Ammonite (Subplanites sp), Solhofen Limestone, Germany

I try to stock unique fossils and minerals and while anything from the Solhofen Limestone (Upper Jurassic) generally applies I thought this ammonite was extra fun and interesting. Famous for archaeopteryx, shrimp and other fossils, ammonites do not come to mind from these laggerstatten deposits. While those other fossils are mostly compressed (or impressions) this ammonite is three-dimensionally preserved and is visible on both sides of the 1cm thick matrix plate. The ammonite itself, species subplanites, is 5.5 cm in diameter. A few healed natural fractures have manganese dendrites growing along them adding quite a bit of artistic interest to the specimen. A close eye will spot a few shrimp coprolites near the edges of the plate as well. Certainly a welcome addition to any Solhofen or ammonite collection. From Eichsttat, Germany. Dimensions: 17.5 cm x 23 cm