07-01-2009, 12:03 PM
Hi Guys (esp David)
My first post and quick background.
I'm a licensed WA specimen shell diver living in Perth. I generally collect non-endemic WA cypraea but I do have a small local zoila collection, with a smattering of Australian and world wide cypraea.
I've been collecting for around 30 years but sold off 99% of my shells a few years ago and started again.
Lately I've noticed on the cypraea market, that the classic cowies- aurantium, hirasei,leucodon, valentia etc have all plummeted in price- market forces I understand perfectly well.
But what about in the Conus world? I notced that conus gloriamaris is not the uber-rarity it once was. What else, once considered rare has become more available on the market? and for that matter what would you include on a list of "Classic cones"?
My first post and quick background.
I'm a licensed WA specimen shell diver living in Perth. I generally collect non-endemic WA cypraea but I do have a small local zoila collection, with a smattering of Australian and world wide cypraea.
I've been collecting for around 30 years but sold off 99% of my shells a few years ago and started again.
Lately I've noticed on the cypraea market, that the classic cowies- aurantium, hirasei,leucodon, valentia etc have all plummeted in price- market forces I understand perfectly well.
But what about in the Conus world? I notced that conus gloriamaris is not the uber-rarity it once was. What else, once considered rare has become more available on the market? and for that matter what would you include on a list of "Classic cones"?