Cypraea sp. help

[grb]

Hi all,

Been trying to identify this (dead museum) specimen for the last hour or so with no success.

Any ideas? I thought some variety of C.onyx, but I can't see any with this blue uniform spot (rather than two bands). Location is around the Phillipines (best I can give for collection sorry) and size is approx 70mm.

<img src="http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh22/GRB8888/S5002537.jpg" alt="http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh22/GRB8888/S5002537.jpg" style="border:0" />
<img src="http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh22/GRB8888/S5002539.jpg" alt="http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh22/GRB8888/S5002539.jpg" style="border:0" />
<img src="http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh22/GRB8888/S5002538.jpg" alt="http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh22/GRB8888/S5002538.jpg" style="border:0" />
<img src="http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh22/GRB8888/S5002536.jpg" alt="http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh22/GRB8888/S5002536.jpg" style="border:0" />
<img src="http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh22/GRB8888/S5002535.jpg" alt="http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh22/GRB8888/S5002535.jpg" style="border:0" />  <span class="petit">--Last edited by GRB on 2010-05-06 14:15:41 --</span>

[paul monfils]

Cypraea mauritiana, apparently artificially polished

[lulu.shell]

Yes, top has been dipped in acid, you find the same thing with the so-called purple top tiger cowrie which is often advertised in gift shops.

[grb]

Thanks very much for the ID, I was really confused by this specimen.