Rare Temple Bar Carbonaceous Meteorite (1.8 Grams) – Official Arizona CR Chondrite | Southwest Meteorite Laboratory Provenance

Own one of Arizona's rarest officially recognized meteorites. This authentic 1.8-gram Temple Bar meteorite represents material from a meteorite with a total known recovered mass of only 106 grams, making it one of the scarcest Arizona meteorites available to collectors.

Discovered in the autumn of 1998 near Temple Bar in Mohave County, Arizona, the meteorite was recovered by a prospector approximately seven miles south of Temple Bar. It was later studied and classified by Marvin Killgore of the Southwest Meteorite Laboratory as a CR Carbonaceous Chondrite, one of the rarest and most scientifically significant meteorite groups.

Unlike ordinary chondrites, CR carbonaceous chondrites are prized for their abundant, well-defined chondrules, primitive mineralogy, and exceptional scientific importance. Temple Bar displays the distinctive characteristics of this rare class, making even small specimens highly desirable among advanced collectors.

This specimen is accompanied by outstanding provenance directly linking it to the Southwest Meteorite Laboratory (SWML) and the Killgore Collection, providing an exceptional chain of ownership from one of Arizona's most respected meteorite institutions.

Specimen Details

• Meteorite: Temple Bar
• Classification: Carbonaceous Chondrite (CR)
• Official Status: Meteoritical Bulletin Approved
• Weight: 1.8 grams
• Specimen Type: Individual
• Location Found: Near Temple Bar, Mohave County, Arizona, USA
• Year Found: 1998
• Known Recovered Mass: 106 grams
• Weathering Grade: W5

Provenance

• Southwest Meteorite Laboratory (SWML)
• Marvin & Kitty Killgore Collection

This documented provenance substantially enhances the specimen's historical significance and collector appeal.

A Premier Arizona Rarity

With a total recovered mass of only 106 grams, Temple Bar is among the rarest officially recognized meteorites ever discovered in Arizona. Very few specimens have entered private collections, making authenticated examples with documented provenance exceptionally difficult to acquire.

Whether displayed as the centerpiece of an Arizona meteorite collection or as an example of the rare CR carbonaceous chondrite class, this Temple Bar specimen represents an extraordinary opportunity to own a genuine piece of Arizona's meteoritic heritage.