Shells of this cowry were commonly used as a medium of exchange in many areas of Africa, Asia and the Pacific islands until the late 19th century.
The Maldives provided the main source of cowrie shells, throughout Asia and parts of the East African coast. Huge amounts of Maldivian cowries were introduced into Africa by slave traders.
It was also traded to Native Americans by European settlers.
I'm dubious about putting them into the catalogue, they're not coins. Sure they were used as currency, but so were salt and cocoa beans. How can you prove that a particular shell was used as currency and it's not just a shell that someone drilled a hole in?
Quote: "neilithicman"I'm dubious about putting them into the catalogue, they're not coins. Sure they were used as currency, but so were salt and cocoa beans. How can you prove that a particular shell was used as currency and it's not just a shell that someone drilled a hole in?
These ones were definitely not the ones used in ancient china but I don't know about other areas.
The ones from China in real shell have the back removed, not only a hole.
For cowrie shell, I agree, it's too dubious to be in the catalog. But I'd feel okay with the stone, bone and bronze cowries imitation.
