Al Haggounia 001 Meteorite Value Guide

The Al Haggounia 001 is a scientifically significant enstatite chondrite melt rock discovered in 2006 within the Sahara Desert. Originally mistaken for a fossil meteorite due to its distinct weathered appearance, this 4.5 billion-year-old specimen represents material from a precursor asteroid that survived extreme thermal events.

What affects the value of Al Haggounia 001 Meteorite?

• Specimen weight and size, with smaller fragments typically retailing between $25 and $45.
• The quality of the preparation, such as whether the piece is a raw individual, a polished slice, or an end cut.
• The degree of terrestrial oxidation, as less weathered specimens often command higher interest from collectors.
• Authenticity documentation linking the piece to the official Al Haggounia 001 classification.

How to Identify Al Haggounia 001 Meteorite?

• Look for a characteristic rusty, pale-brown to yellow-ochre exterior caused by terrestrial weathering in the Northwest Africa region.
• Identify the presence of enstatite crystals and small inclusions of nickel-iron or plagioclase within the melt rock matrix.
• Verify the texture as an EL-melt rock, which lacks the traditional chondrule structures found in standard chondrites.
• Confirm the specimen originates from the large strewn field near Chenachane or the Moroccan Sahara.

History of Al Haggounia 001 Meteorite

Discovered in 2006 near Chenachane, Algeria, and later in Morocco, this meteorite was initially classified as a fossil meteorite due to its unique weathered appearance. It is part of a large strewn field in the Northwest Africa region and is scientifically significant as an EL-melt rock, representing material from a precursor asteroid that underwent extreme heating.