Date: Fri, 7 Feb 1997 19:08:01 +0000
Subject: Trader Admits Rare Shell Theft
Trader Admits Rare Shell Theft

MIAMI (AP) A shell trader accused of swiping a rare snail shell from a New
York museum pleaded guilty Thursday to selling it to a collector.
Martin Gill admitted taking the shell last year after he was asked to
appraise a collection for the American Museum of Natural History in New
York.
The rare Chimaeria Incomparabilis shell, 2 1/2 inches tall and about an inch
wide, is one of only six known in the world. Scientists didn't even know of
the snail's existence until a few years ago.
After swiping it, Gill advertised the shell on the Internet and sold it for
$12,000 to a Belgian dealer, who then sold it for $20,000 to an Indonesian
collector, authorities said.
Under the agreement filed by federal prosecutors, Gill agreed to pay
restitution for $12,000 he received and write the dealer he sold the shell
to, asking for his help in getting it back.
U.S. District Judge Donald L. Graham set sentencing for April 18.

http://64.233.179.104/search?q=cache:WblKR8k5O3YJ:www.museum-security.org/97/artcrime2.html++%22Chimaeria+incomparabilis%22&hl=en




>From: Marcus Coltro <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: Conchologists List <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: World's most expensive shell?
>Date: Thu, 22 Dec 2005 10:06:42 -0200
>
>The most expensive shell I've heard was a Cypraea (Chimaeria
>incomparabilis)
>from Somalia. It was sold at US$ 20,000 - but I am not sure if anyone would
>pay that price today.
>
>Marcus
>
>
>Marcus Coltro
>WWW.FEMORALE.COM
>
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