DALLAS, TX.- Over two days, nearly 500 bidders purchased some of the world’s most significant fossils and mineral specimens including important pieces from the incredible Lewis Goodman Collection during Heritage Auctions’ Nature and Science Signature Auction April 29-30. Bids from the auction floor, over the internet and via HALive!, claimed nearly 250 lots for $622,626, with spirited bidding for a number of rare pieces driving prices well above pre-auction estimates.

A high quality and collectible specimen of Crystalline Gold on Quartz, from the famous American locality for Gold – the 16 to 1 Mine, realized $35,000. It exhibited a unique shape, weighing 356 grams and containing 10.1 troy ounces of gold. Two specimens of Australian gold from Bendigo, including one dubbed the “Big One,” a Gold Nugget realized $32,500. At a robust 554 grams, it has a tested gold content of 17.84 troy ounces with both faces featuring an appealing appearance allowing for two-sided display. Another Gold Nugget which garnered $21,250, exhibited a unique "U" shape with two flanges, weighing an impressive 371 grams and has been tested for 11.93 troy ounces of gold content. Both of these nuggets were desirable for the bidders and will surely brighten their new owners’ collections.

The leading specimen from the Lewis Goodman Collection of Petrified Wood was a superlative Rhodochrosite "Inca Rose" Slab from Argentina which sold for $23,750. Goodman’s expansive collection was sought after and multiple bidders who drove interest for a number of other pieces including a massive Petrified Conifer Slab from Russia, which hammered for $7,812.50; an extremely rare and valuable set of eight Petrified Wood Slices, realized $7,500; another spectacular specimen from Russia a Petrified Conifer Slab sold for $6,250 , and a monster, Petrified Conifer Log, with a colorful contour end sold for $6,000.

A rare book set by Romeyn Hough with volumes on several now endangered and extinct tree species and remains one of the most comprehensive records on the subject. This rare and indispensable educational tool is increasingly hard to find in its entirety which is why Hough's American Woods Group of 17 Books, sold for $21,250.

Two unique fossils also were in high demand as a Fossil Fish Mural Trio, a “triptych” of fossil fish murals presented a unique combination of art and fossil from the Green River Formation hammered for $21,250. The multi-colored, mottled and thinly layered matrix rock featured ten individual fossil fish in abstract motion. A truly incredible Woolly Mammoth Tusk from Alaska sold for $12,500 for two reasons: It had essentially no restoration, which is most unusual for this variety of fossil, and its eye appeal exhibited a glorious bluish-green color due to an abundance of the mineral Vivianite which was predominant in the fossilization process.

Additional specimens of interest include but are not limited to:

• Blue Calcite Bowl, Andes Mountains, Argentina: sold for $12,500

• Crystallized Gold on Quartz, 16 to 1 Mine (Original Sixteen to One Mine): sold for $11,875

• Gemstone: Blue Zircon - 20.49 Cts., Cambodia: sold for $9,375

• Muonioanlusta Meteorite Three-Dimensional Cube: sold for $7,500

• Gibeon Meteorite, Great Nama Land, Namibia - (25° 30'S, 18° 0'E): sold for $6,250