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GREAT RAPIDS, MICH. –
After reading articles about pieces of meteorites selling for thousands of dollars, David Mazurek decided to learn about the big rock he had used for decades as booty.
It turns out that the 23-pound rock is full of iron and nickel and is worth about $ 100,000, researchers at Central Michigan University and the Smithsonian Museum said.
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"I could tell right away that it was something special," said Mona Sirbescu, professor of geology at CMU. "This is the most valuable specimen I have ever had in my life, financially and scientifically."
Sirbescu first identified it as being more than just a rock. She then sent two pieces to the Smithsonian for confirmation.
Mazurek confessed to having found the meteorite with a barn purchased in 1988. The farmer who sold him the property said that she had landed in the 1930s.
The Smithsonian and a Maine Mineral Museum are interested in acquiring it.
"I'm done using it as a door stop," Mazurek said. "Let's find a buyer!"
Associated Press contributed to this report.
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