Best fossil I've found in a while

[Twitch]

It's just a lowly and common clam fossil but I really like it. Was found around the St Louis area while I was hunting for indian artifacts. It's a top 2 clam fossil for me because it's basically fully removed from the matrix around it, it's also completely silicified (if that's a word?), it's completeness and because of it's size. It's 3-1/2" across and came out of a Burlington chert deposit.

Any additional information on type, age, etc. is appreciated.

Thanks for looking.

 

[badkharma]

Very nice find

 

[NJearthman]

Brachiopod, Burlington Formation. laid down during the Mississippian Period (325-360 million years ago).

Perhaps; https://www.lakeneosho.org/Miss45a.html

 

[Red-Coat]

Neat fossil. Yes, it's a spiriferid brachiopod, although not the species linked above, and will be Mississippian. Unlike bivalve molluscs such as clams which are hinged at the side for left/right opening, brachiopods are hinged at rear end for top/bottom opening.

 

[old digger]

That is a beautiful specimen!

 

[Planko]

Wow! Very nice. Congrats

 

[Twitch]

Thanks everyone. Like I said, a common type but for me an uncommonly nice specimen.

 

[dognose]

very nice. Good shape. Color is exceptional. Most I find are all grey, no color.

 

[seanz]

Nice piece.

 

[Mr.Waffles]

Beautiful!