Cypraeidae are arguably the most popular and prized family in the shell collection due to their amazing glossy (deep enamel coat) and colourful shells. While alive, the mantel of the snail continuously covers the shells depositing a coat of enamel protecting the shell while giving it a glossy surface.

General shape of most cowries is the same, with a smooth globular shape and a slit with teeth as the aperture opening. In ancient times, some species of smaller cowries especially Monetaria moneta & Monetaria annulus were used as currency! Mostly herbivorous while some are specialized sponge feeders.

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Annepona mariae (Marie's cowrie)
3 products

Annepona mariae (Marie's cowrie)

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Arestorides argus argus (Eyed cowrie)
14 products

Arestorides argus argus (Eyed cowrie)

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Arestorides argus contrastriata (Contrasting argus)
8 products

Arestorides argus contrastriata (Contrasting argus)

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Austrasiatica hirasei (Hirase's Cowrie)
1 product

Austrasiatica hirasei (Hirase's Cowrie)

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Austrasiatica langfordi 
1 product

Austrasiatica langfordi 

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Austrasiatica sakuraii
1 product

Austrasiatica sakuraii

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Austrocypraea reevei (Reeve's Cowry)
1 product

Austrocypraea reevei (Reeve's Cowry)

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Austrocypraea reevei f. lorenzoi
1 product

Austrocypraea reevei f. lorenzoi

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Barycypraea fultoni amorimi (Amorim's Cowrie)
2 products

Barycypraea fultoni amorimi (Amorim's Cowrie)

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Barycypraea teulerei (Teulere's cowrie)
11 products

Barycypraea teulerei (Teulere's cowrie)

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Bistolida diauges diauges f. salaryensis
3 products

Bistolida diauges diauges f. salaryensis

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Bistolida erythraeensis (Red Sea Cowry)
1 product

Bistolida erythraeensis (Red Sea Cowry)

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Bistolida goodallii (Goodall's cowrie)
2 products

Bistolida goodallii (Goodall's cowrie)

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Bistolida kieneri kieneri (Kiener's cowrie)
2 products

Bistolida kieneri kieneri (Kiener's cowrie)

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Bistolida stolida (Stolid cowrie)
9 products

Bistolida stolida (Stolid cowrie)

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Bistolida stolida brianoi
1 product

Bistolida stolida brianoi

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Bistolida stolida crossei
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Bistolida stolida crossei

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Bistolida stolida rubiginosa (Rusty stolida)
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Bistolida stolida rubiginosa (Rusty stolida)

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Bistolida ursellus (Little bear cowry)
3 products

Bistolida ursellus (Little bear cowry)

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Bistolida vasta (Gross owenii)
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Bistolida vasta (Gross owenii)

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Callistocypraea aurantium (Golden cowrie)
7 products

Callistocypraea aurantium (Golden cowrie)

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Callistocypraea leucodon leucodon (White-toothed Cowrie)
2 products

Callistocypraea leucodon leucodon (White-toothed Cowrie)

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Callistocypraea nivosa (Cloudy cowrie)
6 products

Callistocypraea nivosa (Cloudy cowrie)

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Chelycypraea testudinaria (Tortoise shell cowrie)
8 products

Chelycypraea testudinaria (Tortoise shell cowrie)

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Contradusta walkeri walkeri (Walker's cowrie)
5 products

Contradusta walkeri walkeri (Walker's cowrie)

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Cribrarula catholicorum 
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Cribrarula catholicorum 

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Cribrarula cribraria (Sieve cowrie)
20 products

Cribrarula cribraria (Sieve cowrie)

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Cribrarula cribraria comma
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Cribrarula cribraria comma

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Cribrarula esontropia francescoi
27 products

Cribrarula esontropia francescoi

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Cribrarula gaskoini (Gaskoin's Cowrie)
2 products

Cribrarula gaskoini (Gaskoin's Cowrie)

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Cypraea pantherina (Panther cowrie)
4 products

Cypraea pantherina (Panther cowrie)

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Cypraea pantherina f. nigrovinosa
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Cypraea pantherina f. nigrovinosa

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Cypraea tigris (Tiger cowrie)
313 products

Cypraea tigris (Tiger cowrie)

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Cypraea tigris schilderiana (Schildera's Tiger Cowrie)
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Cypraea tigris schilderiana (Schildera's Tiger Cowrie)

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Cypraeovula algoensis permarginata
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Cypraeovula algoensis permarginata

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Cypraeovula capensis capensis (Cape cowrie)
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Cypraeovula capensis capensis (Cape cowrie)

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Cypraeovula edentula (Toothless cowrie)
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Cypraeovula edentula (Toothless cowrie)

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Cypraeovula fuscorubra (Reddish brown cowrie)
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Cypraeovula fuscorubra (Reddish brown cowrie)

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Cypraeovula fuscodentata sphaerica
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Cypraeovula fuscodentata sphaerica

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Cypraeovula iutsui atlantica (Iu-Tsu's cowrie)
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Cypraeovula iutsui atlantica (Iu-Tsu's cowrie)

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Cypraeovula mikeharti (Mike Hart's Cowrie)
1 product

Cypraeovula mikeharti (Mike Hart's Cowrie)

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Eclogavena coxeni coxeni (Cox's cowrie)
1 product

Eclogavena coxeni coxeni (Cox's cowrie)

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Eclogavena dayritiana 
1 product

Eclogavena dayritiana 

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Eclogavena dayritiana f. dani
9 products

Eclogavena dayritiana f. dani

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Erosaria labrolineata f. melanica 
1 product

Erosaria labrolineata f. melanica 

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Erronea caurica caurica (Thick Edged Cowry)
7 products

Erronea caurica caurica (Thick Edged Cowry)

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Erronea caurica dracaena (Dragon Caurica Cowrie)
3 products

Erronea caurica dracaena (Dragon Caurica Cowrie)

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Erronea caurica elongata (Elongate caurica)
10 products

Erronea caurica elongata (Elongate caurica)

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Erronea caurica masirensis
1 product

Erronea caurica masirensis

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Erronea cylindrica cylindrica (Cylindrical cowrie)
5 products

Erronea cylindrica cylindrica (Cylindrical cowrie)

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Erronea errones
1 product

Erronea errones

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Erronea onyx (Onyx cowrie)
1 product

Erronea onyx (Onyx cowrie)

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Erronea ovum (Egg cowrie)
1 product

Erronea ovum (Egg cowrie)

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Erronea ovum f. chrysostoma (Golden-mouth cowrie)
1 product

Erronea ovum f. chrysostoma (Golden-mouth cowrie)

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Erronea pyriformis (Pear-shaped cowrie)
8 products

Erronea pyriformis (Pear-shaped cowrie)

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Erronea subviridis dorsalis (Dorsal-blotch subviridis)
1 product

Erronea subviridis dorsalis (Dorsal-blotch subviridis)

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Erronea subviridis subviridis (Greenish cowrie)
5 products

Erronea subviridis subviridis (Greenish cowrie)

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Erronea succincta adusta (Chocolate beauty)
3 products

Erronea succincta adusta (Chocolate beauty)

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Erronea succincta succincta
2 products

Erronea succincta succincta

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Erronea xanthodon (Yellow-toothed cowrie)
2 products

Erronea xanthodon (Yellow-toothed cowrie)

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Erronea vredenburgi (Vredenburg's cowrie)
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Erronea vredenburgi (Vredenburg's cowrie)

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Ficadusta pulchella pericalles
7 products

Ficadusta pulchella pericalles

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Ficadusta pulchella pulchella 
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Ficadusta pulchella pulchella 

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Leporicypraea geographica
6 products

Leporicypraea geographica

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Leporicypraea mappa mappa (Map cowrie)
35 products

Leporicypraea mappa mappa (Map cowrie)

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Leporicypraea rosea ultraviola
12 products

Leporicypraea rosea ultraviola

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Leporicypraea valentia (Prince cowrie)
2 products

Leporicypraea valentia (Prince cowrie)

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Luria cinerea brasilensis (Brazilian atlantic gray cowrie)
1 product

Luria cinerea brasilensis (Brazilian atlantic gray cowrie)

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Luria cinerea cinerea (Atlantic Grey cowrie)
1 product

Luria cinerea cinerea (Atlantic Grey cowrie)

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Luria isabella (Isabel's cowrie)
7 products

Luria isabella (Isabel's cowrie)

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Luria lurida lurida (Lurid/fallow cowrie)
2 products

Luria lurida lurida (Lurid/fallow cowrie)

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Luria lurida pulchroides (Pulchra-like lurida)
4 products

Luria lurida pulchroides (Pulchra-like lurida)

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Luria pulchra pulchra (Lovely Cowrie)
3 products

Luria pulchra pulchra (Lovely Cowrie)

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Luria tessellata (Checkerboard Cowrie)
3 products

Luria tessellata (Checkerboard Cowrie)

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Lyncina camelopardalis (Camel cowrie)
7 products

Lyncina camelopardalis (Camel cowrie)

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Lyncina carneola (Carnelian cowrie)
4 products

Lyncina carneola (Carnelian cowrie)

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Lyncina carneola leviathan
1 product

Lyncina carneola leviathan

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Lyncina kuroharai (Kurohara's cowrie)
1 product

Lyncina kuroharai (Kurohara's cowrie)

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Lyncina leviathan titan (Titanic leviathan)
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Lyncina leviathan titan (Titanic leviathan)

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Lyncina lynx (Lynx cowrie)
31 products

Lyncina lynx (Lynx cowrie)

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Lyncina schilderorum (Schilder's Cowry)
1 product

Lyncina schilderorum (Schilder's Cowry)

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Lyncina sulcidentata (Groove-toothed cowrie)
2 products

Lyncina sulcidentata (Groove-toothed cowrie)

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Lyncina ventriculus (Ventral cowrie)
3 products

Lyncina ventriculus (Ventral cowrie)

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Lyncina vitellus (Pacific deer cowrie)
17 products

Lyncina vitellus (Pacific deer cowrie)

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Lyncina vitellus f. polynesiae
2 products

Lyncina vitellus f. polynesiae

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Macrocypraea cervinetta (Little deer cowrie)
5 products

Macrocypraea cervinetta (Little deer cowrie)

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Macrocypraea cervus (Atlantic deer cowrie)
11 products

Macrocypraea cervus (Atlantic deer cowrie)

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Mauritia arabica arabica (Arabian cowrie)
5 products

Mauritia arabica arabica (Arabian cowrie)

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Mauritia arabica arabica f. amethystea
1 product

Mauritia arabica arabica f. amethystea

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Mauritia arabica asiatica (Asia's Arabian Cowrie)
6 products

Mauritia arabica asiatica (Asia's Arabian Cowrie)

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Mauritia arabica asiatica f. gibba
1 product

Mauritia arabica asiatica f. gibba

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Mauritia arabica immanis (Gigantic arabian cowrie)
5 products

Mauritia arabica immanis (Gigantic arabian cowrie)

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Mauritia depressa (Depressed cowrie)
2 products

Mauritia depressa (Depressed cowrie)

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Mauritia eglantina (Eglantine Cowrie)
6 products

Mauritia eglantina (Eglantine Cowrie)

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Mauritia grayana 
3 products

Mauritia grayana 

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Mauritia histrio (Harlequin cowrie)
13 products

Mauritia histrio (Harlequin cowrie)

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Mauritia histrio westralis
1 product

Mauritia histrio westralis

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Mauritia maculifera hawaiiensis
1 product

Mauritia maculifera hawaiiensis

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Mauritia maculifera maculifera (Reticulated cowrie)
5 products

Mauritia maculifera maculifera (Reticulated cowrie)

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Mauritia maculifera martybealsi
1 product

Mauritia maculifera martybealsi

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Mauritia mauritiana (Chocolate cowrie)
50 products

Mauritia mauritiana (Chocolate cowrie)

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Mauritia scurra indica (Indian Jester Cowrie)
6 products

Mauritia scurra indica (Indian Jester Cowrie)

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Melicerona felina felina (Kitten cowrie)
8 products

Melicerona felina felina (Kitten cowrie)

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Melicerona listeri listeri 
1 product

Melicerona listeri listeri 

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Melicerona listeri melvilli (Melvill's Cowrie)
1 product

Melicerona listeri melvilli (Melvill's Cowrie)

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Monetaria annulus (Ring cowrie)
18 products

Monetaria annulus (Ring cowrie)

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Monetaria annulus f. circumpicta
2 products

Monetaria annulus f. circumpicta

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Monetaria caputdraconis (Dragon's-head cowrie)
4 products

Monetaria caputdraconis (Dragon's-head cowrie)

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Monetaria caputserpentis (Snakehead cowrie)
13 products

Monetaria caputserpentis (Snakehead cowrie)

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Monetaria moneta (money cowrie)
10 products

Monetaria moneta (money cowrie)

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Monetaria obvelata (Walled cowrie)
2 products

Monetaria obvelata (Walled cowrie)

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Muracypraea mus bicornis (Horned mouse cowrie)
1 product

Muracypraea mus bicornis (Horned mouse cowrie)

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Muracypraea mus mus (Mouse cowrie)
2 products

Muracypraea mus mus (Mouse cowrie)

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Naria acicularis (Atlantic yellow cowrie)
3 products

Naria acicularis (Atlantic yellow cowrie)

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Naria albuginosa (Purple-based cowrie)
1 product

Naria albuginosa (Purple-based cowrie)

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Naria boivinii (Boivin's Cowrie)
12 products

Naria boivinii (Boivin's Cowrie)

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Naria citrina dauphinensis
9 products

Naria citrina dauphinensis

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Naria eburnea (Ivory cowrie)
1 product

Naria eburnea (Ivory cowrie)

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Naria englerti (Fr. Englert's cowry)
1 product

Naria englerti (Fr. Englert's cowry)

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Naria erosa (Eroded cowrie)
5 products

Naria erosa (Eroded cowrie)

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Naria erosa chlorizans (Broad Eroded Cowrie)
1 product

Naria erosa chlorizans (Broad Eroded Cowrie)

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Naria gangranosa (Gangrenous cowrie)
3 products

Naria gangranosa (Gangrenous cowrie)

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Naria gangranosa f. reentsii
4 products

Naria gangranosa f. reentsii

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Naria helvola (Honey cowrie)
10 products

Naria helvola (Honey cowrie)

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Naria helvola f. citrinicolor
2 products

Naria helvola f. citrinicolor

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Naria lamarckii (Lamarck's cowrie)
33 products

Naria lamarckii (Lamarck's cowrie)

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Naria lamarckii redimita
5 products

Naria lamarckii redimita

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Naria lamarckii redimita f. phuketensis
5 products

Naria lamarckii redimita f. phuketensis

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Naria miliaris (Military cowrie)
8 products

Naria miliaris (Military cowrie)

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Naria nebrites (false margined cowry)
1 product

Naria nebrites (false margined cowry)

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Naria ocellata (Ocellate cowrie)
8 products

Naria ocellata (Ocellate cowrie)

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Naria poraria (Purple-based cowrie)
1 product

Naria poraria (Purple-based cowrie)

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Naria spurca verdensium
3 products

Naria spurca verdensium

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Naria turdus (Thrush cowrie)
2 products

Naria turdus (Thrush cowrie)

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Naria turdus f. pardalina
1 product

Naria turdus f. pardalina

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Naria turdus f. winckworthi
4 products

Naria turdus f. winckworthi

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Neobernaya spadicea (chestnut cowrie)
2 products

Neobernaya spadicea (chestnut cowrie)

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Notadusta hungerfordi hungerfordi (Hungerford's cowrie)
13 products

Notadusta hungerfordi hungerfordi (Hungerford's cowrie)

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Notocypraea angustata (Verco's Toothed Cowrie)
3 products

Notocypraea angustata (Verco's Toothed Cowrie)

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Notocypraea comptonii (Compton's cowrie)
6 products

Notocypraea comptonii (Compton's cowrie)

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Notocypraea comptonii f. casta 
2 products

Notocypraea comptonii f. casta 

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Notocypraea comptonii f. mayi 
1 product

Notocypraea comptonii f. mayi 

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Notocypraea piperita (peppered cowrie)
5 products

Notocypraea piperita (peppered cowrie)

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Nucleolaria granulata (Granulated cowrie)
3 products

Nucleolaria granulata (Granulated cowrie)

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Nucleolaria nucleus nucleus (Wrinkled cowrie)
2 products

Nucleolaria nucleus nucleus (Wrinkled cowrie)

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Ovatipsa chinensis chinensis (Chinese cowrie)
7 products

Ovatipsa chinensis chinensis (Chinese cowrie)

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Ovatipsa chinensis variolaria (Measled Chinensis)
3 products

Ovatipsa chinensis variolaria (Measled Chinensis)

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Ovatipsa chinensis variolaria f. violacea (Violet chinensis)
5 products

Ovatipsa chinensis variolaria f. violacea (Violet chinensis)

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Ovatipsa coloba f. greegori (Geergori's Coloba Cowrie)
1 product

Ovatipsa coloba f. greegori (Geergori's Coloba Cowrie)

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Palmadusta androyensis androyensis
4 products

Palmadusta androyensis androyensis

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Palmadusta asellus (Little donkey cowrie)
3 products

Palmadusta asellus (Little donkey cowrie)

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Palmadusta clandestina clandestina (Clandestine cowrie)
3 products

Palmadusta clandestina clandestina (Clandestine cowrie)

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Palmadusta contaminata
1 product

Palmadusta contaminata

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Palmadusta diluculum (Day-break cowrie)
18 products

Palmadusta diluculum (Day-break cowrie)

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Palmadusta diluculum virginalis (Unblemished diluculum)
4 products

Palmadusta diluculum virginalis (Unblemished diluculum)

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Palmadusta lentiginosa lentiginosa (Freckled cowrie)
5 products

Palmadusta lentiginosa lentiginosa (Freckled cowrie)

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Palmadusta lutea lutea (Yellow cowrie)
4 products

Palmadusta lutea lutea (Yellow cowrie)

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Palmadusta saulae (Saul's Cowrie)
14 products

Palmadusta saulae (Saul's Cowrie)

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Palmadusta ziczac ziczac (Zigzag cowrie)
1 product

Palmadusta ziczac ziczac (Zigzag cowrie)

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Perisserosa guttata guttata (Great spotted cowrie)
8 products

Perisserosa guttata guttata (Great spotted cowrie)

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Perisserosa guttata f. azumai
1 product

Perisserosa guttata f. azumai

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Perisserosa guttata surinensis (Thai Spotted Cowrie)
5 products

Perisserosa guttata surinensis (Thai Spotted Cowrie)

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Pseudozonaria annettae (Annette's Cowrie)
2 products

Pseudozonaria annettae (Annette's Cowrie)

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Pseudozonaria arabicula (Little Arabian cowrie)
1 product

Pseudozonaria arabicula (Little Arabian cowrie)

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Pseudozonaria robertsi 
1 product

Pseudozonaria robertsi 

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Purpuradusta fimbriata fimbriata (Fringed cowrie)
1 product

Purpuradusta fimbriata fimbriata (Fringed cowrie)

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Purpuradusta hammondae raysummersi 
2 products

Purpuradusta hammondae raysummersi 

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Purpuradusta microdon 
1 product

Purpuradusta microdon 

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Pustularia bistrinotata (Twice-Triple-Spotted cowrie)
7 products

Pustularia bistrinotata (Twice-Triple-Spotted cowrie)

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Pustularia cicercula (Chick-pea cowrie)
2 products

Pustularia cicercula (Chick-pea cowrie)

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Pustularia globulus sphaeridium 
1 product

Pustularia globulus sphaeridium 

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Ransoniella martini (Martin's cowry)
1 product

Ransoniella martini (Martin's cowry)

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Ransoniella punctata (Brown-spotted cowrie)
3 products

Ransoniella punctata (Brown-spotted cowrie)

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Raybaudia porteri porteri 
1 product

Raybaudia porteri porteri 

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Schilderia achatidea inopinata
6 products

Schilderia achatidea inopinata

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Staphylaea limacina (slug-like cowry)
2 products

Staphylaea limacina (slug-like cowry)

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Staphylaea semiplota 
1 product

Staphylaea semiplota 

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Staphylaea staphylaea (stippled cowry)
3 products

Staphylaea staphylaea (stippled cowry)

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Talparia exusta (Burnt cowry)
1 product

Talparia exusta (Burnt cowry)

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Talparia talpa (Mole cowrie)
16 products

Talparia talpa (Mole cowrie)

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Talostolida teres teres (Tapering Cowry)
5 products

Talostolida teres teres (Tapering Cowry)

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Trona stercoraria (Rat cowrie)
28 products

Trona stercoraria (Rat cowrie)

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Trona stercoraria f. cameroonica
13 products

Trona stercoraria f. cameroonica

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Umbilia armeniaca armeniaca (Apricot-coloured Cowrie)
3 products

Umbilia armeniaca armeniaca (Apricot-coloured Cowrie)

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Umbilia armeniaca westralica
1 product

Umbilia armeniaca westralica

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Umbilia capricornica
1 product

Umbilia capricornica

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Umbilia hesitata (Wonder cowrie)
6 products

Umbilia hesitata (Wonder cowrie)

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Umbilia hesitata beddomei 
1 product

Umbilia hesitata beddomei 

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Zonaria angelicae
1 product

Zonaria angelicae

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Zonaria pyrum pyrum (Pear cowrie)
6 products

Zonaria pyrum pyrum (Pear cowrie)

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Zonaria picta (Ornate cowrie)
4 products

Zonaria picta (Ornate cowrie)

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Zonaria zonaria (Zoned cowrie)
9 products

Zonaria zonaria (Zoned cowrie)

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Zonaria zonaria gambiensis
8 products

Zonaria zonaria gambiensis

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