A beautiful specimen of Luria cinerea personally collected from the Dry Tortugas, Florida. This attractive cowrie displays a rich tan to cinnamon coloration with delicate darker markings scattered across the dorsum. The shell retains excellent natural gloss and presents very well, making it a desirable addition to any cowrie or Gulf of Mexico collection.

Collected aboard the F/V AVA PILAR using baited commercial lobster traps set between 180 and 200 feet. Deep-water collected specimens from the Dry Tortugas are increasingly difficult to obtain and are highly sought after by collectors.

Specimen Data

Family: Cypraeidae
Species: Luria cinerea (Gmelin, 1791)
Common Name: Grey Cowrie
Location: Dry Tortugas, Florida
Method: Baited Lobster Trap (180–200 ft.)
Date: December 2025
Collector: Randy Rivera
Vessel: F/V AVA PILAR
Measures: 26.2 mm
TSC #: 0806CYP-TSC

Condition

Excellent overall condition with strong natural gloss, attractive coloration, and well-preserved margins and teeth. A clean collector-quality specimen that displays beautifully from all angles.

Please review all photographs carefully, as they are part of the description and condition assessment.

Grade: F+++

Collector Notes

The Grey Cowrie (Luria cinerea) is a desirable western Atlantic species that is not commonly encountered in this quality from deep-water commercial lobster trap operations. Personally collected Dry Tortugas specimens are becoming increasingly difficult to obtain, especially examples with excellent gloss and overall preservation.

Shipping

Your specimen will be carefully packed and shipped with tracking to ensure safe arrival.

Tortugas Shell Collection – Rare and unusual shells personally collected from the Gulf of Mexico and beyond.