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Considering that a complete, polished paua shell like those can go for $25 at a scrawny, undergrown 4-5" across its longest dimension, I can only hope the museum paid at least half what those enormous antiques are worth! Seriously--paua is uniquely vivid (the color isn't from dyes) among abalone species, collection is now tightly controlled, I think most of what's on the market is farmed, and those pictured include some HUGE specimens that look to be 10-12" at their longest dimension! Good thing Fred & Myrtle missed the huge interest & commensurate price surge, or that collection would've been parted out years ago.
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