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Southern Highlands, Papua New Guinea. Kina shells are highly valued cultural objects from the Southern Highlands of Papua New Guinea, traditionally made from the gold-lip pearl oyster.

They were important symbols of wealth and status and played a central role in ceremonial exchanges, including moka ceremonies. The modern currency of Papua New Guinea takes its name from these shells. A shell's value depends on its colour, size, and condition, with rich golden or reddish tones being especially prized. Kina shells were often worn as pendants or breastplates and decorated with woven fibres, bark, resin, pigment, or seeds.

Size: 21 cm (shell width) 19.5 cm (shell length).

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