Lot 294

Mississippian 1200-1400 AD Trophy Bone Dagger

Estimate: $10,000 - $20,000

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $5
$50 $10
$100 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$2,000 $250
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$25,000 $2,500
$100,000 $5,000
The lot features a very unique and unusual item, a trophy bone dagger from the Mississippian Culture dating to circa 1200-1400 A.D. The bone comes with multiple certificates of authenticity from Bill Breckinridge of Lenard, Oklahoma of the Arkansas River N.E. Oklahoma Artifact Authentication, dating to circa 2006, which are notarized and signed. The certificates states this as being a Mississippian Culture, circa 1200 A.D. to 1400 A.D. bone tool or trophy dagger, stating it is likely recovered from a Missouri cave. It shows the correct patina and manufacture for its age. Also included with the lot is a typed letter, presumably from Bill Breckinridge, the expert who examined the piece. The letter states that the piece was found and acquired in the early 1990’s at an antique and junk shop in Dearborn, Missouri by an artifact collector from Kansas. It is said the proprietor of the shop bought the piece from an estate sale in Kansas City, Missouri and that it was purchased for the full asking price of $1.50. The piece was in the artifact collector’s possession for 13 years prior to Breckinridge examining the piece in 2006. He states that this is an authentic prehistoric, North American Mississippian Culture artifact. The piece was examined under 10x magnification and the age was very evident as being prehistoric. In construction, the dagger resembles bone tools of the Eastern Plains, referred to as beamers and awls. The dagger shows an incised line around the center, as well as rich coloring and patina from honest age and use. The piece previously won best of show at the Indian Artifact Show in Holton, Kansas on April 8, 2006, as noted in the certificate, and had previously been valued at over $50,000, as noted by the collector. At the joint, the piece also shows two pierced holes. This is truly one of the most unique and unusual early artifacts we have offered for sale with documentation and fine authentic age. Overall, the unusual piece measures 11.75” L by 1 7/8”W. All documents are pictured. If the pictures are not seen please visit our website directly NorthAmericanAuctionCompany.hibid.com to view all 21 images.