Museum quality: giant mole cowry snail Cypraea talpa 81...

Detailed product description Short description For sale is an absolutely breathtaking, flawless showcase specimen of a mole cowrie shell (Cypraea talpa, often also listed as Talostolida talpa). The shell possesses an extraordinary, spectacular size of 81 mm, thereby surpassing the magical collector threshold for giant specimens of this species. The specimen has been classified with the rare top rating „GEM Grade“. This means it is in a completely fault-free natural state with no optical or structural defects. An absolute crown jewel for any discerning cowrie shell collection (Cypraeidae) with high value appreciation potential. Product details & highlights at a glance Species: Cypraea talpa (Linnaeus, 1758) Family: Cowries (Cypraeidae) German name: Mole Cowrie / Maulwurf-Porzellanschnecke Size: 81 mm (exceptional giant size / Giant Specimen) Condition / Grading: GEM Grade (highest achievable collector level; absolutely perfect) Surface: Mirror-smooth shell with a deep, glassy and pristine natural enamel sheen Coloring: Stunning, dramatic contrast – the dorsum shows beautiful, gold-brown transverse bands, while the base and margins are immersed in a deep, rich brown-black to jet black Origin: Tropical Indo-Pacific (deep-water find from coral-rich reef regions, usually under coral blocks at 10–30 meters depth) Condition description This specimen is an absolute rarity in GEM condition. The essential, natural gloss so crucial for cowries is 100% mirror-like preserved and shows no hairlines, dull spots, scratches or “growth lines.” The fine white teeth along the shell aperture are deep, sharply defined and stand in perfect contrast to the deep-black base. The piece has been extremely gently treated throughout its life, kept dark and dry in a high-end private collection. SKU Oberdiek Cypraea talpa 50

Estimate:£168.96

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