Any of several marine snail s (genus Cypraea ) found chiefly in coastal waters of the Indian and Pacific oceans.
Its humped, thick shell is beautifully coloured (often speckled) and glossy. That of the 4-in. (10-cm) golden cowrie was traditionally worn by royalty on Pacific islands. The money cowrie, a 1-in. (2.5-cm) yellow species, has served as currency in Africa and elsewhere.
Cowrie ( Cypraea )
Bucky Reeves from The National Audubon Society Collection/Photo Researchers
EB Inc.