China - Green Bone imitation cowrie

November 2024

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Green bone cowries are scarcer than natural colored ones and are often well carved. The green color comes from being found in or near bronze burial vessels. That may be why they tend to be well carved, the fact they have been selected to be put into a bronze vessel, rather than just strewn around in the grave. This one has two small holes and is 32 x 21mm.

Moneta Library has articles on Cowries to VIEW and DOWNLOAD:
The Worlds's First Money, Chinese Cowries and Their Imitations - by Ted Puls: [ link ]
Cowries - Bob Reis: [ link ]
Origin of Cowries in Ancient China - UofPa: [ link ]
Metallic Cowries - Royal Asiatic Society: [ link ]
Nice Video on Cowrie history: [ link ]
An excellent article in ANA's "Numismatist" magazine, Oct 2017 > [ link ]
SEE how far back in time decorative sea shells were important to prehistoric man at his : [ link ]
Interested in Primitive Money? Then check out this YouTube video created by Kagins Auctions featuring Bob Leonard and Charles Opitz upon the massive sale in March 2021. Click this: [ link ]