I don't know if it got snatched in the ragged Flaggon, or if I sold it somewhere, but I have lost the coral claw. Is there some way to certify that you can get it back ( eg, shows up in Markath, or mages college ) or something? I am going to scour the forums, I haven't gotten the stupid helm yet..grr , a link to an explanation would be grand!

Nope, unless you remember where you last had it, it is gone for good unless you are on PC (where you can just add it via console commands).

I think you can find the claw in that dungeon as well just before you have to do the puzzle if I am not mistaken.

IF he already had it, it is gone from that location.

You can either get it from Birna or in Yngol's Barrow.

I will look it up now k?

If you pick up the claw in the barrow you can still apparently buy it from Birna according to UESP. I assume the op bought it first *sighs*

Op, next time just be careful where you put stuff like these ok? If you have a house put it in a chest in your house because those do not respawn.