Cypraea Moneta (Noun)
Meaning
Cowrie whose shell is used for money in parts of the southern Pacific and in parts of Africa.
Classification
Nouns denoting animals.
Examples
- The cypraea moneta, also known as the money cowrie, has been used as currency in various cultures throughout history.
- In some Pacific Island societies, the cypraea moneta was used as a medium of exchange, attesting to its former value.
- In West Africa, the cypraea moneta was used for centuries as a form of currency, often in conjunction with other forms of money.
- Many museums exhibit cowrie shells including the cypraea moneta that played significant roles in the monetary systems of some ancient cultures.
- In several African and Pacific cultures the cypraea moneta was highly valued and utilized as a unit of exchange, as mentioned in some historical accounts.