Megalodon Teeth: Identification, Authenticity & Value

Large fossil shark teeth whose value depends on exact position, size, enamel, serrations, root, bourlette, repair, and reliable provenance.

Identification checklist

Record the specimen as an object before accepting a taxonomic label. Look for the following features and photograph them with a scale:

• Broad triangular crown and fine serrations
• Bourlette between enamel and root
• Root breadth, symmetry, and jaw position

Preparation and authenticity risks

Preparation is not automatically deception. The critical issue is whether the work is visible, anatomically reasonable, stable, and disclosed.

• Built-up roots and restored tips
• Re-cut edges marketed as natural serrations
• Composite teeth or modern replicas

What tends to affect collector value

Value is comparative and can change substantially with small differences in completeness, preparation, provenance, or restoration.

• maximum slant height with honest method
• root and enamel completeness
• rare color tied to credible locality

Questions to ask a seller

1. What country, region, formation, or quarry produced the specimen?
2. Which portions are original fossil material, matrix, filler, adhesive, paint, or reconstruction?
3. What repairs, stabilization, polishing, acid preparation, or mechanical preparation were performed?
4. What dimensions are being measured, and is the scale included in photographs?
5. What documentation supports legal collection, ownership, and export?

Preservation priorities

Do not clean or consolidate until you understand the matrix and mineralogy. Photograph the specimen and all labels first. Store it with stable support, moderate conditions, and a collection record that preserves the seller, date, claimed locality, preparation disclosures, and original images.