Fossils for Sale - High-quality BRITISH and WORLDWIDE Fossils. An impressive selection of fossils, including Ammonites, Trilobites, Belemnites, Fossil Fish, Fossil Shark Teeth, Fossilised Insects in Amber, Dinosaurs, and Reptiles. UK Fossils was formed in 1988 and collects and preps our own fossils in the heart of the Jurassic Coast, collecting fossils from Lyme Regis, Charmouth and Somerset. Our passion for fossils is reflected in our carefully curated collection, which includes some of the rarest and most unique specimens available.

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Rare 7″ Fossil Nautilus Cymatoceras elegans Jurassic Kent UK Nautiloid Specimen Collectible Display Piece Authentic Fossil

Name: Rare 7" Fossil Nautilus Cymatoceras elegans Jurassic Kent UK Nautiloid Specimen Collectible Display Piece Authentic Fossil
Brand: SilverGeo
SKU: UF4552
Availability: InStock

Original price was: £312.00.Current price is: £288.00.

This listing features a rare and impressively preserved 7-inch fossil Nautilus, Cenoceras elegans, from the Lower Cenomanian Stage of the Cretaceous Period, found near Lewes, Kent, United Kingdom. The image shows the actual specimen you will receive. Each square or cube in the photo scale equals 1cm – refer to images for full sizing and detail.

This is a museum-quality and scientifically valuable piece, ideal for collectors of cephalopods, marine fossils, or British Cretaceous geology.

All of our Fossils are 100% Genuine Specimens & come with a Certificate of Authenticity.

Geological & Scientific Information:

Fossil Type: Nautiloid (Extinct Marine Cephalopod)
Genus/Species: Cenoceras elegans
Order: Nautilida
Superfamily: Nautilaceae
Family: Nautilidae
Geological Stage: Lower Cenomanian (approx. 100.5 – 98 million years ago)
Biozone: Possibly within the Mantelliceras mantelli ammonite biozone (exact stratigraphy may vary depending on quarry layer)
Formation: Chalk Marl or Lower Chalk (depending on exposure at Lewes)
Locality: Lewes, Kent, United Kingdom
Depositional Environment: Warm, shallow marine shelf with carbonate-rich sedimentation typical of the early Late Cretaceous chalk sea

Morphology & Notable Features:

Characteristically planispiral shell with a smooth to gently ornamented surface
Distinctive simple suture lines, unlike ammonites with complex sutures
The shell exhibits the elegant coiling and chamber divisions typical of Cenoceras
Shell walls typically thick, with strong preservation potential
Excellent contrast between body chamber and phragmocone visible in well-preserved examples

Scientific Significance:

Cenoceras elegans represents one of the last surviving groups of nautiloids that coexisted alongside their more rapidly evolving ammonite cousins. While ammonites are often used for detailed stratigraphy, nautiloids like Cenoceras offer important insights into paleoecology and faunal diversity within the Cretaceous marine ecosystem.

Their more conservative evolutionary path makes them particularly valuable for studies of evolutionary stasis and ecological adaptation during the Mesozoic.

Ideal For:

Collectors of rare British cephalopod fossils
Natural history or educational collections
Cretaceous paleontology enthusiasts
Geological reference displays or museum contexts

What You Will Receive:

The exact Cenoceras elegans fossil shown (7″)
Certificate of Authenticity
Careful and secure packaging for safe delivery

(Actual as seen)

Includes a fully hand-signed Premium Certificate of Authenticity.

Only 1 left in stock

SKU: UF4552 Category: Nautilus

Description

Exceptional 7” Fossil Nautilus – Cymatoceras elegans
This rare and highly collectible 7-inch Fossil Nautilus, identified as Cymatoceras elegans, is a striking example of Late Jurassic marine life from Lewes, Kent, United Kingdom. Nautiloids are an ancient lineage of cephalopods, closely related to modern Nautilus species, and are prized by collectors for their elegant coiled shells and deep evolutionary significance. This particular specimen has been carefully selected for its aesthetic appeal, preservation quality, and display presence, making it an outstanding addition to any fossil collection.

Geological Context – Late Jurassic Marine Environment
Dating to the Late Jurassic period, approximately 163 to 145 million years ago, this fossil originates from marine sedimentary deposits in the Lewes region of Kent. During this time, much of southern England was submerged beneath a warm, shallow epicontinental sea. These environments were rich in marine biodiversity, including ammonites, belemnites, marine reptiles, and nautiloids like Cymatoceras. The fine-grained sediments allowed for excellent fossil preservation, often retaining detailed shell morphology and structural features.

Fossil Type & Taxonomy
Cymatoceras elegans belongs to the subclass Nautiloidea, order Nautilida, and family Cymatoceratidae. Nautiloids are characterised by their chambered shells, which were used for buoyancy control via gas exchange within internal chambers (camerae). Unlike ammonites, nautiloids typically display simpler suture patterns and smoother shell ornamentation, contributing to their distinctive, elegant appearance.

Morphology & Notable Features
This specimen exhibits the classic planispiral coiling associated with nautiloids, with a gently expanding whorl structure. The shell displays subtle ribbing and growth lines, indicative of its natural development in a stable marine environment. The chambers are separated by septa, and although the internal siphuncle is not always visible externally, it played a crucial role in the organism’s buoyancy regulation. The overall symmetry and preservation make this a visually striking piece suitable for both study and display.

Authenticity & Presentation
This fossil is a genuine specimen and includes a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee card, ensuring confidence in its provenance. The photograph provided shows the exact fossil you will receive, offering full transparency and assurance of quality. Each piece is carefully handled and selected to meet high standards for collectors, educators, and enthusiasts alike.

Collector Appeal & Display Value
With its impressive 7-inch size, this Cymatoceras elegans fossil makes a commanding display piece. Nautiloid fossils are less commonly encountered than ammonites, adding to their desirability and rarity. Whether you are an experienced fossil collector or seeking a unique natural history item, this specimen represents both scientific interest and aesthetic beauty, capturing a moment of life from the Jurassic seas of Britain.

Additional information

Era	Cretaceous
Origin	United Kingdom

Cretaceous Information

The Cretaceous Period (145–66 million years ago) was the final era of the Mesozoic, marked by the dominance of dinosaurs and the rise of flowering plants. It had a warm, greenhouse climate, with high sea levels that created vast shallow inland seas. Marine life flourished, including mosasaurs, ammonites, and rudist reefs, while the land was ruled by iconic dinosaurs like Tyrannosaurus rex, Triceratops, and Spinosaurus. Mammals and birds diversified, and insects thrived. The period ended with the mass extinction event, likely caused by an asteroid impact, wiping out the dinosaurs and paving the way for the rise of mammals in the Cenozoic.

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