Shell Cowrie ring top cowrie around 3/4" shells 1/2 pound -around 160 shells

Cowrie Shells - Ring Top Cowrie (Monetaria annulus) These lovely cowrie shells  are found in parts of Asia, Africa and the Middle East.   Monetaria annulus is called the "ring top" cowry because of the bright orange-colored ring on the back or upper side of the shell.  It was commonly used as shell money much like Monetaria moneta. Occasionally the ring part on its back would be hammered away, making it nearly indistinguishable from other money cowry species. Many shells of the species were found by Sir Austen Henry Layard in his excavations at Nimrud in 1845–1851. The shell was also introduced to Native Americans during and after the fur trade by European traders as a cheaper substitute for highly treasured elk ivory, for dowry, and for other uses as ornaments. SIZE:  Most of the shells will be around 3/4" long.  WEIGHT:  Each package contains 1/2 pound of shellsORIGIN:  Many of the world's oceans PICTURES:  The pictures are representative of shells in the