by Kieron » Wed Jan 27, 2016 8:11 pm
I see what you are getting at, but it would be impossible to number every fragment from a fall, unless it was collected and catalogued under the strictest conditions. I think there have been attempts in recent years to catalogue US falls in that way, but you can guarantee that most people wouldn't be interested in declaring their finds.
Also, once in the hands of a dealer there is no way of knowing how many times a specimen would be 'sliced and diced' (or smashed with a hammer). Even museums have been prepared to let go specimens (or parts thereof), usually in trade for new specimens.
I think if you see a meteorite with a number on it, that will be an individual collector's acquisition number.
Regards, Kieron