Group of 9 Conus Currency Shells - Papua New Guinea

Currency conus shells from the Sepik River region of Papua New Guinea. These shells were used in trade and worn as an "adornment;" sometimes called 'women's money.'

Conus disks were not only used for personal ornamentation such as plaiting them into their hair, but also as marks of rank, marriage payments, land purchase and in ceremonies connected with the appointment of a new chief. Typically people from inland territories valued shells since they were rare.

Traditionally, beads of shell were strung on a fiber cord and were used as primitive money and as bride price.

As far back as the late 1700’s, ends of conus shells were cut & drilled. A canoe, a harpoon or a wife would cost 10-12 shells. The saying "how much did you shell out for that?" came from when people used shells as money!

They vary between 1 1/2" - 1 7/8", and are up to ¼" in depth.