Martian Meteorite Breaks Record with $5.3 Million Auction Sale

A rare 54-pound Martian meteorite, named NWA 16788, sold for a record-breaking $5.3 million at an auction held on July 17, 2025. The sale, conducted by a leading international auction house, attracted intense global attention and sparked a 15-minute bidding war between online and phone bidders.

NWA 16788 is now officially the most expensive meteorite ever sold. Scientists confirmed that it is the largest known Martian rock fragment found on Earth. It weighs 24.5 kilograms and displays a reddish hue, much like the Martian surface. Its fusion crust shows the violent descent it made through Earth’s atmosphere.

This extraordinary meteorite was discovered in November 2023 by a local meteorite hunter in Niger’s remote Agadez region of the Sahara Desert. Upon reaching a scientific lab, tests confirmed its Martian origin and revealed its massive size, surpassing any other known specimen.

According to experts, the meteorite’s journey began about 5 million years ago. A powerful asteroid or comet impact on Mars blasted rocks into space. NWA 16788 traveled 140 million miles before finally landing on Earth. Remarkably, it survived the harsh entry into Earth’s atmosphere and landed in a place where it could be found.

“This is a true cosmic miracle,” said a senior science specialist from the auction house. “The fact that it survived and ended up in a discoverable location is astonishing.”

There are about 400 officially recognized Martian meteorites on Earth. However, none match the size or condition of NWA 16788. Its sheer size and preservation have fascinated collectors and researchers worldwide.

Due to its rarity and perfect preservation, experts believe this meteorite holds immense scientific value. It offers insights into Mars’ geological history and the impact events that shaped its surface.

The auction reflects a growing global interest in space-related collectibles. With the rise of private space missions and Mars exploration programs, such artifacts have surged in demand.

In the world of space treasures, NWA 16788 now holds a prestigious place. Its discovery and record-breaking sale mark a historic milestone in space science and meteorite collection.

The meteorite remains a powerful symbol of interplanetary history, one forged in Mars’ fiery past and delivered to Earth’s deserts through the vastness of space.