Palaeocarcharodon orientalis is arguably the most sought after Paleogene shark tooth in eastern North America. The striking similarity of these teeth, with those of the extant Great white undoubtedly feeds this collecting priority. Compared with Otodus (and most other sharks), this species’ distribution is very limited in both time and space. This genus also serves as a flash-point in the Great white evolution debate. One viewpoint, as argued by Bob Purdy (1996), traces the lineage Palaeocarcharodon – Carcharodon auriculatus – Carcharodon megalodon – Carcharodon carcharias. The alternate scenario contends that Otodus evolved from Cretalamna, and terminated with Carcharocles megalodon (the modern Great white having nothing to do with either Palaeocarcharodon or C. megalodon). In addition to rarity and importance, these teeth have another important feature — they are aesthetically very pleasing, and hence, very popular among fossil collectors.