These are marine gastropod mollusks in the superfamily Cypraeoidea, the cowries and cowry allies. One silver coin was worth 10,250 cowry shells. Ancient China, Africa, and India used cowry shells. Bengal relied on shiploads of cowry shell imports from the Maldives. The Maldives received rice in exchange for cowry shells. The main currency was cowry shells. The Bengal-Maldives cowry shell trade was the largest shell currency trade network in history. Four cowry shells are used as dice. Juvenile cowry shells are not at all similar to adult cowry shells. Maldives provided enormous quantities of cowry shells, an international currency of the early ages. Many pieces of such jewelry are made of cowry shells and similar materials. All seven cowry shells are used in each throw. While traditionally played with 4 or 6 cowry shells, dice can also be used. The cowry is now the symbol of the Maldives Monetary Authority. He hides in a closet when Inspector Cowry (Avinash) knocks the door.