Is It Legal To Own a Dinosaur Fossil?
Amateur paleontology is a fun hobby that anyone can start, but many collectors may wonder if it is legal to own a dinosaur bone. Most dinosaur fossils are completely legal to own and collect, however, it is important to purchase from a source that has proper authentication practices. Purchasing from a verified seller is the best way to ensure your item is real and legally sourced.
The important steps to check are these:
- Find out if the fossil was on private or public land. Private land fossils are generally perfectly legal and normal to collect
- Is the fossil being exported? Make sure it is compliant with any regional laws.
- Make sure the fossil includes documentation with a statement of authenticity.
The dinosaur fossils available from Mini Museum are only sourced from thoroughly vetted vendors and are guaranteed to be authentic and legal. For our international customers, we ensure all documentation is in order before shipping, so you don't need to do any extra work. Read more about authenticity here.
There are many different kinds of dinosaur fossils available for sale at Mini Museum! If you’re just starting out your collection, check out our list of the best dinosaur fossils for beginners! We have teeth, bones, insects in amber, ammonites, petrified trees, you name it! For the collector who has everything, we also have larger fossils, such as complete vertebrae, the Mini Museum Dino collection, and more!
Interested in starting your collection? Visit our dinosaurs page here!
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Is “Paul is Dead” Dead?: Unpacking One Of Pop Culture’s Most Enduring Conspiracy Theories
Scientists Discover Hooves and Skin in Preserved Dinosaur "Mummies!"
A dinosaur discovery just in time for Halloween! In a new analysis of a group of fossils from Wyoming, Scientists have determined this group of fossils are dinosaur “mummies,” with preserved skin and even hooves.
Scientists Record a Bat Catching Birds Mid-Flight!
Bats, birds, screeches, oh my! In a reverse-Hitchcock twist, a new study reveals that a species of European bat catches and eats birds mid-flight.
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Long Form Articles
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Can I Lick It? Yes You Can!
Have you ever been unable to tell if a fossil was really a fossil, but you were too embarrassed to admit it? Have you ever wanted to lick a fossil just because, but you didn’t want to risk judgment from your peers? Well, good news! You can kill two birds with one stone! Licking a fossil can actually help you determine if it’s the real deal or just another rock.
Is It Legal To Own a Meteorite?
Meteorites are some of the rarest geological specimens to be found on Earth. Of course, since these items come from outer space, purchasing them might seem like a confusing process, but fortunately it's actually pretty simple: It is absolutely legal to own a meteorite.
As long as you are purchasing from a reliable source that verifies the authenticity of the meteorites, buying a meteorite is like buying any other collectible.
The meteorite collectibles at Mini Museum are all sourced from thoroughly vetted vendors and are guaranteed to be authentic. Read more about authenticity here.
