What is this?

[rsilva02667]

this was found on a beach in MA. Any guesses to what it could be would be great!

 

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[DDancer]

Possibly a piece of anthracite coal. It should scratch fairly easy with a knife tip if it is. Anthracite, and other coals, were common fuel materials for old ships and are often found on beaches. A good specimen if that's what it turns up to be.

 

[gunsil]

I agree with DD, anthracite coal.

 

[rock]

Is it heavy or lite in weight?

 

[niffler]

Conchoidal fracturing? My guess is obsidian or black flint

 

[gunsil]

Conchoidal fracturing? My guess is obsidian or black flint

You won't find obsidian or black flint in MA beaches, no obsidian here on the east coast. Anthracite coal also has conchoidal fracturing and is a fairly common beach find here in the east. Like DD says, a simple hardness test with a knife will tell the tale.

 

[rsilva02667]

It does scratch with a knife. Must be coal. Still a cool find though I think, if it's from an old steam ship

 

[DDancer]

Nice way to think of it~ holding a piece of history.