Very Rare 10.5″ Fossil Nautilus pseudoelegans, Cretaceous Grey Chalk, Folkestone UK, Genuine with COA

Description

Presented here is a Very Rare 10.5″ Fossil Nautilus of Nautilus pseudoelegans from the Grey Chalk Formation of the Cretaceous Period, collected near Folkestone, Kent, United Kingdom. This remarkable nautiloid represents a rare find in UK strata, especially at this exceptional size and preservation level.

The photos show the actual specimen you will receive, which has been professionally handled, chosen for its impressive scientific integrity, and aesthetic appeal.

Scale Rule Squares / Cube = 1cm — please refer to the image for full sizing.

Geological & Taxonomic Details:

• Species: Nautilus pseudoelegans
• Fossil Type: Nautiloid cephalopod (extinct relative of modern nautiluses)
• Geological Period: Cretaceous
• Geological Stage: Likely Cenomanian (early Late Cretaceous)
• Age: Approx. 100–94 million years old
• Location: Folkestone, Kent, England, UK
• Formation: Grey Chalk Subgroup
• Order: Nautilida
• Superfamily: Nautilaceae
• Family: Nautilidae
• Originally Described By: J. Sowerby, 1816

Morphology Features:

Nautilus pseudoelegans is characterised by its planispiral shell, typically more compressed than modern Nautilus pompilius, with a moderately involute coiling. The whorls are smooth or bear faint growth lines, and the umbilicus is small or hidden. In contrast to ammonites, nautiloids like this species had simpler suture lines and fewer, larger chambers.

This 10.5″ specimen is exceptionally large, making it a museum-grade example. Its clean, well-preserved outer whorls and visible internal chambering make it a display-worthy piece of natural history.

Biozone & Stratigraphy:

Although not a zonal index fossil, Nautilus pseudoelegans is found within specific intervals of the Grey Chalk Subgroup, allowing it to assist in local stratigraphic correlation, particularly within southern England.

Depositional Environment:

The Grey Chalk Formation is composed of soft, fine-grained carbonate mudstones deposited in a warm, shallow marine shelf environment. Conditions were ideal for the preservation of shelly fauna, especially during lower sedimentation and reduced terrigenous input periods.

Scientific Significance:

Nautiloids like Nautilus pseudoelegans are relatively rare compared to ammonites in the fossil record of the Cretaceous, especially in British deposits. Their significance lies in the evolutionary continuity they provide — as living nautiluses are the last surviving externally-shelled cephalopods, fossils such as this bridge an important gap in our understanding of cephalopod evolution, morphology, and palaeoecology.

Authenticity & Guarantee:

All of our fossils are 100% genuine, responsibly collected and professionally verified. Every specimen is sold with a Certificate of Authenticity, providing full documentation of origin and fossil classification.

This Nautilus pseudoelegans is a very rare opportunity to own a large, well-preserved nautiloid fossil from a key locality in British palaeontology. Ideal for collectors, educators, museums, or as a statement piece in any natural history display.

Let us know if you’d like a version of the label or documentation formatted for framing or educational use.