Rare Fossil Ammonite Stephanoceras hoffmanni Jurassic Bajocian Calvados France | Authentic Fossil

Description

This is a rare and scientifically significant fossil of Stephanoceras hoffmanni, a large ribbed ammonite species from the Middle Bajocian stage of the Jurassic period. The specimen was discovered in the renowned fossiliferous limestone deposits near Euzerchy, Calvados, Normandy, France—a region famous for yielding exceptionally preserved ammonites from the mid-Jurassic marine environments.

Geological Context:

• Fossil Type: Ammonite (Extinct marine mollusc, related to squid and octopus)
• Species: Stephanoceras hoffmanni (Wähner, 1892)
• Order: Ammonitida
• Superfamily: Stephanoceratoidea
• Family: Stephanoceratidae
• Geological Stage: Middle Bajocian (c. 170.3 to 168.3 million years ago)
• Formation: Bajocian Limestone sequences of Normandy
• Depositional Environment: Shallow epicontinental marine setting, carbonate platform

Ammonites of the genus Stephanoceras are iconic for their large, robust shells and dramatic ribbing, often with spines or tubercles on the flanks and venter. S. hoffmanni is considered one of the more ornate species in the genus and is often used as a biostratigraphic marker in the European Middle Jurassic.

Morphology & Notable Features:

• Involute shell with strongly ribbed whorls
• Prominent bifurcating ribs with tuberculate ornamentation
• Shell diameter typically large and laterally compressed
• Venter may bear keel or be rounded depending on growth stage
• Classic example of Middle Jurassic ammonite morphology

Biozone Association: Stephanoceras hoffmanni is a key taxon within the Stephanoceras humphriesianum Zone, aiding in the subdivision and correlation of Middle Bajocian strata across Europe.

Specimen Details:

• Origin: Euzerchy, Calvados, Normandy, France
• Age: Middle Bajocian Stage, Jurassic (~169 million years old)
• Scale: Scale rule square/cube = 1cm. Refer to photographs for actual size
• Condition: Carefully chosen for morphological clarity and completeness
• Photo: The item shown is the exact fossil you will receive

Certification & Authenticity: All of our fossils are 100% genuine specimens and come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We personally select and verify each fossil to meet strict scientific and aesthetic standards.

This Stephanoceras hoffmanni ammonite fossil is a spectacular representation of Jurassic marine life and is highly sought after by collectors, researchers, and educators. A museum-worthy piece from the heart of Europe’s mid-Jurassic record.