Mappa question

[shellz]

Not sure if this is correct forum to post this, I apologize if I have the wrong forum.  My question is...

What is the difference between a mappa contraria and mappa subsignata?  To me, a map cowrie is a map cowrie, maybe clear pattern, maybe distorted pattern, maybe pink, or maybe some other color (green, red, purple), but it is still a map cowrie.

I noticed that mappa subsignata generally is dealer priced higher than a mappa contraria, and mappa contraria is dealer priced quite a bit higher than one tagged as just a map cowrie. The reason I ask is that I have a slightly unusual map cowrie whereby the top pattern is kinda hazy and not too clear, just wondering if it may be one of the two mentioned above. Thanks in advance.

[shellz]

Forgot to include a photo...
<img>http://img372.imageshack.us/img372/4876/mappads3.jpg</img>  <span class="petit">--Last edited by shellz on 2008-08-25 05:45:57 --</span>

[dave r]

Hi there. The Map Cowry comes in many subspecies, exactly how many depends on whose book you read! The price will differ depending on which subspecies it is, for instance a common Philippine map cowry <i>Mauritia mappa mappa</i> is only worth a few dollars/pounds/euros whereas a <i>M. mappa aliwalensis</i> from the Aliwal shoals of South Africa will cost big bucks because it is a lot rarer and harder to obtain.The same goes for some of the Pacific subspecies. If you log on to Felix Lorenz's website there is an article explaining the subspecies of <i>mappa</i>.
Hope this is of some help.
Dave

[shellz]

Thanks Dave R, I will check it out.