Specimen Record TC-00003

Specimen Record
TC-00003

NWA 17708 · Howardite · 350.42 g

This page is the permanent record for the specimen bearing serial TC-00003. It is issued by Treasure Coast Meteorite Co. as a reference for present and future owners. The photographs below show this specific specimen and are the primary means of verifying it.

Identification

Serial
TC-00003
Meteorite
Northwest Africa 17708
Classification
Howardite
Petrologic type
HED achondrite, polymict fragmental breccia
Weight
350.42 g
Form
End cut
Find location
Mali
Surface
Single stone with 40 percent of the surface covered by black, shiny, well preserved fusion crust
Weathering grade
Low

Classification record

Published in
Meteoritical Bulletin, MB 114 (2026)
Classifier
J. Garcia, ADARA
Type specimen
20.23 g held at MUNA, with two thin sections at ADARA
Total known weight
1620.7 g in two pieces
Bulletin entry
Meteoritical Bulletin Database, Northwest Africa 17708

Provenance

Northwest Africa 17708 was found in November 2024 in Mali and purchased from a meteorite dealer in Mali. It was classified by J. Garcia at ADARA and published in the Meteoritical Bulletin, MB 114. The Meteoritical Bulletin records the main mass as held by Brian McDonald of Treasure Coast Meteorite Co., IMCA Member #3323, who submitted the material for classification. This 350.42 gram end cut was taken from that holding and offered as a classified specimen.

Photographic record

Cut face of the NWA 17708 howardite, 350.42g end cut, showing dark diogenitic and eucritic clasts in a pale cataclastic matrix, specimen record TC-00003
Cut face. Polymict breccia with diogenitic and eucritic clasts set in a fine grained matrix.
Fusion crusted exterior of the NWA 17708 howardite, 350.42g, shown with a titanium scale cube, specimen record TC-00003
Fusion crusted exterior with scale cube.
Side view of the NWA 17708 howardite end cut, 350.42g, showing crust and cut edge, specimen record TC-00003
Side view showing the crust and cut edge.
Reverse exterior of the NWA 17708 howardite end cut, 350.42g, specimen record TC-00003
Reverse exterior.
On verification. The serial number on the accompanying certificate card is an index to this record. The photographs above and the stated weight are what identify this specimen. Meteorite surfaces, clast patterns and cut faces are individual to each stone, so a specimen can be compared directly against these images and weighed against the figure recorded here to two decimal places.
Record issued by Treasure Coast Meteorite Co., IMCA Member #3323, Hobe Sound, Florida.
Issued 10 August 2026. Classification data reproduced from the Meteoritical Bulletin entry cited above.
Questions regarding this record may be directed to brian@tcmeteorites.com.

Let customers speak for us

from 28 reviews

Great experience with TCMeteorites! Brian is professional, quick to reply, and answers questions in detail. He helped me choose the most suitable shipping option for my country and clearly explained the specimen’s provenance. He took the time to share photos and additional information about the meteorites I was interested in. He also prepared an endcut of a rare meteorite according to my request. The specimen arrived safely and looks great.

The website is always great to browse, with useful sorting options that make it easy to find specimens and keep an eye on new arrivals, whether browsing by category or viewing all items at once. Highly recommended!

Arsenii

I love it! Better than I thought it would be! Will definitely buy again!

Christopher Clements

Amazing Service

Anonymous

I cannot say enough wonderful things about my experience with Treasure Coast! I purchased a lunar piece as a special gift, and their customer service went above and beyond to make it even more meaningful. After learning the story behind my gift (it was for my 1 year wedding anniversary), they surprised me by including the sweetest personalized card that said “Love you to the moon and back” with my name on it. It was such a thoughtful, unexpected touch and genuinely made the whole experience feel special. The lunar piece itself was wonderful, but the care and kindness they put into my order is what really stood out. This is the kind of customer service you remember. Highly recommend! 🌙❤️

Jinger Wolfe

I cannot say enough wonderful things about my experience with Treasure Coast! I purchased a lunar piece as a special gift, and their customer service went above and beyond to make it even more meaningful. After learning the story behind my gift (it was for my 1 year wedding anniversary), they surprised me by including the sweetest personalized card that said “Love you to the moon and back” with my name on it. It was such a thoughtful, unexpected touch and genuinely made the whole experience feel special. The lunar piece itself was wonderful, but the care and kindness they put into my order is what really stood out. This is the kind of customer service you remember. Highly recommend! 🌙❤️

Jinger Wolfe

A really rare chondrite. An H3 with very low weathering with lots, lots of metal.

Andreu del Campo
NWA 18205 H3 Ordinary Chondrite Meteorite End Cut, 196.64g, Teardrop with Reflective Metal

Super great communication with the seller. All documentation for customs was correct and everything went super fast and smooth. The chondrite is exactly like shown on the seller's web.

Andreu del Campo

this is Lavyansh Bhardwaj from Delhi Rohini sector 22 this is awesome to have collected the part of moon 🌙

Anonymous

A beautiful chondrite specimen, perfect for any collection. As always, Bryan is incredibly kind and helpful when answering questions or providing explanations about the specimen; he is also very pleasant to chat with, beyond the transaction itself. I highly recommend buying from him.

Anonymous
NWA XXX Ordinary Chondrite Meteorite Individual, unclassified, 820.15g, Flight Oriented with Contraction Cracks

Everything came as expected.

Andrew Salvador-MacAdam

Excellent and unique. This is a gift and I feel the couple will love it 😀

Andrew Salvador-MacAdam
Adrar 013 Lunar Meteorite Full Slice, Melt Breccia, 2.81g, Polished Both Faces

Highly recommend!!!

Matt Curtis

Received a Gyarub Zangbo and had a great experience. Brian was very responsive and guided me through the process. The piece is beautiful and will absolutely be a return customer!

Anonymous

An authentic piece of the moon for my small and humble meteorite collection. The piece is very accurately described with a COA attached. Highly recommended.

Gianluca Abieri
Bechar 003 Lunar Meteorite Slice, Feldspathic Breccia, 3.19g, Complete Full Slice

A truly positive experience; the products are authentic and truly interesting. Communication with the seller was excellent, and he was open to any questions or concerns about the items for sale. If you're looking to buy meteorites, he's the right seller. Highly recommended!

Gianluca Abieri