Strombus taurus is still quite rare. Although you can see many of them at
any shell show, it is hard to find one which is not eroded or without
"worm attacks". According to the price you have to pay for one, it is
still considered at least "uncommon".
 
Oops, maybe not much of a help,
 
David
 
On Sun, 19 Apr 1998, Jeanafton wrote:
 
> The intro letter to this list suggested I introduce myself and tell of my
> interest in shelling.
>
> I was raised on a cattle ranch in the west and didn't know a cowrie from a
> cone until we moved to Saipan, Mariana Is. in 1970.  I collected shells there
> for 5 years and have a rather nice collection which I have never fully
> unpacked in the last 20 years.
>
> My main interest in joining this group, truthfully, was to find out if the
> Strombus taurus is still considered rare.
>
> But already I am reviving my interest in shells, by just reading your posts.
> Hope to stay a while.
>