As the holiday season approaches, how about a truly out-of-this-world gift? An astonishing iron meteorite dating back an incredible 4.5 billion years has been unearthed in Canada and is set to go under the hammer at Lunds Auctioneers and Appraisers' prestigious Top Notch auction on December 10.

Discovered in the 1960s in the quaint setting of Ocean Falls, this meteorite represents a fragment from the early formation of our solar system, making it older than anything found on Earth today. Christopher Herd, a meteorite specialist and professor at the University of Alberta, emphasized its uniqueness, stating, "This meteorite formed from the primordial materials of our solar system."

With a hefty estimated selling price between $20,000 to $100,000, the interest in meteorites as collectible art pieces is surging. Lunds president Peter Boyle noted that more collectors are seeking these extraordinary items to showcase in their homes.

However, potential buyers should be aware: if you wish to remove this cosmic rock from Canada, an export permit is mandatory due to its classification as cultural property by the government. In some instances, buyers can donate part of the meteorite to a Canadian institution, allowing them to retain some of it for personal display.

Remarkably, this meteorite is not only the only iron meteorite discovered in British Columbia but also merely the fifth of any type ever found in the province. The rarity of the find is compounded by B.C.’s mountainous terrain, which makes meteorite discoveries exceedingly rare. Herd described the find as "incredibly fortunate," considering the small surface area of the area surrounding Ocean Falls.

While Alberta boasts the highest number of meteorites in Canada—owing to its wide-open ranching and farming land—Herd noted that many potential meteorite finds are often mistaken for regular rocks by eager treasure-hunters.

Scientific analysis confirmed that the Ocean Falls meteorite, weighing a staggering 19.23 kilograms (42 pounds), is primarily iron, with trace amounts of nickel and other elements. Such meteorites are typically remnants from metal-rich asteroids located in the belt between Mars and Jupiter. These space rocks can be dislodged during asteroid collisions, eventually finding their way into Earth's atmosphere as meteorites.

Interestingly, the age and rust present indicate that this cosmic traveler may have impacted Earth centuries or even thousands of years ago. Yet, it's plausible that this meteorite was once part of a larger chunk that broke off, with the rest possibly plunging into the ocean.

Don't miss out on the chance to own a piece of ancient cosmic history—mark your calendars for December 10 and prepare to bid on a piece of the universe!