John Lennon's tooth bought by dentist for $30,500

When we think of Beatles memorabilia we'd like to own, a rotten tooth doesn't really rank, but for one fan (and dentist) John Lennon's badly decayed molar was worth $30,500 US.

Canadian dentist Michael Zuk bid on the tooth over the phone. Legend has it Lennon lost the tooth -- which is a gruesome yellow with brown spots and an obvious cavity -- and gave it to his housekeeper, because her daughter was a big fan.

"Once I heard it was up for sale I had to have it," Zuk -- who once wrote a book on celebrity teeth -- told the BBC. He plans to display it in his office. "Some people will think its gross, others will be fascinated by it."

The tooth was estimated to sell for only $15,000.