RARE: Pseudohelicoceras Heteromorph Ammonite Fossil – Albian, Cretaceous – Courcelles, Aube, France – Certified – Alice Purnell Collection

Description

RARE HETEROMORPH AMMONITE – PSEUDOHELICOCERAS – ALBIAN, CRETACEOUS – COURCELLES, AUBE, FRANCE

Offered here is a beautifully preserved and scientifically rare fossil of Pseudohelicoceras, a genus of heteromorph ammonites from the Albian stage of the Early Cretaceous, approximately 113 to 100.5 million years ago. This specimen was discovered in Courcelles, Aube, France, a site noted for its fossiliferous marine sediments.

This distinctive ammonite comes from the renowned Alice Purnell Collection, which ensures verified provenance and careful selection of scientifically valuable and display-worthy fossils.

The image shows the actual specimen you will receive. For accurate scale, please refer to the photo featuring a 1cm scale cube. Full sizing can be determined from this reference.

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

FOSSIL DETAILS:

• Species: Pseudohelicoceras
• Type: Heteromorph ammonite
• Family: Possible Anisoceratidae (tentative, as taxonomy varies)
• Superfamily: Turrilitoidea
• Order: Ammonitida
• Class: Cephalopoda
• Phylum: Mollusca
• Age: Albian Stage, Early Cretaceous (approx. 113–100.5 million years ago)
• Locality: Courcelles, Aube, France
• Formation: Likely marine marl or chalk from the Vocontian Basin facies
• Collection: Alice Purnell Collection

GEOLOGY & PALAEONTOLOGY:

The Albian Stage represents a significant period of ammonite evolution and diversification within Cretaceous marine ecosystems. The region around Courcelles in the Aube department of France is part of the Vocontian Basin, known for its pelagic to hemipelagic marine deposits.

• Depositional Environment: Outer shelf to upper slope; deeper marine setting
• Preservation: Usually in fine limestone or marly matrix, aiding excellent detail retention
• Biozone Context: Often associated with mid- to late Albian ammonite zones (e.g., Mortoniceras inflatum biozone)
• Scientific Relevance: Heteromorph ammonites such as Pseudohelicoceras are notable for their unusual coiling, which represents evolutionary experiments in ammonite morphology.

MORPHOLOGICAL FEATURES:

• Shell exhibits open, irregular, helically coiled whorls rather than the planispiral shape typical of most ammonites
• Ornamentation includes ribbing and potential tubercles or spines, depending on preservation
• Sutures may show moderate complexity, consistent with other turrilitid-type heteromorphs
• These morphological traits are interpreted as adaptations to a less active, possibly planktonic lifestyle

NOTES FOR COLLECTORS:

• This is a very rare and display-quality specimen of a heteromorph ammonite, offering a distinct contrast to more common planispiral forms
• Perfect for collectors focused on evolutionary diversity, Cretaceous marine fauna, or rare French localities
• Includes Certificate of Authenticity and a direct link to the Alice Purnell Collection, noted for scientific integrity and careful fossil curation

SUMMARY:

• Species: Pseudohelicoceras
• Age: Albian, Early Cretaceous
• Location: Courcelles, Aube, France
• Geological Unit: Likely Vocontian Basin marine facies
• Group: Heteromorph ammonites (Turrilitoidea)
• Collection: Alice Purnell
• Genuine fossil with COA
• 1cm scale cube in image for size reference
• Exact fossil shown in photo

This is a rare opportunity to acquire a well-preserved and fascinating example of a Cretaceous heteromorph ammonite from France’s famous fossil-rich strata.