Obsidian Projectile Point Value Guide

This Obsidian Projectile Point is a remarkable example of prehistoric Native American craftsmanship, dating from 500 CE to 1800 CE. Highly prized for its razor-sharp edges that exceed modern surgical steel, these volcanic glass artifacts represent essential tools for hunting and warfare across the Great Basin.

What Is Obsidian Projectile Point Worth?

The typical price range for Obsidian Projectile Point is $75 - $90 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The precision and symmetry of the knapping, particularly the quality of the pressure flaking on the edges.
• The overall size and preservation of the point, with intact tips and bases commanding higher prices.
• Provenance and geographical origin within the United States, specifically the Great Basin region.
• The rarity of the specific point style and the clarity of the obsidian material used.

How to Identify Obsidian Projectile Point?

• Examine the surface for distinct pressure flaking scars characteristic of the traditional flintknapping process.
• Verify the material is genuine volcanic glass, which should exhibit a translucent quality and a conchoidal fracture pattern.
• Check for specific stylistic markers consistent with indigenous cultures of the United States' American West.
• Look for a uniform dark color and a glassy luster unique to natural obsidian sources.

History of Obsidian Projectile Point

Obsidian, a natural volcanic glass, was highly valued by indigenous North American cultures for its ability to produce extremely sharp edges, often sharper than modern surgical steel. These projectile points were crucial for hunting and warfare. The technology used to create them, known as flintknapping, required great skill and precision, employing pressure flaking to achieve the final form. The material and style are characteristic of cultures found across the American West and Great Basin.