$75,000 Meteorite Used as Barn Door Stop for 30 Years

The 10-Kilogram Doorstop Sold for $75,000

A Michigan man who spent 30 years using a heavy, metallic rock to prop open his barn door discovered the object was actually a rare, 4.5-billion-year-old meteorite. The 10.22-kilogram specimen, found on a farm in Edmore, was ultimately purchased by the Abrams Planetarium at Michigan State University for $75,000. The discovery transitioned the object from a mundane farm tool to a significant scientific asset. David Mazurek, who purchased the Edmore farm in 1988, had used the rock as a doorstop for three decades without knowing its financial or scientific value.

Geological Analysis at Central Michigan University

The true nature of the rock was confirmed after David Mazurek, the farm’s owner, brought it to the attention of Mona Sirbescu, a geologist at Central Michigan University. Further testing by the Smithsonian Institution confirmed the rock was a IIIAB-class iron meteorite with a roughly 12% nickel content. The object, measuring approximately 17x20x23 centimeters, was first evaluated by Sirbescu after Mazurek decided to have it examined in 2018, following media reports of another meteorite fall near Hamburg, Michigan.

Historical Origins from 1930s Michigan

The meteorite’s history dates back to the 1930s, when the previous owner and his father reportedly witnessed an object strike their property at night. The pair found the object in a crater the following morning, noting that it was still warm to the touch. The rock remained on the farm, serving as a functional doorstop, until it was transferred to Mazurek when he purchased the property in 1988. During its years on the farm, children occasionally took the stone to school to display it.

Support undergraduate research with the Edmore meteorite donation

Advanced chemical testing detected the presence of rare minerals such as taenite, kamacite, and schreibersit. Due to its specific elemental composition and iridium levels, the Edmore specimen was noted as unique compared to other documented meteorites in a study presented at the Conference on Moon and Planetary Sciences. This donation is earmarked to support undergraduate research projects.

Distinction from Other Geological Finds

The Edmore meteorite is distinct from other high-value geological discoveries. While the Edmore specimen is a metallic iron-nickel meteorite, another find includes a 3.5-kilogram piece of amber discovered in a Romanian creek bed. The amber, which was also used as a doorstop for years, dates back between 38.5 million and 70 million years and is now considered a national treasure in Romania, with an estimated value of approximately 1 million euros. The red and black amber, known locally as rumanite or chihlimbar, was ignored by thieves who had previously stolen jewelry from the home. Since 2022, it has been displayed at the Buzau County Museum.

Explain the scientific significance of the Edmore meteorite

What makes the Edmore meteorite scientifically significant?

It is classified as a IIIAB iron meteorite, which originated from the core of an asteroid located between Mars and Jupiter. Its nickel content and unique elemental composition, including iridium, provide researchers with insights into the early solar system.

How does the Edmore meteorite rank among other Michigan finds?

Following its official certification and inclusion in the Meteoritical Bulletin, the Edmore specimen is recorded as the sixth-largest meteorite documented in the state of Michigan.

Were there other items used as doorstops that turned out to be valuable?

Yes, a 3.5-kilogram piece of amber found in a Romanian village was used as a doorstop for decades before experts identified it as a rare, prehistoric fossilized resin worth roughly 1 million euros.