MIDAS TOUCH Pyritized Eldredgeops Trilobite

Description: Here is a remarkable example of preservation: a totally pyritized Eldredgeops rana trilobite. Its rich golden color has led me to coin the term Midas Touch when referring to these specimens. This is a recent find, and one that I do not believe has ever been offered before. Pyrite is typically prone to the oxidative degradation termed “pyrite disease”. Examples of these have been subjected to forcing conditions with no ill effects. Nevertheless as a precaution they have been given a coating of an achival quality material which is employed in the conservation of ancient artifacts. While all found to date are somewhat small, they make up for lack of size in tremendous eye appeal. This one is preserved enrolled in right lateral view. What is most unusual about this one is the appendage sticking out from the space between the cephalon and the pygidium. Before now only the Beecher Bed and the recently discovered analogous layers of Triarthrus eatoni were the only site to show such preservation. To my knowledge examples with such preservation have not been offered before.