Megalodon Tooth - Otodus megalodon (Miocene to Pliocene)

Name: Megalodon Tooth - Otodus megalodon (Miocene to Pliocene)
Brand: kenmic
Availability: LimitedAvailability

Large tan fossilized Megalodon shark tooth with serrated edges and ruler for scale reaching 12.5 cm. - view 1

1/3

Estimated value

$180 - $350

Rarity

Average(4/10)

MEGALODON TOOTH - OTODUS MEGALODON (MIOCENE TO PLIOCENE): IDENTIFICATION

Large fossilized upper principal tooth from the extinct megatooth shark Otodus megalodon. The specimen measures approximately 12.5 cm (4.9 inches) along the slant edge. It features a broad, triangular crown with fine serrations still largely intact along the mesial and distal edges. The bourlette, a chevron-shaped band between the enamel and the root, is visible though partially weathered. The root is robust and typically mineralized, exhibiting a porous texture consistent with phosphatization processes.

Compare with other fossils in the archive: Trilobite - Drotops megalomanicus (Devonian, Ma'der Basin, Morocco) 11cm, Prepared, Fossil Fish Positive/Negative - Vinctifer comptoni (Cretaceous, Santana Formation, Brazil), Megalodon Tooth - Otodus megalodon (Miocene to Pliocene).

COLLECTOR NOTES

A Megalodon's bite force is estimated to have been between 108,000 and 182,000 newtons, which is more than ten times that of a modern Great White shark.

SCARCITY

Average55-70%

CommonLegendary

Typical antique shop fare. Requires some searching but regularly available. This is where most genuine antiques fall.

Rarity 4/10. Curiosa currently catalogues 11 fossils items at rarity 4 or higher.

Typical Characteristics

Standard antique shop items
Regularly available
Moderate collector interest

Confidence Factors

Serration detail and vertical enamel cracks are naturally occurring and difficult to replicate in casts
Root porosity and mineral pitting are consistent with authentic geologic aging
Measurement and morphology align perfectly with known Otodus megalodon upper jaw dentition

How does authenticity detection work?

PALEONTOLOGIST'S TAKE

Paleontology Specialist

Fossil Expert

Identification is high due to extremely clear images of diagnostic features like serration consistency and the bourlette, which are the hallmarks of this species.

KEY EVIDENCE

1Presence of the diagnostic bourlette (chevron line between root and crown)
2Fine, regular serrations consistent with Otodus genus
3Mineralization patterns and hydration cracking in the enameloid
4Triangular, broad morphology identifying it as an upper principal tooth

UNCERTAINTIES

•Potential for minor fill/stabilization in the root area, typical for commercial specimens

WHAT WOULD IMPROVE CERTAINTY

→Examine the root/crown junction under UV light to check for adhesive or resin restoration
→Verify locality to confirm if it originated from a sustainable legal collection site

CONDITION & GRADE

Fine to Very Fine

Grading breakdown

Serrations are roughly 85-90% complete. The absence of major restoration and the presence of a sharp tip elevate the grade despite some root mineral pitting.

Condition

The tip is exceptionally well-preserved and sharp. Minor distal chipping is present near the root junction. The root is complete but lacks the high-gloss polish of premium-prepped gallery specimens.