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 limestone shale measures 140 mm (5.5 inches) across and contains a single near-complete crinoid head exposed with a crown of arms and pinnules. It has a good level of three dimensionality. It is preserved in limestone with a thin layer of pyrite on the surface giving it a golden shine and is still in the original shale in which it was found, which has been stabilised and has a cut-flat base to allow it to stand freely for display. 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 was found in multiple pieces and has been repaired back together, which is common with these larger crinoid fossils. It weighs 265 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.