A stunning and rare example of a crinoid fossil of the species Pentacrinites fossilis from the world-famous Jurassic Coast beach of Charmouth, Dorset UK.
The fossil measures 140 mm (5.5 inches) across and is around 28 mm thick, making it large for this fossil type. The fossil is very well preserved with multiple stem sections with incredibly detailed attachment cirri preserved along with some arms and pinnules from a head. It has a very high level of three dimensionality that is rare in these fossils. It is preserved in limestone with a thin layer of pyrite on the surface giving it a golden shine. These crinoids are very sought after and not easy to find these days and this one is a very fine example and has a high level of detail for these fossils. It is a heavy piece, weighing 310 grams. These crinoids are very sought after and not easy to find these days, and large examples like this are even rarer.
Around 196 million years old (Sinemurian, Early Jurassic), this fossil would make a wonderful addition to any collection.