A general form for the shells of the Cypraea Moneta. The word comes from the Hindustani Kauri. The shells are abundant in the Indian Ocean and are collected especially in the Maldive and Laccadive Islands, and have been used in China as a medium of exchange from prim- itive times. They have been used in most parts of Asia and Africa up to very recent times. In Siam 6400 cowries are equal to about Is. 6d. English money. The Chinese name is Pei.

In the Bengal Gazette for 1780, refer- ring to the introduction of a copper coin- age, the editor states that, " it will be of the greatest use to the public, and will totally abolish the trade of cowries, which for a long time has formed so extensive a field for deception and fraud."

See Allan, Numismatic Chronicle (Ser. iv. xii. 313), and Elliot (p. 59).

Bowrey, in his Account of Countries Round the Bay of Bengal, published by the Hakluyt Society in 1905, states (p. 218) that there is a money of account in the Maldives, based on the Cowries, as follows : 1 Guuda = 4 Cowries. 5 Gundas = 1 Burrie, or 20 Cowries. 4 Burries = 1 Pone or Poon, or 80 Cowries. 16 Pone = 1 Cawne, or 1280 Cowries. 2 1/2 Cawne = 1 Rupee, or 3200 Cowries.