Ancient Stone carved cowrie - Chinese

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[Archaic: Cowries, Spades & Knives]

China - Green Bone i
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[ Archaic: Cowries, Spades & Knives ]

China - Ghost Face C
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[ Archaic: Cowries, Spades & Knives ]

Chine - Brown Bone C
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[ Archaic: Cowries, Spades & Knives ]

China - Ming Knife M
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[ Archaic: Cowries, Spades & Knives ]

China - Black C. Ann
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[ Archaic: Cowries, Spades & Knives ]

China - Square Foot
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[ Archaic: Cowries, Spades & Knives ]

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This has to be a premier example of an imitation cowry. Every detail has been reproduced in an open-backed cowry carved in stone! Thus it might be considered a very early form of man-made money, perhaps pre-dating the copper/bronze types. Also, this one shows evidence of having been colored (red ochre?).
This is 22 x 16 x 7 mm; 2.60 gm - Very Scarce with this intricate detailed carving.

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 ]