Petrified scallop

[Salty dog]

I’ve been around the scalloping industry for over 40 years and this is the only one I’ve seen . it has a flat side , a round side and the hinge area  So it is either sand that turned into a rock like a mold or it a petrified scallop ????? 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Yes, I think that's an internal mold or 'steinkern' where the sediment filled the shell and solidified and then the shell eroded or broke away to leave the mold.  

[Rockwood]

It's more likely a brachiopod though I think.

[Salty dog]

But When you hold it ( and you held a million of em before so you know the difference of the top shell or bottom etc )  , it feels too detailed to be Just a mold.the hinge part I don’t think would be sticking out if it were to be a mold ( if you stripped  out the insides of a scallop and made a mold yourself I don’t think the hinge would protrude out so much like this one does )    You can close your eyes and beside the weight it feels so real , but that’s why I posted on this page ,to here from the pros.     Thank you so much to anybody that responded to my post.  

Edited January 24, 2020 by Salty dog

[Salty dog]

I can’t argue with you tigdys  dad , I think your right   If that’s the case how old do you think that would be. Any guess?