Man makes shocking discovery about 30-year-old doorstop
A man has discovered a rock he’s been using as a doorstop for 30 years is actually worth more than A$140,000.
The man, who hasn’t been named, bought a farm in Michigan in 1988 and on purchasing it noticed a large rock holding the door open, according to an article published by Central Michigan University.
He asked the then-homeowner about it who told him it was a meteorite which the farmer had discovered on the property in the 1930s. He added the man buying the property could have it.
The buyer ended up leaving the property eventually but took the 10-kilogram rock with him.
In January decided to check out the value of the doorstop.
He took the rock to Mona Siberscu at Central Michigan University’s College of Science and Engineering. She examined it and determined the meteorite was 88 per cent iron and 12 per cent nickel.
“It’s the most valuable specimen I have ever held in my life, monetarily and scientifically,” she said.
Ms Siberscu still wanted a second opinion and sent off a slice of the rock to the Smithsonian Institution.
It’s now considering paying about $140,000 for the meteorite. A mineral museum is also looking at buying the rock.
The meteorite’s owner said he will donate 10 per cent of the sale amount to the university.
