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Cypraea aurantium -Gmelin 1791 Golden Cowrie 3.5-4" 58-120mm Competetively rare $150-175 |
- Shell: Dorsum- deep magenta, inflated and heavy, base- cream. A large, ovate, heavy shell with a slightly convex base. Margin is conspicuosly developed at top and bottom, around upper and lower canals. Teeth on outer lip larger, longer, and farther apart than those on collumellar lip. Deep orange, with grayish-white margin; base white. Strong light turns shell a warm peach or golden color. Groove separates margin from side of whorl, canal very narrow, teeth appear orange against creamy white base.
- Animal: Mottled dark orange to brown, mantle- thick, many round tuberclelike papillae, foot- orange yellow.
- Region: Pacific, Phillipines to Tuamotu and New Caledonia to Marshall islands and Mariannas island chain.
- Habitat: 60 to 80 feet, in caves and deep crevices and holes, outer sides of reefs.
- Notes: Choice collector's item, often impersonated with a painted tiger cowrie, over 2,000 found. This a royal shell, and the badge of a Fiji Chieftan. Recent finds under 3".
Fake specimen (Cypraea mappa painted, from the Phillipines)
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