Offered is a very fine item for the specialist collector; from the Middle Devonian, Old red Sandstone of Orkney, Scotland is a complete 33cm (along axis) example of the Arthrodire Placoderm Coccosteus.

The genus Coccosteus ,Agazzis tended toward marine habitats, though this example is from lacustrine sediments. In Coccosteans the bony head and body shields were connected by a joint on each side allowing free head movement. They were predators and had bony jaws. Two tooth-plates were present on each side of the upper jaw, and one tooth-plate was present on each side of its lower jaw. The elements are well seen in this specimen.

The tail was probably not armoured in life and in this example it is particularly well preserved and complete.

Excellent price for such a splendid displayable and professionally prepared specimen.

(Weight > 4kg; please contact to arrange shipping worldwide: robertkennedy8254@gmail.com)

Matrix approx.14.5 X 10cm X 3.5cm

This shallow water species lacks the sharp cutting edges to the oral opening that typify other species from this locality, and it probably existed as a filter feeder rather than a predator. Headshields have been found suggesting that this species grew to a length exceeding two meters.