Cowrie Shell, Asia, n.d.

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Object Details

Description (Brief)

One (1) small cowrie shell with two holes in top

Asia, n.d.

Description

Small seashells have many characteristics that make them ideal monetary objects. They are durable, portable, and difficult to imitate. One species of cowrie shell is known as the money shell because it was used so widely for this purpose. Shells circulated as a medium of exchange in Asia, Africa, Oceania, and North America.

Credit Line

Meryem S. and Raymond J. Hebert

date made

n.d.

ID Number

1986.0087.22

catalog number

1986.0087.22

accession number

1986.0087

Object Name

cowry shell

alternative currency

Cowrie Shell

Other Terms

alternative currency; Asia

Physical Description

shell, cowry (overall material)

white (overall color)

gray (overall color)

natural (overall production method/technique)

Measurements

overall: 1.45 cm x 1.1 cm x .65 cm; 9/16 in x 7/16 in x 1/4 in

place made

Asia

See more items in

Work and Industry: National Numismatic Collection

East Asian Coins

Exhibition

Value of Money

Exhibition Location

National Museum of American History

Data Source

National Museum of American History

Metadata Usage

CC0

Link to Original Record

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a9-0f10-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record ID

nmah_1066546