorl profile and overall shell shape are important features used in ammonite identification and make this fossil especially interesting as both a scientific specimen and a display piece.
The classic spiral form of the ammonite is one of the most recognisable shapes in the fossil record. Each whorl records a stage in the animal’s development, producing a natural geometric pattern that has made ammonites highly collectable for generations. At approximately 4.5 inches, this specimen is a pleasing size for display while still showing the distinctive character expected from a quality Jurassic ammonite.
Weymouth Bay, Dorset Fossil Locality
This fossil was dredged from Weymouth Bay, Dorset, UK, an area associated with the fossil-rich Jurassic geology of southern England. Dorset is internationally famous for its Jurassic Coast and wider marine fossil heritage, with sedimentary rocks that preserve remains from ancient seas. Ammonites from this region are especially popular among collectors because they combine classic British locality appeal with genuine scientific and geological interest.
Dredged fossils from marine settings may show natural surface textures, wear, mineralisation or colour variation resulting from their geological history and later seabed exposure. These features are part of the fossil’s individual character and can make each specimen visually distinctive.
Authenticity and Alice Purnell Collection Provenance
This Amoeboceras prionodes ammonite is a genuine fossil specimen from the Alice Purnell Collection. It has been carefully selected as a quality collector’s piece and is supplied with a fully hand-signed Premium Certificate of Authenticity. The photograph shows the exact fossil being sold, so the buyer can clearly view the specimen’s shape, preservation and natural features.
As with all genuine fossils, natural cracks, matrix, surface marks, mineralisation, preparation marks and age-related wear may be present. These are normal characteristics of authentic fossil specimens and form part of their natural history. This rare Upper Oxfordian ammonite from Weymouth Bay, Dorset, is a highly appealing fossil for collectors seeking a genuine British Jurassic ammonite with strong display value, scientific interest and premium certified provenance.
