In a remarkable sale that far exceeded expectations, an American buyer has acquired a monumental 240-kilogram iron meteorite of Namibian origin for a staggering sum of more than N$34 million (€1.7 million) at an auction conducted by Hessink’s Fine Art Auctioneers in Noordwijk, the Netherlands. With the inclusion of the auction house fees, the final total paid by the purchaser will exceed N$40 million (€2 million), nearly doubling the pre-sale estimates.
The extraordinary specimen, known for its striking metallic composition and historic significance, landed on Earth thousands of years ago, impacting near the village of Gibeon in Namibia. It was first discovered in the 19th century and represents one of the most significant celestial finds from the African continent. This particular meteorite holds the distinction of being the largest iron meteorite ever to be offered at auction in the Netherlands.
Prior to the sale, the meteorite had been a part of the collection at the Mercurius Observatory in Dordrecht since 2004. In the months leading up to the auction, it was publicly displayed at the Space Expo museum in Noordwijn, the very venue where the bidding took place. The observatory made the decision to part with this prized possession to secure essential funding for an ambitious new project.
According to the auctioneers, the event attracted significant international interest, with eighteen registered bidders, several of whom were from outside the Netherlands. Auctioneer Bradley Hessink expressed his surprise at the final hammer price, noting that the observatory had anticipated proceeds between N$16 million and N$20 million (€800,000 and €1 million). “Meteorites are very popular, and more and more people want to own one. That caused a higher price than expected,” Hessink stated, highlighting the growing demand for such rare cosmic artifacts.
The winning bidder was identified only as an American party, and their specific identity—whether a private collector or an institution—remains confidential. Hessink explained that privacy rules prevent the immediate disclosure of such information, noting that the client may choose to reveal themselves after the final settlement is complete.
The successful auction represents a transformative moment for the Dordrecht observatory. In an earlier interview, representatives explained that the difficult choice to sell the meteorite was driven by a greater mission. The proceeds, now vastly greater than hoped, will fully fund the construction of a new planetarium. “Thanks to this sale,” the observatory said, “we can build a place where children and visitors can experience the universe in a new way,” ensuring that the legacy of the Namibian meteorite will be educational inspiration for generations to come.