Lots of vintage Fiji cowries uncovered in attic - photos - anyone help..?

[Bluegroove]

[img width=640 height=302]http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj136/wom_biddum_biddum/cowries.jpg[/img]

These were in our attic - collected by grandad when he visited the Fiji Islands in the early 1960s. I've photographed them next to a tape measure so you can get a rough idea of the size. They seem to be in absolutely fantastic condition.

We wondered if anyone could help us identify them? After initial explorations online, we think the top left one may well by cypraea schilderiana; the one next to it cypraea mauritiana; the next two possibly tigris... after that we've no idea!

Grandad's not well now and wants to sell these and other possessions he's accumulated to pay for medical treatment and some semblance of a comfortable life - it would be lovely if one or more of these was worth something! All your help much appreciated, thankyou very much.

[paul monfils]

Hello.  These are all very common shells, not worth more than a couple of dollars each, and in most cases less than that.

Top row:  C. tigris - C. mauritiana - C. tigris - C. tigris - C. talpa - Ovula ovum

Row 2: Oliva miniacea x4 - C. vitellus - C. lynx - C. arabica - C. vitellus - C. erosa

Row 3: C. vitellus x 2 - C. lynx - C. erosa - C. lynx x 7 - C. caurica

Row 4:  C. lynx x 2 - C. moneta x 3 - C. annulus (eroded) - (next 7 are not clear enough to be certain, see note below*) - then, C. annulus x 4 - C. caputserpentis

Row 5:  probably C. lynx - C. annulus x 16

Row 6:  all C. annulus

*  These 7 are not clear enough to be certain.  C. errones is most likely, but the smaller ones could be C. felina, and the largest one could be C. ovum.

"C." means "Cypraea", the genus of cowries.

[Bluegroove]

Brilliant stuff, many thanks for your help. We may put them on ebay as a collection so anyone who's interested, keep your eyes peeled!