This species was once considered the rarest of the strombs. It was originally known from a single specimen brought back to England from the Indian Ocean as early as 1620. It was not until 1869 that a second specimen was obtained from Ceylon. Subsequently, during the 1880's, four additional specimens turned up from Burma. Almost 80 years later in 1963, the shells habitat was discovered and additional specimens were collected . By the late 1960's, enterprising fisherman in Thailand and Burma had trawled up over 500 specimens. Despite this sudden availability, collectors were still paying as much as $1,000 a specimen. Today a decent specimen may be had for as little as $7.00.