Hi Mark,
         I have always opened the starting bid with a nonminal amount. About
10%
of the shells retail value.Let the shell be bid in increments of the starting
amount.
         Assign numbers, it makes for a cleaner operation when billing and
distributing
the winning bids.
         Run the auction in lots. Each lot to run about 1 hour.
         If you have any further questions, call me on Thursday, as I will be
away
on Wednesday.
                                                        Mel Springer