Is This Ebay Monster Meg Tooth Real?

[Fossil Claw]

Do you think this monster sized tooth is real? Looks like it may have been polished. Does that ruin the tooth?

It looks to be near 7 inches which would be huge if it is real.

[mrieder79]

The root looks fabricated. It harder to tell about the enamel but that appears suspect as well. I am curious why such a shiny tooth lacks serrations. I suppose it could have been polished. Still. My best guess is fake or with a totally rebuilt root.

Edited July 20, 2015 by mrieder79

[Auspex]

I wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole; it has, in the least, been 'heavily manipulated'. Beyond that, I do not find it the least bit attractive.

[snolly50]

As with any piece, "in hand" is the only way to adequately evaluate. There may be other clues - How much is it? How does the seller describe it?

[Fossil Claw]

Current high bid is $42.

Described as unknown estate sale find.

[Fossil Claw]

It seemed off to me but I couldn't place why. It is fun learning from all of you.

The root looked wide compared to the seemingly norrow body of the tooth for the size of the tooth. The shinny surface looked too shinny and the lack off or limited serations are what seemed off to me.

Edited July 20, 2015 by Fossil Claw

[snolly50]

Current high bid is $42.

Described as unknown estate sale find.

Not a lot to go on, but a little relevant info. The bids (don't know how long it's been offered) are waaaaay low for a tooth of that size - infer that other bidders also smell a rat. "unknown estate sale," could be legit; but it could also be a clever seller trick to distance themselves from the piece should conflict (eBay dispute) arise (e.g. "The listing said the fossil was unknown to me.")

[Grimlock]

It looks completely fake to me. The root doesn't look right at all. A real tooth that size would go for thousands, so you know something is off. You know the old saying, " if something seems too good to be true, it is". Steer clear of this thing.

[fossilized6s]

Looks 100% fake to me.

[Foshunter]

A tooth of that size and the bids so low should be a message to stay away, I am sure you have looked at teeth much smaller at greater bids than this one. Not all fossils on Ebay are authentic so do your research and be careful. The gloss on the tooth and others listed by sellers, they use mineral oil to bring out the colors and enhance the tooth----Tom

[Rob Russell]

Looks like a five inch tooth with a heavy duty mustache.

[Fossil Claw]

Glad my gut was right and I stayed away from it.