Guinea 50-CAURIS (KM42)
Cowrie
Cowry (or Cowrie) are a number of different species of marine snail found in tropical waters. Their shells were used as money in areas of Africa. Images of them are found in cave paintings, and millions have been found in the tombs of the Egyptian pharaohs.
The denomination "cauris" is obviously a form of "cowry" in recognition of the original form of currency. There are 100 cauris to one syli.
This coin was issued one year only, and is the only circulating animal coin issued by Guinea.
All coin images in Daniel's Coin Zoo are from my personal collection. I collect, research, and personally photograph every coin displayed on this site. PLEASE do not take my images without permission. If you would like to use any coin image you see, just ask me. Thank you.
