help it is realy C. nymphae ??

[luc234]

Good morning

Scuse my poor english. I have a Cypraea nymphae by a collection of the 1960s by a serviceman. It does not have tab with origin.
I would like to be sure of the species because it is the first time i see this species and for me it's incredible !

I want to be sure of the species if it's possible.

Thank's a lot for your contribution.

<a href="http://img2.imageshack.us/my.php?image=cypraeanymphae.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img2.imageshack.us/img2/9076/cypraeanymphae.th.jpg" alt="http://img2.imageshack.us/img2/9076/cypraeanymphae.th.jpg" style="border:0" /></a>
<a href="http://img2.imageshack.us/my.php?image=cypraeanymphae2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img2.imageshack.us/img2/4583/cypraeanymphae2.th.jpg" alt="http://img2.imageshack.us/img2/4583/cypraeanymphae2.th.jpg" style="border:0" /></a>

[dave r]

Hi there,it is not easy to see as the photos are not very big but it looks like it to me you lucky devil! If it came from a serviceman can you find out where he was stationed as this species only comes from the Chagos archipelago which is a British military base. It would be also useful to know the size of the specimen, most of the nymphae I have seen (and that isn't very many!)have been rather small, around the 40mm mark. The only other cowry it could be confused with would be C. eburnea which is usually larger, has different teeth and is from a different area (S.W.Pacific).
Dave

[luc234]

Thank you Dave for your answer, it is very possible it came from Chagos island, collected by the collector himself or by a friend serviceman.
the collection has more than 140 species of cypraea and this one is the rarest.
I have never seen one for purchase, what is the real price for this kind of shell ?
should i take an insurance ?

[luc234]

and it measures 4.7 cm.

[dave r]

Size would make it about right. Last time I saw one for sale it was slightly smaller than yours and I think it was priced at around $1500.
Dave