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"Very few meteorites that have ever hit the Earth have had human encounters like this," said David Herskowitz, director of natural history at Heritage Auctions. "The smaller the target a meteorite hits, the more valuable it becomes."
Garza sold the meteorite to Nevada collector Adam Hupe for about $45,000. Hupe previously tried to sell the item for $80,000 in 2004, but it failed to sell.
"The market is better for meteorites now and the prices seem to keep going up and up," Herskowitz said. "This one is a real one-of-a-kind."
The auction, which begins May 17, also includes a pair of mammoth tusks, a saber-toothed tiger skull and rare gemstones.